A different mood for this segment. Beginning with Vic receiving a letter that devastates him, causing his men to wonder about him in general -they don't know much about him. James Best arrives as a new trooper, fresh from hospital, but in his sullen mood Vic has no time for him.
Vic is assigned to capture a German for interrogation, and immediately Best turns out to be unable to walk, with Vic sizing him up as a coward. After a while the men become alarmed by the change in Vic's demeanor, with the show's suspense now centered around what the letter was about that so concerned our fearless leader. When Vic burns the letter, with Best watching him, the psychological study becomes overwhelming, especially as one's sympathy for Vic takes on a mysterious aspect.
With even Rick wondering what's wrong, it's compelling for the viewer on the level of a whodunit -what's driving Sgt. Saunders? What happened to the no-nonsense hero we have come to admire and love.
Out on patrol, Vic's troops are in great danger when the Germans overhear their radio call back to Vic and the recon on the Panzer division is successful, but a firefight on the way back home is devastating. It all leads to Vic telling Best off, accuising him of cowardice, which turns out to be true. Vic finally opens up about the contents of the letter and scares some gumption into Best, making for a solid life and death climax. Very well-done.