The episode opens with John Tonkin (Jack Barton) smoking a cigar. Sitting across from him, an anxious German soldier (Moritz Backerling) takes glances at him. The truck comes to a halt. The anxious soldier climbs out followed by another German soldier. A third German soldier orders Tonkin to get out. With his back turned to the others, the anxious soldier quietly sings while urinating. He asks God to forgive him for what he is going to do. Tonkin curses the soldiers. A soldier suggests he isn’t afraid. Tonkin takes a swig of schnapps. A soldier says they claim SAS is not human. Tonkin hits each of the soldiers and flees into the woods with the soldiers in pursuit. He hides in a ravine until the soldiers leave and takes off running in the opposite direction. The next day, Tonkin passes a scarecrow in a field.

Termoli, Italy October 7, 1943 – The SAS soldiers stand facing rows of fresh-marked graves as the church bell tolls. Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell) approaches and orders his men to stand at ease when he notices Johnny Cooper (Jacob McCarthy) is missing. Jim Almolds (Corin Silva) tells him Johnny is being treated for a fractured rib and concussion at the hospital.  Paddy says the raid at Termoli claimed the lives of 21 SAS soldiers and left many injured, including McLachlean. He tells his men that all soldiers taken prisoners have been executed. As he rants about them being liberated to be the dogs they are, Jim intervenes to remind him of why they are there. Removing his cap, Paddy reads off the names of three fallen SAS members before handing the list to Dave Kershaw (Bobby Schofield). The list is passed among the surviving soldiers until it reaches Jock McDiarmid (Mark Rowley) who refuses to participate. Bill Frasier (Stuart Campbell) reads off three names. Reg Seekings (Theo Barklem-Biggs) reads from the list before going off of memory. He calls out his own name. Dave demands he not add his name to the list. Reg says Dave’s full name and starts calling off the names of the remaining SAS members. When he says Paddy’s name, Paddy steps in front of him and dares him to say his name again. William “Bill” Stirling (Gwilym Lee) goes inside. Reg says Mayne and asks to be put on the front line where he won’t last a day. Paddy promotes him to Staff Sergeant. None of the other soldiers approve of Reg’s promotion. Jim stuffs a Bible into Reg’s pocket and orders him to leave while they sing. Reg walks away as Jim leads the men in singing “Abide with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte. Eve Mansour (Sofia Boutella) is standing quietly outside the building. Reg angrily clears dirt out of a hole, soon to be a grave.

A Long Way From Termoli – Tonkin estimates he is 320 miles from Termoli. Rubbing his hands together, he says a piece of cake and starts his journey. In Termoli, William orders Eve to return to Bagnara. She claims her editor said General Montgomery (Con O’Neill) is en route to Termoli to congratulate the SAS on resisting the German advance. She hands him an encrypted transcript confirming de Gaulle’s instruction for her to meet the representative of the Free French forces in Italy. He takes the transcript. She says the Free French forces will join the SAS in preparation for the liberation of France. She adds that Lieutenant General Dempsey (Edward Bennett) will tell him when he arrives with Montgomery. William wads up and throws the transcript at her feet. Retrieving it, she says it is classified and she will burn it. As he walks away, she vows to remain on the front line until they reach Paris where she will treat him to a bottle of champagne.

Forte Di Gavi P.O.W. Camp In Italy – David Stirling (Connor Swindells) turns up a bowl and drains the food into his mouth. He retches and shoves the bowl toward the door. Elsewhere, Tonkin is drinking from a pond when he hears an airplane. As he gets to his feet, two planes soar past overhead. He starts descending a hill. In Termoli, Paddy and his men drink and sing. Reg watches Matteo Omato (Luca Morello) aim his toy gun at him. Jim and Bill Fraser remain quiet as the others sing. Paddy tells Jim that he could order him to sing but he sounds like a camel. Jim says he is a camel carrying a heavy weight. Paddy asks if he is referring to his mortal soul before taking a seat beside Alfredo (Matteo Franco) who cannot speak English. Paddy excites a fight between Pat Riley (Jacob Ifan) and Alfredo over Alessia Biondi (Anna Manuelli). He periodically intervenes to keep them from using weapons. At the Forte Di Gavi P.O.W. Camp, David tries to break down the door. Elsewhere, Tonkin finds a dirt road. Back in Termoli, Alfredo and Pat are still battling it out under Paddy’s watchful eye. Dempsey and Montgomery are en route to Termoli. Johnny joins the others wearing a brace. Jock gets punched in the face. Elsewhere, Tonkin takes refuge over a ravine while two military vehicles pass. Back in Termoli, Jim tells Tonkin that Pat and Alfredo are fighting over Alessia. Just outside Termoli, Dempsey and Montgomery’s entourage are greeted by people standing along the roadside. William salutes and welcomes them to the SAS Headquarters.

Wearing a maroon beret, Anthony Greville-Bell (Stuart Thompson) fires several shots into the air to stop the fight. He informs them that their tan beret has been replaced and they must wear the new beret while on active duty per an order from GHQ. Paddy says they are in mourning and will not be doing anything right now. Anthony announces Dempsey and Montgomery will arrive in the courtyard within the next few minutes to inspect the troops. Jim starts buttoning his shirt. Anthony warns that any soldier not wearing the new beret will face charges. Eve tells Montgomery and Dempsey that General de Gaulle sends his congratulations on the success of Operation Devon. She expresses her desire for the SAS to train Free French soldiers in preparation of the invasion of her country, Algeria. She vows to push for the liberation of Algeria after France is liberated. Montgomery dismisses her. William leads them to the refectory, now the mess hall, to find it littered with alcohol bottles and trash. Finding a molar, Dempsey shows it to the others. Montgomery asks to meet the “wild beasts.” The SAS are lined up wearing their new maroon berets. William introduces them to Staff Sergeant Jim Almonds. Montgomery asks for his opinion of the new beret. Jim describes it as “elegant” but wasted on his head. Intoxicated, a battered Dave suggests a bucket could improve his head. Montgomery says he speaks with being addressed. Dave explains how SAS members are encouraged to speak if what they say will boost morale. Montgomery asks what if everyone speaks at the same time. Dave says it is settled in a fight, belches, and apologizes. Montgomery assures him that it worked. When asked, Regs says he is coping extremely well.

