Synopsis Page

Overview

Our hero returns home after witnessing the divine only to realize that he is being called to duty. He is torn by his obligation to his country and his inner cowardice. His mother pleads with him not to go, especially after already losing one son, but he knows his destiny lies with the call of duty. Fresh from the serenity of beatific visions, he is suddenly thrust into a foreign land both here and abroad.

Episode One: " In Her Majesty's Service " or "What Did You Do During the War Daddy"

Our hero goes through basic training and then leaves for specialised training in electronics. At this point he meets people from all over the county from large cities to small towns. He is surprised to find that he actually enjoys the regimented military life. He doesn't have time to think about much as they keep him quite busy in the training environment. He frequently shares his exploits by writing home to his boyhood friend and starts keeping a diary. Even though he has picked up the nickname "Space Cadet", he is well liked by his peers and completes his training in exemplary manner, although, as he says, "The competition wasn't too tough". He receives orders to go oversees to the combat zone, but isn't too worried about it because it looks like he'll be stationed at the main base repairing and replacing radio equipment with little chance to "see action".

Episode Two: "Over There"

Our protaganist finally makes his way overseas to the war zone. He is in a mild dilemma, on one hand he is glad that he is not assigned to a combat unit, but on the other hand, he is feeling quite guilty about it. Inwardly he feels that his is a coward and his faith is week. He perversely wishes for a test of his faith even though he fears that he will most likely crumble and weaken. It's so easy to be a war hero while playing "Army Guy" in the backyard with friends, where you could get "killed", count to three, and get back up again; but this was big boy stuff now. In the meantime he settles into a stereotypical American GI experience. He works his shift, hangs out with guys, goes on USO tours, takes pictures, and helps out with goodwill projects for the locals. All is going along routine until he gets orders to deploy to an FOB (Forward Operating Base) to assist in their communications unit. This is the moment of truth he thought. He checks out his weapon and it feels cold and heavy in his hands. He heads up country, where life and death exist together in real time.

Episode Three: "Back in the World"

Our forlorn hero ignominiously returns home. The war is drawing down and he returns to the states to be discharged. However, he know that he can never really return home because that way of life cannot exist anymore. His sheltered life was laid bare, his weaknesses exposed, exposed to the squalor that the majority of the world calls their daily lives. He saw the greatest kindness and generosity emulated in people who had nothing, and the greatest selfishness and pettiness displayed to perfection within his own soul. Perhaps that was the greatest horror, to perceive oneself as grandiose and mighty, only to have the curtain drawn aside and see the true ugliness exposed. He tries to atone for his poor behavior by visiting the home of a true hero, but it doesn't really help. He realizes that even though he has been blessed by a vision, he is no better than anybody else. Possibly even less, he has seen the beatifics of the Lord, more is expected of him.