THIS WEEK
On Pensacola: Wings Of Gold
(from pensacolatv.com)
Episode # 319 - "Return To
Glory"
Broadcast Week of April 24, 2000
Logline: When the possibility of war presents itself in Latin America, a former member of the 18th MEU is assigned to the unit as it prepares for its first combat mission. His reappearance creates potential problems for Kelly, Ice and Capone.
Synopsis: At the beach house, Captain Edward "Capone" Terrelli and Captain Alexandra “Ice” Jensen are riveted by the TV news coverage of civil unrest in the small Latin American country of San Felipe. According to the report, the U.N. has condemned rebel atrocities in support of a homegrown drug lord who was narrowly defeated when running for president. Both realize that their next assignment could be peacekeeping duty in this country.
Shortly afterwards, Ice, Capone and the rest of the unit assemble at MEU headquarters for a situation briefing by Lt. Colonel Bill Kelly, Lt. Colonel MacArthur "Hammer" Lewis, Jr. and the Special Ops Officer, dispatched by the Pentagon for this express purpose. After preliminaries, the two senior officers turn the session over to the specialist, who turns out to be none other than Captain Butch “Burner” Barnes, former 18th MEU jet pilot. He bears no resemblance to the laid-back “captain cool” we encountered in earlier episodes. Burner now sports a total military look of absolute regulation with bearing short hair and uniform and shoes - all crease, spit and polish. His demeanor and briefing delivery is dry and no nonsense.
Burner announces that the 18th MEU has been selected to respond to the potential crisis in San Felipe. After his by-the-book briefing, Ice and Burner, formerly very tight, become reacquainted and renew their friendship. She invites him to stay at the beach house during his assignment, neglecting to consult with roommate Capone before doing so.
On the way, they stop off at the Bucket to unwind. Inside, Hammer is mentoring Megan on her AA progress, and she admits to almost falling off the wagon due to stress. He gives her encouragement to stay on course. Burner and Megan meet and instantly hit it off.
The old sarcastic Burner surfaces when he is reunited with Capone, who is there enjoying some down time with fellow copter pilot Captain Joseph “Ski” Zabronski. Burner playfully refers to Capone as “the helicopter pilot who couldn’t cut it in the Hornet jet.” Realizing his gaffe, Burner tries to defuse the situation. But, the damage has been done. Capone’s been embarrassed in front of his co-pilot and crew - in his mind, payback is in order.
Later that night at the beach house, Ice and Burner reminisce as Burner confesses to missing the MEU. However, he’s happier and less stressed in Special Ops. It’s not so important to be “the best” at everything any more. Striving for perfection all of the time was destroying the seemingly laid-back jet pilot. Burner’s honest admissions only serve to bring the two friends closer together.
Next morning, Burner attempts to make amends for his insensitive comments at the Bucket by cooking breakfast for both Ice and Capone. His gesture backfires when he burns the meal and creates a mess in the kitchen, thus enraging Capone. Things get out of hand when the two Marines try to settle some unfinished business surrounding Burner’s previous exit from the MEU. Ice’s best efforts are called upon to keep Capone and Burner from punching each other out and potentially ruining their Marine careers.
Meanwhile, at the base prior to a training exercise, Hammer and Kelly are discussing a newspaper article concerning Navy and Marine Corps officer promotions. Kelly’s has been passed over twice. Once more and he’ll retire from the Corps, rather than suffer the indignity of demotion to NCO status, as the rifting process requires. Kelly’s a realist. He knows that his chances for promotion may rest on the San Felipe assignment, but tries to act unconcerned. Hammer, knows his friend well enough not to accept this pose.
Shortly afterwards, the 18th MEU assemble for a final briefing before their final practice exercise for the possible San Felipe mission. They leave deeply affected by the gravity and potential danger of this peacekeeping mission.
Although their copter is cleared for combat prior to the exercise, once airborne Capone and Ski hear a terrible noise coming from the engine and attempt to return to base. But it’s too late. The Cobra spins out of control and crashes violently to the ground. Will Capone and Ski survive the crash? Will the unit be sent into war? The fate of the 18th MEU hangs in the balance.
