Cairo June 1941 – The episode begins with Eve Mansour (Sofia Boutella) visiting Colonel Dudley Wrangel Clarke (Dominic West) who is dressed in women’s attire. He informs her that she is at the Cairo Headquarters of British Secret Intelligence Middle East. Gulping down a beverage, he says, “Fun, isn’t it.”

An unconscious Lieutenant David Stirling (Connor Swindells) is transported to a hospital for treatment. Dr. Gamal (Amir ElMasry) scans the list of patients. Nurse Indira (Nisrine Adam) brings his attention to Stirling.

Clarke suggests Eve’s surprised by him. She claims nothing in Cairo surprises her except his Chanel dress. After saying the dress came from Paris, he describes her as “beautiful.” When he admits to wishing he was French, she tells him that she’s Algerian, not French. He asks how it’s her war. She says her strategy is to protect Africa from the Nazis. He says if she’s a spy, her boss is a heroin addict and drunk. She assures him that she knows how to negotiate to avoid his idiocy. He suggests they keep the Anglo-French intelligence operations in Cairo a secret. She agrees before he hands her a copy of his Plan “Abeam” file.

While sticking a needle (possibly a pin) in the tip of Stirling’s great toe, Gamal asks if he’s experiencing pain. Stirling admits to having regret if he dies in his current condition.

While looking through some photos, Even tells Clarke that it appears as if he created an entire British commando. He admits to utilizing wooden planes and actors for the soldiers in his photos. He informs her of how a copy will make its way to Berlin tomorrow morning to alert of a new British parachute battalion in East Libya. He says the Italians will respond to the British troops behind their lines with their own troops. He suggests the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East, General Auchinleck will dispatch three British divisions to attack the nearly defenseless right flank. He contributes the win to his own genius before giving her the copy to spread about. Placing the file on the table, she claims to have a “rather wonderful” strategy with real soldiers.

Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) is in a makeshift shower when Eoin McGonigal (Donal Finn) informs him of Stirling’s disastrous jump due to a torn parachute. Paddy asks if Stirling died. Eoin tells him that it’s touch-and-go. Paddy says Stirling like him so he’ll go to his funeral if he dies.

Stirling has flashbacks of his failed parachute jump. Stirling’s mother (Kate Cook) describes his boyhood optimism of gravity as idiotic.

Stirling tells Jock Lewes (Alfie Allen) that his mother believes he’ll be one of the five spinal contusion patients to walk about. Scanning Stirling’s plan, Lewes describes it as “intelligible.” Stirling tells him how he believes a grouse feather is a confirmation. Lewes suggests inquiring about his medicine because he isn’t making sense. Stirling says the grouse are Italian and German airplanes which they’ll shoot before they take flight. After informing him that GHC shut down their parachute experiment, Lewes says he’s returning to Tobruk and Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) to Burma. When Lewes suggests he’ll be returning to Scotland, Stirling assures him that the three of them will go poaching when he recovers.

Gamal says he’s in possession of intelligence from a long-range desert group before dropping it on the floor several feet away. Stirling calls him a “bast**d.”

Eve informs Clarke that General de Gaulle approved her to converse with him about a specific matter.

Stirling haphazardly walks on crutches in hopes of accessing the intelligence file.

Eve tells Clarke that the so-called actors in his photos are French paratroopers who fled the country ahead of the Nazis. She claims General de Gaulle wants them to join the British ASAP. He asks why tell him. She suggests the British could utilize the help because they’re on the losing end of the war.

Stirling falls within inches of the intelligence file knocking it farther away. He finally gets the file.

After assuring Clarke that the British High Command listens to him, Eve tells him to recommend an operation that needs soldiers who speak French. He reminds her that his area is creative formulation. They flirt back and forth before she suggests helping each other with their regiments. Handing over the “Abeam” file, he says,” Viva le France.” She says, “God save the King.”

Nurse Indira congratulates Stirling before suggesting he do it again.

Eve and Clarke hit the dance floor.

11 Commando Camp Heliopolis, Cairo – While playing chess, Eoin suggests Paddy speak with the Captain. Paddy tells him that the Captain “gets his goat.” Eoin warns him to not do anything that will jeopardize them going to Burma. After reminding him of his briefing, Captain in Mess (Jo Stone-Fewings) orders Paddy to get a shave. Pointing at the chessboard, Paddy says his friend’s in check. The Captain grabs him and orders him to his feet when Paddy grabs his crotch. Paddy smashes his head into the piano before throwing him into a table. Eoin says Burma would have been nice.

