Crossroads was written by Erik Jendresen, dramatizing events from Stephen E. Ambrose’s non-fiction book exploring the 101st during World War II. This episode, first aired on 30 September, 2001, and is the halfway mark of the Tom Hanks (who also directs this episode) and Seven Spielberg produced mini-series.

The main narrative of the episode follows Lt. Dick Winters (Damien Lewis) as he files his after action report, and finds himself haunted by the face of a young German SS officer he killed. The episode explores Winter’s leadership, his command style, and the people who followed him.

Easy Company is in Holland, and are working on a plan to not only aid some British para troopers, but find that a German machine gun nest they were supposed to hit ends up being two companies of SS with mechanical support.

And not only does Winter have tot deal with the combat, and leading his men, he has orders of his own to follow, as Colonel Sink (Dale Dye) reminds him… paperwork and admin. He also works to make sure his men are safe. He leads from the front, and it ends up being a wonder he came through the war.

His efforts lead to a promotion to Executive Officer, hence all the need paperwork but it means Easy gets a new Lieutenant.

But the war goes on, and lives are claimed. And each mission has its cost. The mission to aid the paratroopers involves sneaking them across the Rhine, from behind enemy lines. And as things start to wrap up for the episode, Easy is leaving for the Ardennes, and Buck (Neal McDonough) seems to be wavering, and their new Lt. Dike (Peter O’Meara).

And as they head in to Bastogne, they are met by beaten troops who are retreating. A driver (Jimmy Fallon) reports that they won’t get a resupply, they’re going to be surrounded.

The series is so well-made, attention is paid to every detail to make it as realistic as can be, while still delivering an engaging narrative that follows actual events as closely as possible.

Bastogne ends up being a crucible for Easy Company. And it’s a brutal one at that. The episode depicting their time there was written by Bruce C. McKenna, and debuted on 7 October, 2001.

It’s the dead of winter. Easy Company is holding the line in the forests of Basogne, and not only have to deal with the enemy, but hunger, frostbite and the unending cold. And it may be too much for some of them.

They are under-supplied, have no winter wear, and are struggling to survive. Not to mention that Dike is a bit of moron. We see comrades and strengths tested, and it’s tough and fascinating watch to see how things played out.

In the midst of this winter brutality, medic, Roe (Shane Taylor) sees more of the war, as he deals not only with the wounded on the front line, but at a medical station where he befriends a Belgian nurse, Renee Lemaire (Lucie Jeanne).

Once again, both episodes open with interviews with surviving members of Easy Company, and it just makes everything more poignant, grounded, and intense.

And we learn why Buck is becoming untethered… he got a dear john letter, and is having a tough time recovering.

The sheer terror of circumstances these men went through is completely unparalleled and even as an adapted story, grounded in as many facts as were possible, makes this an intense and heartbreaking watch.

The events here were also known as the Battle of the Bulge, though no member of Easy Company ever claimed to have needed rescuing as some would have had you believe.