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TV Media Weekly | May 26 - June 1, 2018 By K.A. Taylor TV Media F or much of the western world, war is either some- thing of the past or some- thing happening far away. Acts of wartime heroism and sacri- fice are honored periodically throughout the year, but seldom are they deeply reflected upon. Television and films have long tried to bring the realities of war to those who will never experience it themselves. Notable small-screen attempts include "M*A*S*H" and "Band of Brothers," but these sel- dom possess the grit found in big- screen depictions. 2017 saw the exception to this, with the pre- miere of History's "SIX," which has its season 2 premiere appropriate- ly airing on Monday, May 28: Me- morial Day. "SIX" is a high-intensity, high- stakes drama that takes its inspi- ration from the real-life SEAL Team Six, a prominent component of the U.S. Armed Forces military division focused on counterterror- ism. Each episode delves into the split-second decisions that mem- bers of SEAL Team must make, and how those decisions have a lasting effect both for the team members involved and for the sur- rounding community. Although the team isn't adverse to provid- ing aid if possible, the mission at hand is always top of mind, with the nation's security of primary importance. SEAL Team Six is comprised of quite a diverse cast. Barry Sloane ("Longmire") is Joe "Bear" Graves, the team's senior chief special warfare operator. Provid- ing support are Kyle Schmid ("Be- ing Human") as Alex Caulder and Juan Pablo Raba ("Narcos") as Ricky "Buddha" Ortiz. Rounding out the cast are Jaylen Moore ("Bad Moms," 2016) as Armin Khan and Edwin Hodge ("Sleepy Hollow") as Robert Chase III, fel- low special warfare operators. Af- ter the events of season 1, SEAL Team Six required a new member, found in Eric Ladin's ("Bosch") role as special warfare operator first class, Trevor. Season 1 of "SIX" wasted little time wading into the moral grey zone of war, with senior chief spe- cial warfare operator Richard "Rip" Taggart (Walton Goggins, "The Hateful Eight," 2015) quickly reduced to former senior chief spe- cial warfare operator after shoot- ing a man who had claimed to have American citizenship. A few years later, while earning a living working in private security at a Ni- gerian school for girls, Rip was tak- en hostage, prompting his former team to find and rescue him. The team's relentless hunt did not go unrewarded, but a betrayal ulti- mately resulted in a violent assault on Rip, filling fans with unease as they desperately longed to know the character's fate. If the trailers and promos are any indication, it does appear that Rip is still alive — for now, at least, as he appears to be comatose. Season 2 finds the team on the hunt for the man behind Rip's shooter, a powerful figure known as "The Prince" (Nikolai Nikolaeff, "Daredevil"). The Prince is fully aware of SEAL Team's quest for vengeance, but he will not hold back or compromise on his own personal desires, seemingly fear- less in the face of the six. While Trevor may be the latest member of the SEAL team, Laden isn't the only fresh face in season 2. Olivia Munn ("Miles from To- morrowland") plays the role of CIA operations officer Gina Cline, who seemingly has a tense past with some members of the team. While little is known about Gina pre-premiere, she appears to be a means of communication for the team, able to press captive terror- ists into providing the information required to help locate and take down The Prince. Her fearless, de- termined spirit makes her a formi- dable ally for the team, but for them to truly succeed together, trust must be established. Much of the show's success thus far stems from its gritty and authentic portrayal of covert mili- tary operations, particularly in terms of how the characters battle with their own sense of duty and morality. Rip's actions right at the start of the series exemplifies this. During a promo spot for "SIX," Goggins noted that Rip's decision to shoot was merely him "reacting to the trauma he's been under over the course of his time in the service." Additionally, "SIX" doesn't shy away from complicat- ing traditional notions of friend and foe. Even those initially seen as vil- lainous can have understandable motives, and for Goggins this is essential. Viewers may have wanted to side with Rip, but Gog- gins believes that it was "as im- portant to him to tell [his captor's] story as it was to tell [his own] story." Fleshing out both the ter- rorists and the SEAL Team mem- bers may put some at odds with the show, but such an act holds much significance in times like ours, when hero and villain are of- ten simply a matter of circum- stance and perspective. In humanizing warfare and con- flict, "SIX" challenges viewers not to forgive the violent actions of others, but to perhaps consider the trauma that may have led to someone committing such acts. The story always keeps SEAL Team Six at the forefront, but in doing so, it also reveals that even the tough- est of soldiers battle internal emo- tions and are weighed down by the endless onslaught of despair, doubt and aggression. Redeeming moments are found when the team can conquer its tasked mis- sion, validating the uncertainty of actions past and promising a more rewarding future. Discover if the team has what it takes to locate and take out The Prince — in honor of Rip — when "SIX" returns for its second season on Monday, May 28, on History. Olivia Munn as seen in "SIX" Perilous pursuit: The hunt is on for The Prince in season 2 of 'Six' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charley's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" GVC Mortgage 5 x 2"

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