On a battlefield, the most unlikely person can oftentimes end up saving the day, and this is the theme presented in this riveting and exciting episode of Combat. Similarly to another one I talked about before, it is definitely frustrating to watch, but not in a negative way. The episode has a lot of moments where it looks like Saunders is on the brink of death, and you might even think this will finally be the end for him. The reason why this episode is great is because of how it finally gives the spotlight to a member of the squad who is typically overlooked: the medic. Simply named Doc, he proves that doctors are capable of fighting just as competently as trained infantrymen. The episode begins with Saunders, Caje, and Doc (Conlan Carter) deciding to take a shower in an abandoned French building. Not long into their cleaning, two SS troops enter the building, kill an American soldier in a barber's chair, and take Saunders, Caje and Doc prisoner. The higher ranked German, Captain Aptmeyer (Mark Richman), tells Doc that because he's a medic, he's instructing him to find a military ambulance and drive it back to the building within a half an hour. If he fails, Aptmeyer says he will kill Saunders and Caje. Doc wanders around like a madman trying to find who can help him. He asks a comms sergeant to lend him a vehicle because Saunders needs it, but Hanley needs to authorize the decision first. Not having time to wait, Doc considers stealing an ambulance, but is caught by a corporal. Finally, Doc is able to convince a mechanic to let him borrow one, and he drives it back to the building with no time to spare. Doc arrives only to see Caje and Saunders laying unconscious on the floor, as they tried to attack Aptmeyer and his friend and had to be subdued. Aptmeyer gives Doc new orders, saying that now he must take 2 medical litters out of the ambulance and place Saunders and Caje on them. He's also told to make sure no one sees him. As Doc heads back outside to grab the stretchers from the truck, he is approached by a GI asking him if he can light his cigarette. An incredibly awkward conversation ensues, in which the soldier asks Doc what he's doing there, to which Doc responds he's not transporting any wounded people (despite the ambulance). In an effort to make the soldier go away, Doc gives him a lighter for free. Finally, Doc grabs the litters, puts his two friends on them, and Aptmeyer helps Doc put them in the ambulance. The soldier from before returns right as the vehicle is about to drive off, sensing something is off. He asks Doc why he's putting wounded men in the truck when the latter just told him he wasn't transporting anybody, to which Aptmeyer lies and says they have meningitis. Doc drives off with Saunders and Caje in the back. Aptmeyer tells him to drive aimlessly into the countryside, and they are confronted by an MP officer. Aptmeyer manages to ad-lib his way out of the encounter, and they continue on, eventually coming to a group of wrecked vehicles near the road. Doc suddenly slams on the gas and jerks the truck left and right as violently as he can, desperately trying to dislodge Aptmeyer from the passenger seat. He succeeds in doing so, but overturns the ambulance. Saunders and Caje manage to escape the truck, while Doc is aggressively pulled out of the wreckage by Aptmeyer. Aptmeyer takes Saunders' Tommy gun and orders the 3 to move ahead. At last, Aptmeyer reveals the reason why he made Doc drive all the way out here: a minefield. Aptmeyer orders Saunders through the minefield, recently laid, saying that he knows the safe areas to step in order to get through. Knowing this is suicide, Saunders refuses. Before Aptmeyer has a chance to shoot him, Doc runs at Aptmeyer and engages him in a fight, knocking away his gun. Doc successfully manages to choke Aptmeyer to death, and must now tend to Saunders, ironically shot with his own weapon. Just like The Pillbox (which I talked about a few days ago), this episode is really well done. It's not quite as good as that one, mainly because Hanley is not in this at all, but I like it because it gives Conlan a chance to prove his worth. As the squad's medic, fighting should be the last thing on his mind, but here, he has to fight for the good of his friends. Throughout the episode, Doc faces large problems, not only because of the Nazis, but also the americans who are curious to know why he needs an ambulance so badly. The fight at the end between Aptmeyer and Doc is also great, since it's always entertaining to see two characters go at each other without guns. Speaking of Aptmeyer, Mark portrays the ruthless SS officer really well. The SS were not average german soldiers, and his scornful attitude towards the squad members (and americans in general) reflects this. Seeing him getting killed was deeply satisfying. In general, The Hostages was one of the best Combat episodes I've seen recently, as it finally gives Doc the spotlight and shows how anyone can be a warrior when the need arises.
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