Masters of the Air, a series of seven episodes, explores the dark missions and moments of the 100th Bomb Group. The series has seen the men of the 100th face numerous lethal missions, from Regensberg to Munster, and most recently, Berlin. However, the seventh episode skips over one mission, revealing even more of the bleak nature of the group. The 100th brings on replacements to take over the men lost in previous missions, with most of the original 100th having either been killed or captured as prisoners of war. The series continues to increase the danger of missions, with the 100th taking on Berlin in a mission called Black Monday. However, the episode does not reveal the previous battle, Black Thursday. Masters of the Air episode 5 depicts the Munster Raid in October 1943, followed by Major John Egan's capture as a POW and the impact on Lt. Col. Robert Rosenthal. The seventh episode jumps to March 1944, five months after the Raid, and highlights events like The Great Escape and Black Monday. However, it skips Black Thursday, a major battle the 100th fought in on October 14, 1943. Despite American efforts, German forces easily tracked and targeted the American bombers, resulting in the loss of 60 B-17s and the deaths of around 600 airmen. Masters of the Air may have skipped Black Thursday due to its similarity to other 100th Bomb Group losses during 1943. While Black Thursday is a notable example of the hard hits the 100th took, it does not stand out among other deadly missions they flew. The series could have included Black Thursday in episode 6, but it would have slowed everything down. Instead, it was important to focus on the cast's mental states and the fate of Major John Egan after the Munster Raid. A slower episode 6 added more to the story than another dangerous mission like Black Thursday.
Skipping Black Thursday is a good thing as it kept the story going and maintained some hope. The 100th Bomb Group's story is bleak, and including Black Thursday would have been an unnecessary addition to an already sad story. Masters of the Air should have avoided portraying Black Thursday, as it allowed the series to avoid getting too dark and used extra time wisely by exploring the emotionality of its characters. This helped audiences feel closer to the cast and set up for an intense ending. Black Thursday should be remembered.
Skipping Black Thursday is a good thing as it kept the story going and maintained some hope. The 100th Bomb Group's story is bleak, and including Black Thursday would have been an unnecessary addition to an already sad story. Masters of the Air should have avoided portraying Black Thursday, as it allowed the series to avoid getting too dark and used extra time wisely by exploring the emotionality of its characters. This helped audiences feel closer to the cast and set up for an intense ending. Black Thursday should be remembered.