By Kofi Outlaw

One thing I never expected THE UNIT to tackle so well was the psychological aspect of being in a life-or-death combat situation. It’s the kind of deep, probing examination I pretty much figured to be reserved for documentaries and Oliver Stone films. However in this week’s episode that examination was the central theme of a well-plotted, well-acted and generally pleasing bit of TV.

Bob, Mack and Hector were on assignment in the war-torn African city of Abidjan, tasked with guiding a U.S. Diplomat, his family and colleagues from an embassy to an extraction point where they would be picked up by U.S. Soldiers. With rebel insurgents on patrol, and the city being shelled with mortars, time was short. Bob broke off to locate a young U.S. official, his wife and infant child, while Mack and Hector inadvertently led their charges into the middle of a mine field—a fact they realized only after one of the charges, stricken with panic, got himself blown up real good. Mack and Hector were faced with a serious dilemma: take the time to slowly, properly navigate the mine filed and risk getting shot by rebels; or hightail it through the field and risk getting blown to bits. Opting for safety, our heroes tried to take things a step at the time, without losing control of their panicked charges.

Back at home, Jonas tried to enjoy some R&R time with wife Molly and daughter Betsy, only to have the latter drop the bomb that she had quit college and planned to join the Army, like her father. Molly was distraught; Jonas, as always, had a plan and drove his daughter out into the woods with nothing but a grunt’s supplies (knife, poncho, boots, backpack, etc.,) for a bit of pre-boot-camp boot camp. At first Betsy was overwhelmed, but, being Jonas’ daughter to the core, she quickly rose to the occasion, demonstrating that she had the tenacity and will to be a soldier. In genuinely touching moment, Jonas confessed to his daughter that he would not trade her for any son in the world (sniffle.)

Meanwhile in Abidjan, the situation was deteriorating by the second. Bob located his charges and caught up with Hector and Mack’s group at the minefield. Seeing their predicament, Bob tried to provide cover so his teammates could navigate the deadly terrain, however the young official (Bob’s only other gun in the situation) was having a hard time finding his stones. After being slapped around by Bob and chastised by his wife a bit, the young man got it together and pulled his weight, fighting off rebel insurgents with a pistol and Molotov cocktails.

In the minefield Mack and Hector tried to keep their group focused, only to be criticized and questioned by the pompous Diplomat at every turn. After the loss of another civilian (the Diplomat accidentally dropped her on a mine, oops,) Mack barked everyone into line until the Calvary arrived with mine detectors to save the day.


This was a wonderfully tight episode. No matter who the scene was focused on, the resounding theme of ordinary people navigating extraordinary situations was clearly and deftly articulated—whether it was Bob trying to get the young official to do what he had to do to protect family and friends; Mack explaining to his charges that heroism sometimes meant being prudent and smart, rather than gun-ho; or even Betsy, learning step by step the techniques and mental fortitude needed to be an excellent soldier. Emotions ran high and resounded with viewer, and execution of the plot was plausible and interesting.

Bravo, THE UNIT. Hopefully someone in your camp will remember this episode come time for those Emmy submissions next year.