The Worst Episodes of Tour of Duty

#1 Worst Episode
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7.8/10(132 votes)
#1 - Dislocations
S1:E310/8/1987
Among the villagers being relocated by the platoon is a beautiful woman to whom Goldman is attracted. When they are attacked on the trail, Goldman's life is saved by a VC who turns out to be the woman's husband.
Director:Aaron Lipstadt
Writer:Steven Phillip Smith
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Director:Aaron Lipstadt
Writer:Steven Phillip Smith
7.8/10(76 votes)
#2 - Saigon (2)
S2:E21/10/1989
Anderson meets with his wife and sees her off after her announcement that she is remarrying. Goldman begins a relationship with Devlin which almost ends as they are both nearly blown up by a VC bomb. Percell is fed up with the senselessness of the war and Ruiz becomes convinced that he is going to be the next to die. Johnson and Taylor go to check on Bridger only to be told that he is dead (he is faking it), while Stacy Bridger has arrived to find her father. Goldman is ordered to have Alex pull her story about the soldier who died in the opium parlor and Zeke runs into Stacy Bridger -- rescuing her from some Vietnamese punks. He takes her back to the hotel where Zeke ends up trying to save a suicidal marine deserter. The deserter has sold information to the VC and ends up killing himself. Meanwhile McKay sends Goldman on a ""snipe"" hunt so that he can be alone with Alex, and inadvertently exposes Goldman to serious danger.
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Rick Husky
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Rick Husky
7.8/10(73 votes)
#3 - Terms of Enlistment
S2:E93/21/1989
A new man -- Woods -- walking point accidentally steps on a pressure-activated mine. While they are trying to get him off it, they are told a squad of VC are heading straight at them. McKay finally arrives to lift them out of the hot LZ. Zeke plans an R&R in Tokyo with Jennifer but the plans go awry when Major Darling offers Seymour a teaching post and position back in the States -- and she only has 48 hours to make her decision. Meanwhile a homosexual GI tries to commit suicide when he is being blackmailed. Jennifer tries to help him -- at the cost of her own career. Meanwhile Woods ends up in a fight, and Taylor realizes the man has career-potential abilities.
Director:Charles Correll
Writers:Rick Husky, Dennis Cooper
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Director:Charles Correll
Writers:Rick Husky, Dennis Cooper
8.0/10(113 votes)
#4 - War Lover
S1:E410/15/1987
The men find themselves assigned to a 'hot shot' sergeant with a mission to destroy an enemy bridge. Tempers reach a breaking point when Anderson finds a living Vietnamese child and the sergeant wants the child killed.
Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Rick Husky
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Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Rick Husky
8.0/10(76 votes)
#5 - True Grit
S2:E41/24/1989
Anderson risks court-martial to delay the return of battle-weary men to combat.
Director:Edwin Sherin
Writer:Steven Phillip Smith
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Director:Edwin Sherin
Writer:Steven Phillip Smith
8.0/10(74 votes)
#6 - Non-Essential Personnel
S2:E51/31/1989
Alex sets out to expose a major whose questionable judgement has caused casualties.
Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Elia Katz
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Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Elia Katz

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8.1/10(718 votes)
#7 - Nightmare
S2:E103/28/1989
Goldman searches for McKay after the Army gives up; Percell faces charges for killing a social worker's attacker.
Director:Tommy Lee Wallace
Writers:Steven Phillip Smith, Rick Husky
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Director:Tommy Lee Wallace
Writers:Steven Phillip Smith, Rick Husky
8.1/10(149 votes)
#8 - Notes from the Underground
S1:E210/1/1987
The VC are mauling the American soldiers through their use of the underground tunnels. On their latest trip into the bush, Anderson and the men provide a blocking force, only the Gooks being driven toward them disappear down into the tunnels... and Goldman and Anderson end up firing on Americans -- thinking they are VC coming toward them. The team ends up in a village but again gets attacked as the VC pop up out the tunnels and then back into them after the attack. Taylor is captured during this fighting -- having been wounded. Taylor ends up being befriended by a VC Doc who has no interest in fighting -- only in returning home alive. On the surface, Anderson and Goldman go into the tunnels, only to end up entombed by a cave-in.
