Masters of the Air – Season 1 Episode 2 “Part Two” Recap & Review

Part Two

Episode 2 begins in the grim aftermath of the unit’s failed air mission. Due to lack of visibility, CO Huglin scrubbed the mission, preventing the US planes from dropping even a single bomb. The unit suffered sizeable casualties. The assault from the much superior German jets also wreaked havoc. A lot of men are pounded and rendered unfit to serve in the immediate future. Bosser and Dickie suffer from frostbite, which will keep them from being on the planes as well. Besides the damage in the air, some men also suffered on the ground from a different kind of struggle.

Lt. Curtis Biddick is invited by Major Egan for an alcohol blowout in the wake of the mission. Egan is pained that he couldn’t be a part of it and contribute with his leadership skills. He laments the one who fell during the mission, also revealing that he is set to meet the new Commanding Officer, Colonel Harding, due the next morning (which Curt reminds him is in a couple of hours).

Harding is a little different than Huglin in his approach. He has a more laid-back attitude but is better at man management. The result of the meeting is that Egan is “demoted” to the position of Squadron Commander of the 489th, meaning he will fly in the next mission. When he breaks the news to Gale and Jack, he learns that the former met Harding before Egan did. Jack is disgruntled because it means he will now take Egan’s position. But the newly demoted commander is ecstatic. 

Three weeks pass and the dust has already settled. Our narrator begins the briefly forwarded timeline with a note of recognition for the ground crew. Washed of all glory due to the nature of their work, the crew is an important cog in enabling these high-risk missions. Repair work and planning are essential requisites for the “masters of the air” to work their magic. We are also introduced to Crew Chief Ken Lemmons in this narration, 19 years old but arguably the best at his job among the chiefs.

However, the attention quickly shifts to yet another tragedy. One of the planes crashes in the fields nearby, pegging the unit another man down. Reinforcements from Podington will not arrive until a few weeks from now, establishing an acute shortage of combat aircrewmen in the unit. On a night of revelry, before an impending mission order is dictated, we see men from the US Air Force clash with a few officers from the British RAF.

Despite being allies in this fight, they are at loggerheads in the heat of the discussion on the missions. While the Brits maintain that night missions are safer for the force, the Americans bemoan the lack of precision and clarity in that choice. The day missions result in more casualties on the side of the Americans, whereas the night missions produce more casualties on the targets. This snowballs into a “friendly riffraff” between the two factions, all in good humour but clearly establishing their differing philosophies.

The day of the mission soon arrives, promising loads of action ahead. The targets for the mission are submarine pens in Trondheim, Norway. Egan will lead the formation of the 100th. But his plane suffers a casualty even before they hit the air. Master navigator Joe Bubbles is rendered unfit due to sickness. Our narrator, Crossby, has to take charge instead. He isn’t ready but Bubbles has already set the maps, plans, and directions for the mission. With a lot of hesitation and trepidation, he boards the plane…and the planes go wheels up.

Crossby’s air sickness continues as he falls behind on navigational cues. But he recovers admirably to guide the formation into enemy territory. This time, the unit is able to drop the bombs successfully with a few setbacks. German artillery pulls a lot of challenges for the unit but they sail through smoothly, all except the plane piloted by Curt, which suffers multiple engine failures. It is clear they won’t be able to keep up the speed with the rest of the unit. 

German fighter jets are aware of the situation and try to pick them off. But Egan and Cleven ensure that they aren’t left behind. They intentionally lower their speed to match the wounded plane. Crossby stumbles through the navigational instructions to bring the unit back to safety. It is his brevity and quick action that allows Curt’s plane to land safely on the hills somewhere in Scotland. The others fly back to home base, safely marking a successful mission.

Crossby enthusiastically narrates to Bubbles the ordeal he suffered. He will surely be back for the next one but Crossby has made his mark. His antics have impressed Harding, ensuring his transfer to Major Everett Blakely’s crew full-time as the navigator in the tail. The success of the mission is celebrated by the unit with a night of drinking, dancing, and merrymaking, with Egan leading the charge. 

Curt informs Egan and Cleven that the crew is safe in some good samaritan’s home, who also happens to share a dislike for the Brits. The soldiers are in the middle of an impromptu bike race in the officers’ mess when the air sirens start ringing. They take shelter as we see the city of Norwich, located nearby, being bombed by the Germans. Egan and Cleven fear they could be next, although the former is the more hopeful of the two.  Their resolve to lead the men through the tough times remains strong.

The Episode Review

Continuing in the footsteps of the season opener, Episode 2 has a few more occasions of joy. The opener was not a one-hit-wonder, giving us firm hopes that Masters of the Air may well emulate the quality of its illustrious companion. Episode 2 brings into focus the main characters, separating them from the crowd. Although it isn’t a relishing thing to say, this certainly makes narrative sense, giving viewers a clearer picture of what’s going on.

Callum Turner and Austin Butler really get to sink their teeth into the portrayals, producing moments of sheer inspiration in the episode. Without resorting to flashy writing or jingoistic patriotism, the makers exact great impact with their storytelling. Apple TV has started the year off with a sure-shot blockbuster that has all the trappings of a classic.