Summary
“Part Three” is an action-packed and brutal installment from the series. The show thankfully drops its repetitive formula at the midway point, offering up a new and intriguing storyline instead. With certain crewmen now stranded behind enemy lines, the narrative opens up wider, setting up even greater drama to come.
In “Part Three” of the Apple TV+ World War II epic Masters of the Air, Gale and Bucky’s unit are tasked with their third mission in a row, but this one ends in disaster as the 100th Bomb Group is outnumbered by their deadly German adversaries. The Bloody Hundredth face their toughest challenge yet in Season 1 Episode 3. It’s another intense installment with the plot finally breaking away from its early, repetitive structure, offering up new adventures and heightened tension in return.
Masters of the Air Season 1 Episode 3 Recap
“Part Three” opens with Colonel Harding discussing the squadron’s next mission. They will be a part of the largest air armada in the history of mankind. The 100th Bomb Group will be joining two other task forces of similar size in a targeted assault on an assembly plant and two ball-bearing factories in Regensburg, Germany. The mission also involves the Bloody Hundredth orchestrating a diversion after the bombing, which will take them all the way to Africa.
After the briefing, the air crewmen return to their work and preparations. Many have turned to religion as the missions and the deaths have tallied up, with many of their fellow brothers being horrifically murdered in action. The air crewmen anxiously wait for the fog to clear so they can begin their latest mission.
The Colonel is instructed that his unit will be going it alone though, contributing to the first wave in the attack. He is therefore ordered to send his squadron into battle without the support of the other two task forces. It is practically a suicide mission. The 100th Bomb Group begins their mission oblivious to this fact, but they quickly realize that their backup isn’t coming, they are on their own.
They are soon engaged in a relentless and perilous air battle with the German fighters. The Americans manage to gun down a few German planes, but they also take numerous hits of their own. These setbacks force the aircrew to drop their bombs early and then abandon ship, parachuting down into enemy territory.
Who dies in “Part Three?”
We focus on one of these damaged planes, where William Quinn attempts to save his friend Babyface’s life, but he is forced to abandon his colleague just before the plane explodes when he is unable to free him. Babyface is killed in the explosion. Next, Curt’s plane takes a serious hit too. He orders his crewmates to bail out but attempts to land the plane alone to save his injured co-pilot’s life. This heroic endeavour ends tragically though, with Curt’s plane exploding on impact. It would appear Curtis Biddick is also dead.
The other two task forces finally set off on their mission a shocking 5 hours too late. Colonel Harding and Major Red are updated back at base about this injustice. They fear for their team’s safety in the meantime. And rightfully so, back in Germany, the squadron is under heavy attack. Gale watches in shock as many of his fellow crewmen are killed or forced to parachute into enemy territory.
Does the 100th Bomb Group succeed with its mission?
Gale sticks with the plan though and soldiers on. His bravery is soon rewarded and his plane is able to drop the payload of bombs onto the specific targets below. With their mission complete, the remaining planes head to Africa to their rendezvous point. Gale’s plane struggles to make it though as they rapidly run out of fuel. They are forced to empty the plane of all non-essential items to lighten the load.
Meanwhile, Quinn lands on the ground after the attacks, stranded in the enemy’s land. He walks to a nearby farm, desperate for help. Luckily the farmer’s family takes pity on him and offers him food. Ally gunmen arrive later that day to question Quinn. He is asked if he is willing to surrender or escape to evade capture. His chances of survival look slim. Can these foreign men be trusted?
How does Masters of the Air Season 1 Episode 3 end?
Running on fumes, Gale and the remaining planes make it to Africa. Thanks to Crosby’s expert navigation skills, the remaining planes safely land at the planned meeting point. Bucky’s team is also among the survivors. Gale’s plane must resort to gliding towards the airfield when the fuel finally runs out. They safely land in Africa, even though Lt. David Friedkin had proposed bailing on numerous occasions.
As the episode draws to an end, Gale and Bucky are reunited with one another after their toughest mission yet. Many lives have been lost in the battle and countless others are now stranded behind enemy lines. Gale looks utterly broken after this latest battle. Bucky tries to remain confident and upbeat though, promising Gale that they will get through this and prevail.
What did you think of Masters of the Air Season 1 Episode 3? Comment below.
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