OVER THERE
THE COMPLETE SERIES

"I'm going back to my Unit"

Pfc. Bo Rider

Pilot
When a U.S. Army unit arrives in Iraq for their first tour of duty, they quickly find themselves engaged in a bloody firefight and discover the essence of who they are as soldiers. Some show more mettle in the face of death, while others become paralysed from fear. Under the guidance of their sergeant, the soldiers begin to form the bonds of brotherhood that are forged only through war.

Roadblock Duty
The squad is assigned to roadblock duty and is forced to shoot two motorists who ignore their orders to stop. Meanwhile, Bo's estranged, alcoholic father visits him in the hospital.

The Prisoner
The squad helps guard a prisoner who undergoes both physical and mental distress in order to find out vital information. Bo requests to be taken off morphine. Sergio attends a family support group meeting. Eddy finds himself alone.

I Want My Toilets
Angel's rifle skills come in handy when a supply truck must make a delivery to a dangerous area. Terry makes the house wheelchair accessible in preparation for Bo's return home.

Embedded
When Smoke is implicated in the death of a civilian, his mother takes the news hard. An embedded reporter disappears after suggesting the death was an Iraqi set up. Also, Bo gets his new prosthetic leg.

It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding
The squad races against time to rescue journalist John Moffet before his abductors execute him. The team also learns a bounty has been placed on Smoke's head. Meanwhile, Bo returns home and Vanessa finally hits rock bottom.

Mission Accomplished
The squad is assigned to guard a prison that is in not so good condition and soon find themselves in a dangerous situation. Mrs. B temporarily returns home to care for her autistic son.

Situation Normal
The squad is assigned to protect workers installing a pipeline. Meanwhile, Mrs. B is AWOL in Hollywood mixing with some questionable characters and Bo tries to run on his prosthetic leg.

Spoils of War
The squad faces a moral dilemma when they discover millions of dollars. Mrs. B returns from being AWOL and finds a friend in Dim. Meanwhile, Bo is training hard to return to his squad and Vanessa is sticking with AA and trying to make amends.

Suicide Rain
Angel puts his own life at risk when an American is held hostage. Meanwhile, Sergio and Anna's relationship continues to grow, and Vanessa tries to make up for her past. Orphans The squad is ordered to evict the residents of an orphanage. Sergio is conflicted over his attraction to Anna. Meanwhile, Terry looks into why Bo has stopped receiving his military pay.

Weapons of Mass Destruction
As the squad searches for an elusive bomber a squad of under trained Iraqi soldiers joins them. Meanwhile, Bo confronts his father and Vanessa continues to struggle with her alcoholism.

Follow the Money
The squad is assigned to protect a civilian convoy. Lt. Underpants leadership skills take a toll on the squad. Back at home, Bo meets somebody who may be able to help him get back in the Army and Sergio receives surprising news from Anna.

For the first time ever a TV series is set during a conflict that is still going on but can 'Over There' capture what it is like for soldiers that are serving in Iraq?

From legendary TV producer Steven Bochco and up and coming series creator Chris Gerolmo comes a series that shows you the war through the eyes of the men and women serving in Iraq. With no political agendas or opinions as to whether the troops should actually be there or not, the show took a no holds barred approach of showing the Iraq War, with all its problems and horrors in tact.

Here we follow a squad of rookies into combat and the repercussions, consequences and impact on them, their families and the Iraqi people they are assigned to fight and protect. The removal of any higher levels of command, allows the show to remove any reason for what they are doing and just follow them as they follow orders, like any other squad in the suck.

With no glorification of the war, reality is paramount and the real reason for the success and failure of the show. While the show was a critical success in the US and around the world, the audience numbers dropped as the season progressed. The lack of a positive agenda and the reality of the show, meant that the show didn't really promote America's participation in the conflict or do anything to push recruitment. The programme never showed the military in a negative light, it is the reality of the show that was seen as the negative aspect, especially when you consider the war and occupation is still going on.

The characters and stories of 'Over There' cover most aspects of how anyone serving in the military affects them, their families and the people of the country they are serving in. As you'd expect with any Steven Bochco production each member of the squad is expertly realised. The banter and camaraderie is here in abundance as Sgt. Chris "Scream" Silas, played by the talented Erik Palladino, head into conflict. Luke MacFarlane, Keith Robinson, Kirk 'Sticky' Jones and Omid Abtahi excel in their roles, playing the characters as they need to be played with all the confusion, anger and fear that conflict brings. As this is a modern war, there are now female soldiers serving and Lizette Carrion and Nicki Aycox make Pfc. Esmeralda "Doublewide" Del Rio and Brenda "Mrs. B." Mitchell as believable as their male counterparts.

There are also stories from back home in the US. After the events of the first episode, we also follow the story of Pfc. Bo Rider, played by Josh Henderson, as he tries to cope with his life changing injury. We see how Pvt. Frank 'Dim' Dumphy wife Vanessa, played by the talented up and coming actress Brigid Brannagh has trouble coping with her husband's absence. They also show what it is like when the husband is left holding the baby as his wife goes to war, with the story of Pfc. Esmeralda "Doublewide" Del Rio's husband Sergio.

With excellent writing and characters it is hard to find something wrong with the show, except for one blatantly obvious standout failure, which is really nothing to do with the main elements of this show itself. The credits for the show are ingeniously show at the end of the show, allowing it to get straight into the action but this also means that the appalling theme tune kicks in at the climax of every show. Written and sung by series co-creator Chris Gerolmo, the track sounds like something that has escaped from the heady days of bubble-perm rock from the 1980s. It is awful and makes you want to mute the sound as you watch the final scenes of the show play out.

With so much potential for more stories and continuing the ones that they have already introduced, it is a real shame that 'Over There' was cancelled after only one season. This is a show that will be appreciated over time and American viewers might realise that was an excellent programme that showed the gravity of modern warfare.