China Beach: Season 4

incredible show

Truly the "Icing on the Cake", as this final 4th season of China Beach, wrapped the series up in a very satisfactory manner. To those who may have read my previous reviews of the other seasons, I was really looking forward to these final episodes. I served in an Army Aviation unit just an hour or so away from China Beach, during the 1970-71 period. I was favored to know some of the actual personnel who worked in the surgical hospital there, and in another medical facility across the runway from my unit. All of those folks deserve many accolades from the men (and their families) for the treatment given to them at those two places of succor. I wish that all of the people who were around back in the 60s and 70s, who thought that those of us who served were to be treated as pariahs upon our return, would watch this series and reflect upon what they did. I personally was not treated too badly, primarily because I went straight to Germany upon leaving Vietnam. I was still wrapped within a mostly military community, and did not need to contend with the BS that was thrown the way of other Vietnam vets. Of course, we heard what was going on back in the States, and we could empathize with our brothers and sisters on the home-front. Most of the animosity has died off in today's atmosphere, and I am certainly gratified to see how the troops are greeted upon their return from the Middle Eastern conflicts. War is not a good thing! The nation should never do again, what happened in Vietnam, and the veterans of all the actions in which our troops are engaged, should not be blamed for answering the call, and serving. If blame and anger need to be directed at someone, it should be toward those who felt the need to send our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines into the fray. I send my best greetings to those with whom I served, and my prayers to the 58,000 plus who were killed in action during the war. May they rest in peace.

If you're of "a certain age," this series will leave you in tears, from opening shot to the end. This is not a comfortable thing, but a deeply cleansing one. Whatever you thought - or think - about Vietnam, it had its heroes. I was mistreated for wearing a uniform back then. I don't hold that against most of them . . . it was a tough time for all of us, and we all had to face the elephant in the room. This show gave us permission to recognize our heroes and move on to other conflicts with a clearer head. China Beach served its mission, and is now collecting grandchildren and Social Security. I wouldn't say this is for everyone, but it you're reading this review, it is a show that will not disappoint.

So glad to be able to collect this series

A good series better than mash

The best feature of the DVD collection are the back stories of the series. To hear the cast and creator talk about the making of China Beach was worth the price of the set. In addition, the anniversary reunion of cast and crew brought them together for interviews based on their recollections about being a part of something they knew was extraordinary. That they relied on the actual experiences of Army nurses spoke to the realism they wanted portray alongside the dramatic storylines and bits of humor. Both the war and the personal impact on those who were there were poignant and helps the viewer understand that there are no winners in war.

This season can be a little disconcerting as they go back and forth in time in odd intervals. I’d have to stop and think; this part is a prequel, this part is a few years later, this part is a year later, this part is 3 mos. later, this episode is 20 yrs later.Several extremely moving scenes that will rip your heart out, but so worthwhile especially as it’s now 50 years from the period portrayed.

This is the season which I anticipated, hated and loved at the same time. The writers did an excellent job at telling the story. Dana Delany played the role like no other. I was crushed by a couple of scenes which hurt, but strengthened my respect to the writers for the realism. Its funny how you find the hero in a story more compelling as you see the weaknesses and frail moments the character experiences. I shed a tear in that moment of weakness for C. McMurphy. Wow what an experience watching this series was. Kinda wish there was book. Any chance of getting the script anywhere.