HOLLYWOOD —Part III of “The Pacific” was much better than the previous episodes, which were excellent. This week the emotional toll the war obviously takes on people was evident in the faces of the men who are on the front lines of the Pacific theatre. Gone is the innocence these young boys arrived with and now they are becoming men, men who feel, who hurt and who love. The love for their nation and those they have left behind seems to be almost insurmountable, but through many of our grandfather’s and uncles and other relatives, we now know they were truly the greatest generation.

Physically and mentally debilitated after the four-month ordeal on Guadalcanal, Leckie, Basilone and thousands of their comrades land in Melbourne, where they are greeted by adoring crowds and viewed as the saviors of Australia. The faces of the soldiers seemed so awed by the love and admiration their presence had on the Australian citizens. Many WWII veterans have spoken warmly about this event and seeing Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg’s version of it was moving. It brought tears to a grown man’s eyes.

While his buddies carouse, Leckie becomes deeply attached to an Australian woman (Claire Van Der Boom) and her first-generation Greek family. This often occurred and was perhaps the only thing that will keep Leckie alive and sane during the harsh battles he’s about to wage against the enemy. Meanwhile, Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor and is asked to return home to help sell U.S. war bonds. I’m hoping that this miniseries will show how much stars in Hollywood such as Bette Davis, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Carole Lombard and legions of other Hollywood A-listers at the time worked to help sell U.S. war bonds.

This episode was brilliantly written by George Pelecanos and Michelle Ashford, while the episode was directed by Jeremy Podeswa.

I’m anxious to see where Sunday night’s gripping episode goes. The third was very realistic and a challenge to watch some of the very horrific scenes. As one viewer tells Canyon News, “It’s very hard to watch some scenes. However, it’s necessary. We must know our history and we need to respect and honor those who fought for our nation’s freedom and in WWII, those who saved the world from tyranny.”

Photography Courtesy: David James, HBO