Echo 3 – Season 1 Episode 9 “Scorched Earth” Recap & Review

Scorched Earth

The men that Prince and Bambi command make their way into the facility where Amber is kept at the start of Echo 3 episode 9. The path is tough and meddled with different challenges. Waterways, jungles, and s0preads of barbed wire welcome them. But they make it in the end. A party is going on and we hear the music blaring from the location. Our protagonists have divided the team into two units, with Bambi and Prince heading one each.

For the plan to be successful, they must ensure one thing: no sound. Since it is being carried out in the wee hours of the day, everyone is mostly sleeping. Prince’s team is tasked with clearing the path and eliminating any possible threats while Bambi’s men will target the holding cell to fetch Amber. Boal’s immaculate networking and groundwork ensure that the scenes are taut and manifest the high stakes of the operation.

Prince and his unit are able to neutralize most of the guards. When Bambi reaches the cell, Amber is nowhere to be seen. The team looks around but to no avail. The brother and the husband have contrasting reactions to this news when Bamgi communicates with Prince. While the former feels she is kept somewhere else, Prince seems defeated. He feels Amber has been executed but Bambi convinces him to soldier on. The panic button is hit when the units start firing at the locals and an armoured vehicle enters the premises.

But all of it seems to be very subdued since the American units are well-trained and exhibit their professional standards. They keep eliminating the locals without prejudice to preserve themselves. Under heavy firing, Prince spots a cell with women. To his disappointment, Amber is not in that place either. Troubles await the Americans as Graciela and the rebels quickly asses the attack and apprehend it to be for Amber. The big guns are brought out to eliminate the Americans. We take a brief hiatus from this war-like situation and shift our attention to Violeta and the reaction of the people of Colombia. Since the American units are sporting the badges of the Colombian army, the perception is that it is Colombia vs. Venezuela.

But the reporter knows it is not true and suspects Bambi and Prince behind the attack. We see some more action from the ground as both sides continue to display their weaponry and prowess. Prince tails Graciela, who is most probably running towards the place where Amber is kept. She might have instructions to eliminate her and it gives the men renewed hope. Despite their clever innuendo, the Americans are found out by the rebels. Graciela communicates the news that the assailants are not the Colombian army and something else entirely. Their focus has shifted from creating a political mess to making sure that the President and leadership know that Colombia is not involved.

Bambi too joins in the act and helps Prince. The men are able to break down the door and reach Amber. That embrace is too precious to watch and is a significant moment in the season. Amber is still under the effects of the drugs and has not been able to make sense of what just happened. All she knows is that she is safe and that her identity and government secrets are still intact.

The trio is able to successfully make their way outside the facility. The mission ends with the rescue and we see the facility being blown up after they leave. it is not certain whether other members of their units have survived or not. But Amber is finally out and they can have a moment of relief.

The Episode Review

This was what Mark Boal was building up to. Scorched Earth displayed his full talents in managing such depictions in this genre and it is worth every second. He creates a huge impact with Amber’s rescue mission and the last episode’s pumping up has surely worked here for Boal.

Huisman and Evans were incredible. They showcased their athleticism and brought a realistic touch to the rescue. Every department did first-rate work in this episode. We have now set up for an equally frenetic finale that will pose the challenge of getting out for our American trio.

The Venezuelans will fight back hard and it will be yet another close shave for the agency and our protagonists.