I watched the pilot of “Over There” with my husband and eldest son.

I didn’t like it. I thought it was very propagandistic and strange. I wondered if this was the first time a series was ever produced during the war. I know there were many WWII movies, but I wonder if those were touted as “true to life.”

I thought it was ridiculous that the trucks pulled onto the side of the road. Just from reading Milbloggers, and having common sense, I know that was stupid.

My eldest, age 13, thought the character development was too heavy handed.

When I found Outside the Beltway’s entry on it, I thought, “Yes. That’s what the problems were.”

Three Soldiers’ Comments on “Over There”

A few scenes passed muster. Heads nodded when a soldier opened up a packet of Taster’s Choice freeze-dried and downed the whole thing. Nice detail. Ditto the scene of the earnest soldier describing the horrors of war via computer video e-mail as his adulterous wife is writhing in ecstasy with lover-boy back home.

“But after only a week?” commented one soldier.

“It usually takes at least two,” added another.

One scene hit home for the tough audience: an intimate close-up of two African American soldiers talking band-of-brother bonds. Says one: “If you’re looking for another fool to risk getting shot to cover your fool behind, I’m right here beside you.”

Correct! Sir!

According to the Three Soldiers’ article, “It’s billled as the first war drama built around a U.S. military conflict still in progress…” So I was right, it is the first series.