Generation Kill - Channel Four pace - Cult

Blake Connolly · 07-10-2009, 23:39

Couldn't see a thread on this, anyone else watching?

Absolutely brilliant so far. The quality of the writing is as high as I'd expect after watching The Wire, and visually it's very impressive too.

http://twitter.com/Generation_Kill has been useful for keeping up with some of the military terms.

Love the fact that The Godfather listens to cricket!

David McMahon · 08-10-2009, 00:17

Wow what a show, and so pleased the Wire has a spiritual successor

You know this means there are two good shows in row on C4 Wednesday night, this and True Blood I like the contrast between them

Ghost World · 08-10-2009, 00:24

It's a brilliant show. I saw it when it aired on FX, but I'm rewatching it in HD now it's started on Channel 4.

Bamberella · 08-10-2009, 07:58

I'm re-watching it today but why is it so damn late? I'm so sleepy today

why spend money in amazing shows that you gonna bury late at night? why not spend a bit more marketing those shows?

The Boat · 08-10-2009, 10:25

Corporal Josh Ray Person:

Quote:

Dear Frederick, thank you for your nice letter, but I am actually a US Marine who was born to kill whereas clearly you have mistaken me for some sort of wine-sipping Communist dick-suck. And although peace probably appeals to tree-loving bisexuals like you and your parents, I happen to be a death-dealing, blood-crazed warrior who wakes up every day just hoping for the chance to dismember my enemies and defile their civilizations. Peace sucks a hairy asshole, Freddy. War is the mother****ing answer.

Brilliant

Spacedone · 08-10-2009, 11:14

I enjoyed the first episode and I'm glad to see that Channel 4 are showing both Generation Kill and True Blood on their 4OD website (BBC take note!).

mirandashell · 10-10-2009, 14:31

Ah! Thank you for the pointer as to who the Godfather is! I've only watched the first one and found it difficult to sort out who was who. But then, I had this problem with the start of The Wire so am willing to stick with it.

Ghost World · 10-10-2009, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirandashell

Ah! Thank you for the pointer as to who the Godfather is! I've only watched the first one and found it difficult to sort out who was who. But then, I had this problem with the start of The Wire so am willing to stick with it.

I still wasn't sure by the end of Generation Kill quite who everyone was.

Here's a run-down of the characters you've met so far:

We follow one Battalion (1st Recon Battalion) of the US Marine Corps. The Battalion contains 3 companies - Alpha (call-sign Assassin), Bravo (call-sign Hitman), Charlie (call-sign Raptor). There is also a fourth company (Delta) made up of reservists. Most of the primary characters are in the 2d Platoon of Bravo Company. 2d Platoon is made up of 3 Teams. The reporter, Evan Wright, travels in Team 1.

Simples, right?

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Ferrando (AKA Godfather) is the Commander of the entire Battalion. "Godfather" is his nickname (because of his voice) and his call-sign.

Sergeant Major John Sixta (AKA Mr. Potato Head) is the Sergeant Major. He rigorously upholds the "grooming standard" and has little tolerance for untucked shirts or facial hair.

Meesh is the Battalion's only translator, played by Nabil Elouahabi of Eastenders fame.

Captain Craig Schwetje (AKA Encino Man) is the Commander of Bravo Company. In episode one he brags about blacking out his humvee windows, which leads to the company missing their checkpoint. His nickname comes from Brendan Fraser's neanderthal character in the film of the same name.

First Lieutenant Nathaniel Fick (AKA Nate) is the Platoon Commander. In episode one, we see him cover for his unit when their illegal cookstove malfunctions.

Sergeant Brad Colbert (AKA Iceman) is the Leader of Team 1. His nickname comes from his calm demeanour. He rides as a passenger in Vehicle 1 with...

Corporal Josh Ray Person, the driver. He shares his concerns about the wellbeing of J-Lo, and his theory about the "root ****ing cause of all global instability".

Lance Corporal Harold James Trombley, who was chastised for wearing the wrong hat in the mess hall by...

Sergeant Antonio Espera (AKA Poke) is the assistant Team Leader, who rides in Vehicle 2.

Other characters we've seen:

Team 2/Vehicle 3 includes Sergeant Rodolfo Reyes (AKA Rudy, AKA Fruity Rudy) and Corporal James Chaffin - the "white trash" ("Whiskey Tango") marine who is shown making racist remarks about Espera, Corporal Gabriel Garza (the glasses-wearing turret gunner of Vehicle 2) and Corporal Jason Lilley, who he calls a "wigger".

