In the second episode of the Hanks and Spielberg series Band of Brothers, D-Day has arrived, and all Hell is breaking loose. Explosions knock down Allied planes, gunfire blankets the night sky, and men are being killed off one by one in every direction - both in the air and on the ground. The opening to "Day of Days" is an unforgettable sequence that will stick with you; men are cremated as their planes catch fire and plummet to the earth, while the brave soldiers of Easy Company parachute to the ground, hoping to avoid certain death. The panicked faces of the men of Easy Company with Richard "Dick" Winters' calm and calculated demeanor, complement each other in a very interesting manner. Winters is someone who, under pressure, manages - or at least tries - to stay sane and in control, despite being terrified.
The episode does not focus entirely on the Normandy landings. Soldiers are scattered across the region, and we see familiar faces try to make it to their designated rendezvous points; then, there is a very well-executed scene which takes place during the day, involving some of the men taking part in an attack on a German stronghold.
"Day of Days" truly has it all. The only minor complaint that I have, is that this episode could have built upon several of its smaller character moments immediately following the dropping of Easy Company, whether for additional development or for pacing purposes, as the script does jump between men ineffectively. Things never get truly fleshed out properly among the characters, leaving room only for disorientation and a sense of misplacement. One could argue that this structure adds a necessary layer to the unfolding events, but the narrative is quite clear from the chaotic nature of the episode's opening moments. The characters we do see are subject to brief encounters with their companions that contribute very little to not just the story, but to the overarching themes of the entire series. There are much better examples of character interactions within this show, particularly in the next episode, "Carentan," between the traumatized Albert Blithe and a screaming Winters. "Day of Days" could have been stronger on this front towards the beginning, but this is the smallest of complaints.
Overall, "Day of Days" is a very impressive episode that has withstood the test of time, particularly in terms of its special effects. The visuals are slowly being outdone, both in film and television, but there's never a point in time where something looks unbelievable. Instead, we get a story told with heart alongside bold, well-orchestrated action sequences.
The episode does not focus entirely on the Normandy landings. Soldiers are scattered across the region, and we see familiar faces try to make it to their designated rendezvous points; then, there is a very well-executed scene which takes place during the day, involving some of the men taking part in an attack on a German stronghold.
"Day of Days" truly has it all. The only minor complaint that I have, is that this episode could have built upon several of its smaller character moments immediately following the dropping of Easy Company, whether for additional development or for pacing purposes, as the script does jump between men ineffectively. Things never get truly fleshed out properly among the characters, leaving room only for disorientation and a sense of misplacement. One could argue that this structure adds a necessary layer to the unfolding events, but the narrative is quite clear from the chaotic nature of the episode's opening moments. The characters we do see are subject to brief encounters with their companions that contribute very little to not just the story, but to the overarching themes of the entire series. There are much better examples of character interactions within this show, particularly in the next episode, "Carentan," between the traumatized Albert Blithe and a screaming Winters. "Day of Days" could have been stronger on this front towards the beginning, but this is the smallest of complaints.
Overall, "Day of Days" is a very impressive episode that has withstood the test of time, particularly in terms of its special effects. The visuals are slowly being outdone, both in film and television, but there's never a point in time where something looks unbelievable. Instead, we get a story told with heart alongside bold, well-orchestrated action sequences.