The second season of the BBC One World War Two drama "SAS Rogue Heroes" kicks off with a bang, as the newly-formed commando unit, now under the leadership of the unpredictable Lt Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell), leaves the deserts of Africa to spearhead an assault upon Italy. The six-part series, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, opens in the Spring of 1943, setting the stage for a thrilling and action-packed continuation of the SAS story.
The episode begins with Paddy Mayne in Cairo, grappling with a "poor frame of mind" after being denied leave to attend his father's funeral. His anger manifests in a violent outburst, leading to a brutal confrontation with the Military Police. This intense opening scene sets the tone for the series, showcasing Mayne's volatile nature and his deep personal struggle.
As Mayne is held in military prison, Lt Col Bill Stirling (Gwilym Lee), brother of the captured David Stirling, visits him with a proposition. Bill, who has been working in military intelligence, reveals that the British high command is considering disbanding the SAS. He believes that Paddy's leave was denied to provoke his violent reaction, a testament to the manipulations within the military hierarchy. Despite their differences, Bill seeks Paddy's help to save the SAS, aiming to make him the "pointed tip of the spear" in the push to retake Europe.
In London, French spy Eve Mansour (Sofia Boutella) meets with British intelligence officer Lt Col Dudley Clarke (Dominic West). Eve, who is receiving letters from her lover David Stirling, imprisoned in an Italian POW camp, is also intrigued to learn that the SAS has been renamed to the SRS (Special Raiding Squadron) by Bill Stirling. This renaming not only signifies a change in tactics but also a shift in the unit's strategic importance.
The narrative then shifts to the Port of Suez, where the SRS, now including new recruits like Cpl James "Jock" McDiarmid (Mark Rowley) and Lt John Eliot Tonkin (Jack Barton), are training for a daunting mission. A heated exchange between Jock and Reg Seekings (Theo Barklem-Biggs) foreshadows the tension and camaraderie that will develop among the soldiers.
Paddy Mayne's recitation of a quote from William Blake’s "A War Song to Englishmen" underscores the gravity of their task, as Lt Col Bill Stirling arrives to brief them on the operation. The soldiers are skeptical of Stirling's rank and reputation, but they are sobered by the revelation that the GHQ expects a 50% fatality rate on their upcoming mission.
The SRS is tasked with leading an operation involving 3,000 ships and 160,000 soldiers from the British 8th Army and the US 7th Army. Their mission is to assault the coastal defenses of Sicily, which include machine gun nests, barbed wire, and minefields. The success of the main attack hinges on the SRS's ability to neutralize these defenses before dawn.
As the SRS prepares for their mission aboard the Ulster Monarch, Paddy Mayne delivers grim news about Allied troops stranded in the water after their gliders fell short of the landing zone. He emphasizes the importance of the mission over acts of mercy, setting a harsh but necessary tone for the soldiers.
The emotional turmoil is palpable as the SRS hears the screams of their comrades in the water while approaching the Sicilian beach. The intensity escalates as they engage in a fierce firefight with Italian defenses. Paddy's battle cry, "Kill Italians!" signals a charge up the bluffs, leading to a brutal and bloody confrontation.
Reg Seekings distinguishes himself with a brave attack that breaks the deadlock, and the remaining Italians surrender. Paddy's observation that the enemy surrendered because they believed there were more attackers than there actually were highlights the psychological warfare at play. The episode concludes with Paddy lighting a flare to signal the rest of the attack to come ashore, as news of the invasion reaches David Stirling in his POW camp, creating a poignant connection between the frontline and the captive hero.
This episode of "SAS Rogue Heroes" is a gripping portrayal of war's physical and psychological challenges, with a focus on the bravery, brutality, and moral complexities faced by the SAS as they fight to retake mainland Europe.