Captain Dave McGraw (AKA Captain America) who is Commander of the 3d Platoon.

mirandashell · 10-10-2009, 20:49

Thank you so much for that! That really helps. I shall have to print it out for next week........

JonDoe · 10-10-2009, 21:06

Knackers.

When did it start and is it repeated?

mirandashell · 10-10-2009, 21:19

It started on Wednesday and I would imagine it's repeated in the week. C4 usually do repeat their programmes.

Actually I've just checked the weekly listings and it isn't repeated. I think it's on 4OD though.

duffle · 12-10-2009, 12:52

Any Programme that has the line "Police that moustache!! "as shouted by Mr Potatohead is alright by me.

Blake Connolly · 12-10-2009, 14:58

Yeah, it's not repeated at all, but it's on 4OD for seven days only, so you need to catch up on the first episode before Wednesday (well worth doing!!)

Ghost World · 12-10-2009, 15:59

Apparently the real Nate Fick (here) has written a book. I hear it's very good, which is not surprising. He's probably my favourite "character" in Generation Kill.

And on that, here is a picture of Alexander Skarsgard with the real Brad Colbert, and Lee Tergesen with the real Evan Wright.

Ghost World · 12-10-2009, 19:56

And here's James Ransone with the real Ray Person

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/...b3e4e79a46.jpg

David McMahon · 15-10-2009, 02:28

Loved the second episode!

sixtieschick · 15-10-2009, 11:59

I loved The Wire so thought I would like this but have to say halfway through the first episode I was still not a lot nearer knowing quite what was going on....

I couldn't make out what they were saying half the time.....not sure if I'll stay with it

grumpyoldbat · 15-10-2009, 12:48

I'm really getting into this now. Feeling the characters more in the second episode - was difficult to tell them apart in the first one (apart from Alexander Skarsgard

)

Ghost World · 15-10-2009, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixtieschick

I loved The Wire so thought I would like this but have to say halfway through the first episode I was still not a lot nearer knowing quite what was going on....

I couldn't make out what they were saying half the time.....not sure if I'll stay with it

Like The Wire, you're not supposed to fully understand everything that's being said. But, by paying attention, you should be able to get a general idea of what's going on. At the very least you should be able to pick up the basic themes - frustration at a lack of action, frustration at the incompetence of command, etc.

sixtieschick · 15-10-2009, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost World

Like The Wire, you're not supposed to fully understand everything that's being said. But, by paying attention, you should be able to get a general idea of what's going on. At the very least you should be able to pick up the basic themes - frustration at a lack of action, frustration at the incompetence of command, etc.

Thanks,Ghost World....I might give it another go.

geoffSF · 15-10-2009, 17:09

Part of why this series was so good was that you were thrown into this whole Marine world and don't know what's going on and who's who.

But, if needed, there is this... which is super spoiler-y but has a breakdown of all the language and a command chart. I'd recommend not reading it, but that's just me.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....tion-kill.html

Iggyman · 16-10-2009, 12:23

Seen 'em all, brilliant series, my only criticism was that it wasn't long enough. I could easily have watched twice as many episodes.

panem&circenses · 16-10-2009, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixtieschick

I loved The Wire so thought I would like this but have to say halfway through the first episode I was still not a lot nearer knowing quite what was going on....

I couldn't make out what they were saying half the time.....not sure if I'll stay with it

the Fog of War and all that, audience disorientation seems to be part of the intention. Actually, the programmes are quite closely following the book "Generation Kill" - which I recommend if reading's your thing.

mirandashell · 16-10-2009, 16:40

I am beginning to understand a bit more about who is who and what is what but do you know what really struck me in the second episode? How nothing ever changes. The imcompetent command, the lack of kit and technology, the cynicism of the 'grunt'. Been the same in practically every war there's ever been!

I did really.... enjoy is not the right word.... the scene in the small town where they had to fight their way through. It really brought over the confusion and noise and sheer WTF? of battle.

sixtieschick · 16-10-2009, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffSF

Part of why this series was so good was that you were thrown into this whole Marine world and don't know what's going on and who's who.

But, if needed, there is this... which is super spoiler-y but has a breakdown of all the language and a command chart. I'd recommend not reading it, but that's just me.

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....tion-kill.html

I won't then...

..but thanks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by panem&circenses

the Fog of War and all that, audience disorientation seems to be part of the intention. Actually, the programmes are quite closely following the book "Generation Kill" - which I recommend if reading's your thing.

Yes, I enjoy reading so will seek it out for future reading...thanks!