Montgomery approaches Paddy wearing a retired tan beret. Dempsey tells William that all the men wreak of alcohol. William says they just buried 21 comrades. Paddy expresses his disapproval of the maroon beret because it doesn’t distinguish them from the other British parachute regiments. He explains how their unit is different and operates with no Central Command involvement. Montgomery authorizes Paddy to continue wearing his tan beret before accusing him of ignoring his men’s mental health all for the sake of winning. He tells Paddy to wait for further orders. They salute each other. Paddy smirks. A short time later, William eavesdrop on Eve, Montgomery, and Dempsey’s conversation. She stresses the importance of the SAS and the Free French Forces working together. Montgomery recalls meeting her father who led the North African Brigade at Ypres. Dempsey asks what her father thinks of her with the SAS. Anthony tells him that Montgomery is late to depart. William blames Eve who is briefing Montgomery and Dempsey on how to liberate France.

Chieti Central Italy – Tonkin takes refuge from the rain inside a barn. He grabs a pail and starts to milk a goat as an armed Italian farmer (Thomas Tinker) barges him. A short time later, he is sharing a meal with the farmer’s wife and daughter when the farmer arrives. Tonkin asks how much they pay to help capture an escaped Allied soldier. A vehicle pulls up in front of the house. The farmer leaves to answer the door. Dropping his blanket, a nude Tonkin grabs a rifle as the farmer and Italian Driver (Amedeo Bianchimano) enter. The driver claims they want to help him. Tonkin puts the gun down and apologizes. Later, the driver drops Tonkin off and speeds away. Tonkin watches a military truck pull up and several soldiers emerge.

In Termoli, Eve tells William that she wants Montgomery to be truthful with her. She asks what he thinks of her. He professes to love his wife, but he cannot control his feelings for her. She expresses her admiration for him because he convinced Montgomery to allow the SRS to return to operating as SAS. She asks why he doesn’t tell Paddy that he is on his side. He says David believes Paddy needs someone to rebel against to function. Johnny delivers Montgomery’s orders to Paddy. Later, Paddy leads his men on a mission. They parachute in and quickly gather their gear. Anthony fractures three ribs. Paddy tells his men and Eve that it is a 2SAS operation. In pain, Anthony announces the unit will be divided into two groups, one led by Captain Dudgeon will head toward La Spezia. He will lead his group toward the north. Paddy suggests Alessia go with Dudgeon to keep her and Pat separated. Later, Dave and Anthony place a bomb inside a tunnel. Dave reports the train is due to arrive in 2 1/2 hours. Johnny is amazed with his ability. Dave claims to have picked it up while playing on the train tracks. They hear the train quickly approaching, grab their gear, and run to safety before the bomb explodes inside the tunnel. Elsewhere, Reg and several others blow up a train bridge. The SAS continue to detonate bombs along the railways and blow-up trains at the depot.

Tonkin is still trying to make his way back to Termoli. The SAS kill two Italian soldiers in the town of Sarzana. A man cutting fish is left uninjured. Paddy and his men raid what appears to be an Italian checkpoint. Reg places his muzzle on the Italian soldier’s forehead. Johnny urges Paddy to intervene. Dave demands Paddy order Reg to stop. Paddy tells Reg to do it because with his hatred, he is useless and when he gets home, he can tell Monica. Reg fires off a random shot and walks away. Paddy picks him up before they head out.

South of Montepulciano, Tonkin approaches a house where Daphne Reece Williams (Bianca Bardoe) is watering flowers. He says his sister was in the Guildford Pony Club with her. She remembers him as “Horrid Johnny.” He explains his situation. She leads him into the house. Elsewhere, Paddy and his men learn Captain Patrick Laurence Dudgeon, Corporal James Patrick Shortall, Parachutist Bernard Oliver Brunt, and Sergeant William Johnston Foster were captured by the Germans. They were the first SAS to be executed under Hitler’s Commando Order. Alessia and Alfredo were killed. Paddy and his men head home.

Forte Di Gavi P.O.W. Camp – Cram (Sandy Batchelor) unlocks David’s cell and tells him the Italian government has fallen and the guards are gone. Confused, David drops to his knees. Cram says they have 20 minutes to leave before joining the others in fleeing. The episode ends.

 

SAS Rogue Heroes Review

The importance of a diverse cast is less significant when the series is based on true people and true events, like in this case. The ample historical data and Ben Macintyre’s novel were available to pull ideas. Instead, the writer injected fictional plot lines and characters into real-life narratives and comprised the story’s integrity.

The pacing is off and the screen time is not utilized effectively. For example, the petty fight in the refectory dragged on and on. This screen time could have been dedicated to something more significant.

The tone should have been serious, considering the nature of the plot. It lacks intensity, depth, and suspense. A failed opportunity to tell the SAS story based on facts. The episode deserves a 4 out of 10.

Get more SAS Rogue Heroes recaps here. See what others are saying about the series by clicking the link. Check out our advertising packages here. Support our platform by clicking the link.