OVER THERE - Iraq on TV

[dr_mabeuse]

Yeah, I know. I hate TV/movie discussion threads too, but I was wondering if anyone else was watching this series.

For those who've never heard of it, "Over There" is Steven Bochko's dramatic series on the FX channel about the Iraq war. People were very wary about it, thinking that Bochko would have a political axe to grind and make it either unrealistically pro- or anti-American (&/or pro- or anti-Iraqi)

I've seen the last two episodes, and so far I think they're doing a pretty good job. At least, when I think of what's going on over there, I pretty much picture things like this.

They had a pretty hokey bit about a GI who lost a leg going cold turkey on his morphine (one presumably 24-hour period of the pukes and shakes, and then fine), but the feel of the landscape, the wary interactions between the GI's and the Iraqi citizens, all seem to be pretty skillfully done.

Anyone else seen it? Or does the very idea turn you off?

 

[rgraham666]

Haven't seen it. (no cable)

But anything that shows war for what it is is all to the good in my opinion.

Now, if the series gets condemned by both Michael Moore and The White House we'll really know that they've got it right.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Well, that's the thing. You feel for the GI's, having to do a dirty and almost impossible job. You feel for the Iraqi people, their world turned into a free-fire zone. I can't say you feel for the insurgents, but you get to see what the American presence there must look like to them: tanks on the city streets, Americans with weapons everywhere, people stopped at random and asked to rpoduce papers at gunpoint.

Last night the GI's captured an Iraqi who knew where the insurgents were hiding 12 hijacked American Stinger missiles, which could be used to shoot down American helicopters. They showed how the terrorists try to hide behind the Geneva convention, and how the Americans were trying to get the information out of him without using actual torture (Abu Ghraib was mentioned several times.) It was pretty credible.

There's very little black and white. It's all pretty much morally gray.

All they're missing is the grand rhetoric of the politicians that started the whole fiasco.

 

[The_Darkness]

Well, that's the thing. You feel for the GI's, having to do a dirty and almost impossible job. You feel for the Iraqi people, their world turned into a free-fire zone. I can't say you feel for the insurgents, but you get to see what the American presence there must look like to them: tanks on the city streets, Americans with weapons everywhere, people stopped at random and asked to rpoduce papers at gunpoint.

Last night the GI's captured an Iraqi who knew where the insurgents were hiding 12 hijacked American Stinger missiles, which could be used to shoot down American helicopters. They showed how the terrorists try to hide behind the Geneva convention, and how the Americans were trying to get the information out of him without using actual torture (Abu Ghraib was mentioned several times.) It was pretty credible.

There's very little black and white. It's all pretty much morally gray.

All they're missing is the grand rhetoric of the politicians that started the whole fiasco.

I've heard nothing but ecstatic reveiws on the series...haven't seen it myself, but amid a crisis of "reality" TV shows and Court TV/Investigative shows, something like that is a welcome relief. The concept reminds me of the old Tour of Duty shows that came out in the 80's about Nam.

 

[Alfie Higgins]

I haven't seen the series, but I recently watched a movie documentary called Gunner Palace, that I think was generally apolitical about the war effort but which tried to show the real life of soldiers in Iraq.

In many ways it was pretty awful. Life ain't great over there for our soldiers for a number of reasons. For one thing, it's hard to tell who the enemy is. It's unwise to leave the barracks during your free time. It's hot, and dry, and generally not the garden spot of the world.

Not unlike some other documentaries and docu-drams recently (including Saving Private Ryan), the movie doesn't glorify war, it makes it real. The guys over there aren't having a great time, that's certain.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

We haven't got it on this side of the pond. I must say it sounds interesting and I'd be keen to see footage of how you guys (US Troops) are handling it now.
I was there with the Brit airborne when we crossed the border in 2003 and the initial interaction with Iraqi civilians was pretty good. They were wary of us, but the usual cigarettes and the stuff for the kids to break the ice helped.
Of course two years down the line and perceptions change, I don't have much idea of what it'd be like now, and I must admit I wouldn't be too keen to find out. Those days are over for me.

 

[OX2]

I spent 15 months in Iraq. I watched the first 10 minutes and turned it off. It sucked. It was very un-realistic. It only met the expectation of civilians because the media has already programmed you to expect this.

Nobody talks like that. Most of us vets thought the first episode sucked. I can't explain combat to you, that a lot of the deep thoughts you have you keep to yourself.

I got pissed off at a FOX reporter because he was putting words in my mouth. He was asking me if I thought the Generals and Colonels should be doing my mission or some shit. Dude I got 17 years in the Army you think I want some officer looking over my shoulder?


Bottom line They gotta make money off the war. And the best way to do that is to cash in on the "Soldier as Victim"


Think on this, if it was so bad how come guys are re-upping in record numbers? Soldiers bitch, but in reality they'd rather go to war and fight then hang out in garrison. I've been back for a year and am fighting to get back there.

But We are getting tired. Tired of Democrats whining and not supporting us. Talking out thier ass calling us nazies and Commies and such. You have to see bad to Know bad. I've seen BAD GUYS. ANd they are all on the other side.

But we are getting tired of lifting and carrying the water for a whole country that says "support your troops" and all we get is a pat on the back and somebody saying "better him than me".

I'm getting on my soap box. You don't have to be brave to be a soldier, just disiplined and dedicated.