Ghadzi Military Prison –  Stirling hobbles his way to Paddy’s cell. Paddy asks what he wants. Stirling asks if he ever shot grouse. Paddy assures him that the “land-owning, gentrified, boy buggering toffs” would never invite him to shoot grouse. He says the grouse feather can be utilized to write his poetry in his own blood. Stirling reminds him that he’s no longer going to Burma. While Paddy quotes a poem, Stirling tells him about a regiment with no one to answer to. Paddy asks if GHC approved the regiment. Stirling says they’ll shoot airplanes before they take flight. When Stirling admits to there being no GHC approval, Paddy suggests it’ll never happen. Stirling says if agrees to join, he’ll need to make an oath to not hit the commanding officer which will be him.  Paddy asks why him. Stirling sarcastically says because he would write history in his own blood.

Stirling assures him that he’ll be released if he agrees to join the regiment. Paddy asks how he’ll make it happen. Stirling says the men in charge of the British army are the “landowning, gentrified, boy bugging toffs that shot grouse on his father’s estate.

Two Weeks Later Garden City Cairo British GHQ– Stirling tells the GHQ Gate Guard (Freddie Bowerman) that he’s there to see General Sir Claude Auchinleck (Adrian Lukis). When the guard asks for his pass, Stirling says he doesn’t have one. The guard tells him to “fu** off.” Stirling says his message is General Archibald Stirling always accommodated Auchinleck when he stopped by unannounced. After Stirling is denied entry, the guard checks in a truck when he notices a crutch propped against the wall. The guard orders the driver to stop. Stirling retrieves his crutch before passing through the gate.

Stirling notices two guards standing at the bottom of the stairs. He props his crutches against a wall before telling a guard that Auchinleck demands to know when the noise will stop. The guard tells him that it’ll be completed by midnight. Stirling suggests a crate of wine may appease Auchinleck. He claims to have a gift for Auchinleck from General Ritchie. When the guards ask for his pass, he tells them to take a bottle as ascending the steps. He orders GHQ Corporal (Tom Claxton) to carry the crate of wine. On the third floor, he informs the GHQ 3^rd Floor Guard (Dean Coulson) that two bottles of wine were stolen from the crate. The guard assures him that the theft will be investigated. The Corporal says his security pass is at his desk. Stirling addresses him when the guard says he recognizes him. He reminds him that enlisted men need to have their security pass on their persons all the time.

When Stirling claims to have a gift for Auchinleck from Ritchie, the officer identifies himself as General Ritchie (Michael Schaeffer) before asking for his security pass. Stirling reminds him of how he and Auchinleck shot grouse on his father’s estate. Ritchie admits to recognizing him. Stirling suggests he has a strategy that may help them win the war. When Ritchie demands to khow hoe he got pass security, Stirling says through deception, the same way the British can clear Rommel’s security. Ritchie informs Auchinleck of Stirling’s visit. Stirling says it’s possible that Rommel made the mistake of moving too quickly. Ritchie says this from the boy who fell out of trees.

As Auchinleck enters the room, Stirling assures them that he only needs their approval and 60 men of his choosing. Auchinleck accuses him of trying to become a war hero like his father. Stirling denies the allegations. They continue to discuss Stirling’s strategy to prevent the Germans from reaching Cairo. Looking at his plan, Auchinleck says he writes like his father. Ritchie informs them that the British cannot spare resources for a “wild experiment.” Stirling suggests they steal everything from their allies before wagering them 100 pounds that more allied grounded airplanes will be decimated than the RAF decimates in the air.

Stirling meets Clarke per GHQ’s order. Clarke shows the SAS uniform that he designed. Stirling asks who are the SAS. Clarke says he is the SAS, his very own ghost regiment. After informing him that GHQ doesn’t have faith in his strategy, Clarke accuses him of trying to make history like his father and grandfather. He warns him that the ghost regiment, SAS is his only option before saying he needs an answer in 24 hours. When Stirling gives his answer, Clarke baptizes him as “L Detachment, 1^st Brigade Special Air Service.”

Lewes informs Pat Riley (Jacob Ifan) and Jim Almonds (Corin Silva) that Stirling asks if they’re willing to repeat the parachute “fu*k-up.” They both agree to do it.

Eve orders a drink for herself and the Captain. Stirling asks how she found out that he’s a Captain. She tells him that they have a mutual plan. He assures her that Clarke is no friend of his. She says he can be useful to her with his own regiment and permission to recruit men. He asks the waiter to bring his bill. She tells him that research shows that the average time it takes for strangers to have sex in Cairo is 1 hour and 14 minutes. He asks what is her business. She claims General de Gaulle tasked her with finding French paratroopers to assist a British unit in combat missions. After comparing his men to himself, he says the grouse is “bred to be shot, born to be killed” like Clarke describes SAS. She asks if his men have a fear of dying. He says men with an ego are no use to him.

Eve suggests they complete their business in 45 minutes because one hour and 14 minutes is such a waste. He asks if she’d have sex with him for France. She admits to liking him. Clarke watches from a car nearby.

