[Afamilyatwar-list] Episode 8

[Veit, Richard]

Episode No. 8, "For Strategic Reasons"

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German occupation of the Channel Islands was a shocking development for Britain during the early months of the war. What a terrifying experience it must have been for the islands’ inhabitants, to witness the withdrawal of friendly troops (“for strategic reasons”) and then await the inevitable onset of enemy control.

In this powerful and fast-paced episode, written by Harry V. Kershaw, it is the fictional Brehaut family who are trapped in a nightmarish chapter of history. It is sad to witness their helplessness in the shadow of such an ominous force. Dominique, in particular, is shattered by the prospect, dreading the unknown as she casts a wary eye toward the French coast. Philip, for his part, is unable to assuage her fears, placing his hope in the false assumption that Germany would not be interested in conquering such “insignificant” prizes as Jersey and Guernsey. Abandoning the young woman to her fate, he departs with a gnawing sense of guilt that will haunt him for years to come. Contrariwise, the impulsive Eddie Chappell throws caution to the wind and breaks from the ranks, boldly forging a new life with Dominique’s sister, Madeleine.

I wonder about Philip’s motives in choosing not to return to the Brehaut home prior to the journey back to England. Is it his sense of duty, as a lance corporal, to his military superiors? Is it because he does not truly love Dominique? Is it because he does love her but is afraid of committing too rashly to such a permanent relationship? Was he ethically justified in severing his attachment to her without so much as a word? And just what did Dominique really mean when she conveyed a message to Philip that she “understood” him?

Several memorable moments remain etched in my mind after viewing “For Strategic Reasons.” One, certainly, is how hard the news of John Porter’s presumed death hits Philip when he reads the letter from home. It is clear to see that he has accepted Margaret’s husband as a member of the family. Another is poor Albert’s reaction when his awkward attempt at flirting with Dominique is dashed by the arrival of Eddie and Philip. And there is a revealing scene when sibling rivalry eclipses any concerns for the war, as Madeleine shocks her older sister by divulging that she was an eyewitness to Dominique’s summertime tryst with “that Scottish boy.”

Once again, as throughout the entire series, the military staging is brilliant, and Ray Smith’s portrayal of Sergeant Connor is right on target. On the lighter side, I love that moment at Company Headquarters in Beaucamps when Captain Leyland-Smith responds to the impending disaster by calling for some tea!

Quite effective, I think, is director Tim Jones’s decision to have a two-shot at the instant when it is revealed to the Brehaut sisters that the troops are departing for England. The camera initially frames Madeleine in the foreground, but then the more distant Dominique comes into focus to show her concern that Philip will be among the retreating soldiers.

It is pitiable to see the confused children evacuees, each identified with a name tag, waiting to board the Biarritz for the journey away from the only home most of them have ever known.

Though “For Strategic Reasons” is, of necessity, quite a serious episode, there are several less portentous moments as well: cute little Marie, who brings her mother’s bread pudding to the guard house at Fort Doyle; the absurdity of Mr. Brehaut’s determined search for a missing whistle to complete his uniform; and that touching instant when Eddie’s marriage proposal causes Madeleine’s face to light up with a pretty smile.

Of related historical interest, there is quite an informative website to be found by clicking here.<http://www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey/content/articles/2004/07/19/occupation_timeline_1939_feature.shtml> It provides a detailed timeline, even mentioning the SS Biarritz in the entry for 20 June 1940. I also recommend the Granada/ITV miniseries "Island at War" from 2004. Set in six episodes (398 minutes), it concerns the German occupation of the Channel Islands, in this case the fictional island of St. Gregory. The script, by Stephen Mallatratt, is tight and suspenseful, the acting superb.
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