07-10-2009, 23:39	#1
Blake Connolly Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North London Services: Sky HD, Sky BB, PS3 Posts: 8,837	Generation Kill - Channel Four pace Couldn't see a thread on this, anyone else watching? Absolutely brilliant so far. The quality of the writing is as high as I'd expect after watching The Wire, and visually it's very impressive too. http://twitter.com/Generation_Kill has been useful for keeping up with some of the military terms. Love the fact that The Godfather listens to cricket!

08-10-2009, 00:17	#2
David McMahon Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Services: Sky+ (x4) ADSL24 2mb Posts: 170	Wow what a show, and so pleased the Wire has a spiritual successor You know this means there are two good shows in row on C4 Wednesday night, this and True Blood I like the contrast between them

08-10-2009, 00:24	#3
Ghost World Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton Posts: 4,612	It's a brilliant show. I saw it when it aired on FX, but I'm rewatching it in HD now it's started on Channel 4.

08-10-2009, 07:58	#4
Bamberella Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 685	I'm re-watching it today but why is it so damn late? I'm so sleepy today why spend money in amazing shows that you gonna bury late at night? why not spend a bit more marketing those shows?

08-10-2009, 11:14	#6
Spacedone Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 327	I enjoyed the first episode and I'm glad to see that Channel 4 are showing both Generation Kill and True Blood on their 4OD website (BBC take note!).

10-10-2009, 14:31	#7
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,772	Ah! Thank you for the pointer as to who the Godfather is! I've only watched the first one and found it difficult to sort out who was who. But then, I had this problem with the start of The Wire so am willing to stick with it.

10-10-2009, 20:49	#9
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,772	Thank you so much for that! That really helps. I shall have to print it out for next week........

10-10-2009, 21:06	#10
JonDoe Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 23,450	Knackers. When did it start and is it repeated?

10-10-2009, 21:19	#11
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,772	It started on Wednesday and I would imagine it's repeated in the week. C4 usually do repeat their programmes. Actually I've just checked the weekly listings and it isn't repeated. I think it's on 4OD though.

12-10-2009, 12:52	#12
duffle Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Not Telling Posts: 48	Any Programme that has the line "Police that moustache!! "as shouted by Mr Potatohead is alright by me.

12-10-2009, 14:58	#13
Blake Connolly Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North London Services: Sky HD, Sky BB, PS3 Posts: 8,837	Yeah, it's not repeated at all, but it's on 4OD for seven days only, so you need to catch up on the first episode before Wednesday (well worth doing!!)

12-10-2009, 15:59	#14
Ghost World Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton Posts: 4,612	Apparently the real Nate Fick (here) has written a book. I hear it's very good, which is not surprising. He's probably my favourite "character" in Generation Kill. And on that, here is a picture of Alexander Skarsgard with the real Brad Colbert, and Lee Tergesen with the real Evan Wright.

12-10-2009, 19:56	#15
Ghost World Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northampton Posts: 4,612	And here's James Ransone with the real Ray Person http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/...b3e4e79a46.jpg

15-10-2009, 02:28	#16
David McMahon Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Services: Sky+ (x4) ADSL24 2mb Posts: 170	Loved the second episode!

15-10-2009, 11:59	#17
sixtieschick Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,141	I loved The Wire so thought I would like this but have to say halfway through the first episode I was still not a lot nearer knowing quite what was going on.... I couldn't make out what they were saying half the time.....not sure if I'll stay with it

15-10-2009, 12:48	#18
grumpyoldbat Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 468	I'm really getting into this now. Feeling the characters more in the second episode - was difficult to tell them apart in the first one (apart from Alexander Skarsgard )

15-10-2009, 17:09	#21
geoffSF Inactive Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Fransicko Posts: 2,672	Part of why this series was so good was that you were thrown into this whole Marine world and don't know what's going on and who's who. But, if needed, there is this... which is super spoiler-y but has a breakdown of all the language and a command chart. I'd recommend not reading it, but that's just me. http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....tion-kill.html

16-10-2009, 12:23	#22
Iggyman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 989	Seen 'em all, brilliant series, my only criticism was that it wasn't long enough. I could easily have watched twice as many episodes.

16-10-2009, 16:40	#24
mirandashell Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over there somewhere Posts: 1,772	I am beginning to understand a bit more about who is who and what is what but do you know what really struck me in the second episode? How nothing ever changes. The imcompetent command, the lack of kit and technology, the cynicism of the 'grunt'. Been the same in practically every war there's ever been! I did really.... enjoy is not the right word.... the scene in the small town where they had to fight their way through. It really brought over the confusion and noise and sheer WTF? of battle.