Paddy fights with Sergeant Reg Seekings (Theo Barklem-Biggs). When the boxing referee (Jonas Senhadji) intervenes, he’s knocked out.

Paddy informs Eoin that he was charged with another fence for boxing. Eoin warns him that they could strip him of his rank. Paddy says yes. Eoin says GHQ approved Stirling’s plan which already has a name, “L Detachment, 1^st Brigade Special Air Service.” He says he’ll join when he does.

Paddy says the parachute jumping will be assimilation since they don’t have an airplane. A young soldier asks how it works when Paddy shoves a soldier out of the truck. Paddy points out that the soldier forgot to roll.

Stirling interviews Johnny Cooper (Bobby Schofield) for SAS. Johnny tells him that SAS might help him increase the 21 men that have died at his hands. Stirling asks why is he interested in fighting in the desert. Johnny suggests there are fewer places for the enemy to hide from him in the desert.

Dave Kershaw (Bobby Schofield) tells Stirling that he loves to kill fascists.

The soldiers practice by jumping out of a moving truck.

Bill Fraser (Stuart Campbell) and Peter Mitcham (Nicholas Nunn) join SAS.

A soldier begins to trip as he prepares to jump. Paddy kicks him out of the truck. The soldier is returned to his unit.

Rob Willey claims to have slept with 12 women. Stirling accepts him into SAS.

Lewes creates a successful bomb.

Eoin has a successful jump. When Paddy hits the ground hard, he admits it feels like home. Eoin suggests they jump again.

The new SAS regiment receives an introductory document. Stirling explains individual pages when the soldiers laugh. He informs them that they must fill in the blank pages.

Clarke tells Even that SAS was dispatched to Kabrit, about 200 miles behind Italian and German lines. She asks what are the odds they’ll survive. He says there are no tanks, air cover, or armored vehicles, only one or two trucks. He assures her that the men are very resourceful. She asks what are the odds that they’ll survive till Christmas. He says, “10 percent.” She describes the war as “curious” before leaving.

Paddy suggests to Eoin that they leave for Burman. Stirling tells the soldiers that they leave when the vehicles are returned to Cairo. All the soldiers opt to stay in Kabrit. They unpack the trucks as the episode comes to an end.

 

SAS Rogue Heroes Synopsis

British spy, Eve hooked up with cross-dresser, British Secret Intelligence officer, Dudley Clarke. They agreed to work together while telling no one about the Anglo-French Intelligence operations in Cairo.

Gamal discovered Stirling among a group of injured shoulders. Stirling wasn’t able to move his legs after a failed parachute jump. His mother assured him that he’d be the one out of five spinal cord injury patients to recover.

Clarke believed his “Abeam” strategy would put Britain in a position to win the war. When he got wind of the Stirling and Lewes’ parachute regiment, he form SAS L Detachment, 1^st Brigade Special Air Service.

Gamal pushed Stirling until he got back on his feet. Stirling visited Paddy who was locked behind bars, again. He informed him of his plan that would allow a special regiment to destroy German airplanes while they were still grounded. He explained the process would be similar to shooting grouse.

Eoin told Paddy about Stirling’s injury following the parachute jump. After attacking a Captain, Paddy was thrown back in jail where he received a visit from Stirling. Paddy isn’t sure Stirling’s special regiment will be approved. Stirling promised to get his charges dropped if he agreed to join his regiment. First, Stirling would need to get approval from GHC.

Stirling conned his way to General Auchinleck’s office. He pitched his idea to General Ritchie and Auchinleck, both men hunted grouse at the Stirling estate. Ritchie told him upfront, the British military didn’t have resources for his regiment. Stirling assured him that it wouldn’t be necessary because the resources would come from their allies. He validated how much he believed his plan would work when he wagered 100 pounds the regiment would take out more of their allies’ plans than the RAF.

Clarke met with Stirling to discuss SAS. Stirling is given 24 hours but only needs a few minutes to decide if he wants to join SAS.

Lewes invited Riley and Almonds to join in for another parachute jump. They both accept the offer.

Eve met with Stirling after Clarke told her about SAS. She seduced him to have sex with her in less than 1 hour and 14 minutes.

Paddy found him facing three years in prison and losing his rank after a boxing fight.

Stirling picked 60 soldiers before SAS is dispatched to Kabrit.

 

SAS: Rouge Heroes Review

The episode could have been better if the dialogue wasn’t so repetitive. Stirling’s grouse story got old pretty quickly.

I question why Eve would be so open about being a spy. Wouldn’t she want it to remain a secret to keep a target off her back?

The show doesn’t go in-depth about why Clarke dresses in women’s clothing. It felt a bit strange when Eve tried to seduce him.

No improvement in the cinematography. It’s difficult to identify specific details due to poor lighting.

The episode deserves a 7. Get more SAS: Rouge Heroes recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.