Part Eight (The Pacific)

"Part Eight" is the eighth episode of the American war drama miniseries The Pacific. The episode was written by co-producers Robert Schenkkan and Michelle Ashford, and directed by David Nutter and Jeremy Podeswa. It originally aired on HBO on May 2, 2010.

The series focuses on the United States Marine Corps's actions in the Pacific Theater of Operations within the wider Pacific War. It primarily centers on the experiences of three Marines (Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge, and John Basilone) who were in different regiments (1st, 5th, and 7th, respectively) of the 1st Marine Division. The episode follows Basilone's insatisfaction with his post-war status, and his decision to become involved again with the Marines.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.34 million household viewers and gained a 0.8 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, production values and themes.

Plot
In Pavuvu, The 1st Marine Division recovers after the events at Peleliu. De L'Eau tells Sledge and Snafu that he was transferred to a new division, fearing their role in a more dangerous military tactic. In New York City, Basilone continues selling war bonds by participating in many campaigns.

Basilone is back at New Jersey with his family, but he is unhappy with his new life. He talks with Lieutenant General Alexander Vandegrift to express his insatisfaction. Vandegrift suggests reducing his service, but Basilone actually wants to be more involved with the Marines again and asks to serve as a gunnery sergeant. He starts training recruits at Camp Pendleton, where many of them idolize him for his actions in Guadalcanal. As he focuses on training two struggling soldiers, he becomes smitten with a nurse, whose friend invites him to a social event. There, he learns that her name is Sergeant Lena Riggi and takes an interest in her. He invites her to dine with him, but she is not interested in a new relationship.

As time passes, Basilone continues his duties while growing closer to Riggi. While his service is over, Basilone decides to re-enlist to continue fighting in the Pacific. Riggi is disappointed, but understands his decision. Before he leaves, they decide to get married and enjoy their honeymoon. After making love, Riggi gives Basilone her necklace while he is on service. In February 1945, Basilone and his soldiers land at Iwo Jima. Despite Basilone's leadership, the unit faces severe losses on the first day. The unit makes its way through the battlefield despite heavy gunfire. As Basilone tries to lead his men back to the beach, he is killed by a sniper, shocking his unit. In America, Riggi visits the beach she and Basilone frequented, crying over her husband's death.

Development
The episode was written by co-producers Robert Schenkkan and Michelle Ashford, and directed by David Nutter and Jeremy Podeswa. This was Schenkkan's third writing credit, Ashford's second writing credit, Nutter's second directing credit, and Podeswa's second directing credit.

Viewers
In its original American broadcast, "Part Eight" was seen by an estimated 2.34 million household viewers with a 0.8 in the 18–49 demographics. This means that 0.8 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. This was a 9% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 2.55 million household viewers with a 0.9 in the 18-49 demographics.

Critical reviews
"Part Eight" received critical acclaim. Ramsey Isler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.2 out of 10 and wrote, "There's been a lot of debate surrounding the slower "character development" episodes of this series. Those who were looking for a gritty, bloody chronicle of the hardships of war have been critical of The Pacific's extended departures from the battlefield in a war series, while others grow weary of rampant bloodshed and appreciate the cinematic human elements of the story and enjoy getting to know the personal effects of the war. Although episodes like this one can understandably turn off some viewers, the quality of this story can't be denied, even if it wasn't quite what you're looking for."

Emily St. James of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "I'm sure many will question just why the series, which had been building up a head of steam, would choose to follow up hours of almost pure intensity with what amounts to a doomed romance, but the hour took on an emotional intensity of its own. I was horrified and amazed by much of the last two episodes, but I don't know that I ever found them as deeply moving as I found this simple story about love and duty."

Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote, "the final shot of the Iwo Jima sequence - with the camera pulling up to show Basilone lying among so many other dead men - was a potent reminder of the hundreds upon thousands of less famous Americans died under similar circumstances to the great John Basilone, and how many of them left their own version of Lena behind." Tim Basham of Paste wrote, "All the while, Basilone is at the center. We see his determined resolve to accomplish his task, but we also see the results of how well he has trained those around him. And it is the anguish on their faces that brings us to tears when their revered sergeant finally falls."

Paul MacInnes of The Guardian wrote, "It's fair to say that this week's final scenes are not typical of those that have gone before. On more than the odd occasion, the makers of The Pacific seem to have prized verisimilitude above all else, including engaging their audience. The drama has sometimes been slow, at other times chaotic, but always tending towards docudrama. With the death of Basilone, however, the rules were suddenly changed. Effects and tricks were applied to make sure that heartstrings were tugged. And quite right too." Den of Geek wrote, "Understated in its exploration of their commitment to both each other and the service, episode 8 of The Pacific serves as fine testament to the many war-time romances that ended in tragedy, made even more poignant by the fact that Lena never remarried."