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
8.1/10(87 votes)
#9 - Saigon (1)
S2:E11/3/1989
Having received some warning of the upcoming Tet Offensive (In Angel of Mercy), Bravo Co. is still unprepared for what happens to them after they are transferred to Tan Son Nhut Base outside of Saigon. Zeke and Goldman catch up with one of their men in an opium parlor and have a run-in with some Vietnamese thugs. The situation is basically under control until a female wire service correspondent -- Alex Devlin -- butts in. Alex explains that she was following up on a story lead. Lt. McKay is introduced as a chopper pilot who will be shuttling Bravo Co. As they prepare to leave on a mission, Zeke opens a letter from his ex-wife who claims she will soon arrive in Saigon to see him. The company is landed in a hot-LZ and only gets saved from sure disaster when Lt. McKay uses his helicopter to fire machine guns at the hostile position. Alex meets up with Jake Bridger who tells a story about VC infiltrating the cities as peasants. McKay and Goldman start to ""argue"" over both their increasing
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Rick Husky
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Rick Husky
8.1/10(81 votes)
#10 - Sleeping Dogs
S2:E62/7/1989
Anderson goes into the jungle to find a disturbed friend who refused a transfer home.
Director:Stephen L. Posey
Writer:Jerry Patrick Brown
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Director:Stephen L. Posey
Writer:Jerry Patrick Brown
8.1/10(74 votes)
#11 - For What It's Worth
S2:E31/17/1989
While out on a patrol, Anderson and Goldman observe some VC transporting an American prisoner and photograph him before leaving the area. Although they are badly outnumbered, Ruiz stupidly goes back down the trail after a necklace he dropped, tipping their position and getting a man killed. Alex drops by to see Goldman. Zeke goes to the hospital to try to straighten out some records and ends up saving the life of psychiatrist Jennifer Seymour from a homicidally insane LURP. An explosion in the latrine sets of Major Darling, while Anderson suggests that it might not be VC but an American solider who planted the grenade. Taylor gets accused -- falsely -- of doing the dirty deed and now it is up to Anderson and Goldman to find a way to clear him. Ruiz begins to completely breakdown. Anderson's budding relationship with Seymour is short-circuited when he betrays her confidence by sharing information he gained from her in an effort to clear Taylor.
Director:Edwin Sherin
Writer:Dennis Cooper
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Director:Edwin Sherin
Writer:Dennis Cooper
8.1/10(67 votes)
#12 - Sins of the Fathers
S2:E134/25/1989
Alex risks her life by investigating a prostitute's murder in which Taylor is implicated.
Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Rick Husky
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Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Rick Husky
8.2/10(188 votes)
#13 - Pilot
S1:E19/24/1987
After Firebase Ladybird suffers heavy casualties, Sgt. Anderson goes to division headquarters to make a report and recruit replacements. He selects the best from a group of new recruits and they meet, for the first time, their new leader, 2nd Lt. Goldman.
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writers:Steve Duncan, L. Travis Clark
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writers:Steve Duncan, L. Travis Clark
8.2/10(111 votes)
#14 - Brothers, Fathers, and Sons
S1:E711/12/1987
Anderson, Baker, and Johnson are shot down while catching a ride in a helicopter, which explodes just after it hits the ground. They are unhurt but the pilot is dead, and VC soldiers are firing at their position. Zeke manages to kill all of the VC but one, who escapes. With the fighting over for the present, they begin the long trek back to base, all the while being hunted by the VC. The enemy group is led by Trang, a man who wants to kill the Americans for revenge. The three Americans stumble upon a village of Montagnards who have been wiped out, all but a pregnant woman who is dying... and does just as the child is born. Anderson is adamant about leaving the baby behind, but Johnson and Baker consider that move barbaric. Anderson ends up taking care of the baby and forming the strongest bond. Meanwhile, Goldman is out looking for Zeke and the others. Back in the jungle, Anderson risks his life to get milk for the baby and keeps the child from being killed. In a heated exchange of gun
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
8.2/10(109 votes)
#15 - Battling Baker Brothers
S1:E912/10/1987
Baker insists his fellow squad members follow him to an incoming helicopter. The incoming ""VIP"" turns out to be Baker's twin brother, who brings along a skate board that the whole squad uses for fun. Carl Baker turns out to be nothing like his brother: he is hard-drinking, womanizing, party-goer. The two brothers end up in a fight, nearly destroying the base in the process. Carl celebrates their birthdays by bringing in a truck-load full of Vietnamese hookers. They all party down and, in the end, Baker ends up doubly-mad as his brother ""steals"" his girl. Carl leaves the next morning with neither brother on speaking terms and everyone in trouble. Carl's helicopter goes down and Baker goes in after him, managing to get caught by the same VC who have his brother. They are both tortured by the VC and Anderson and Goldman must go in to rescue the two.
Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
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Director:Bill L. Norton
Writer:Bill L. Norton
8.2/10(103 votes)
#16 - Sitting Ducks
S1:E510/29/1987
The company provides security for an irrigation project, but after several successful ambushes on them, the men of B Company suspect their Vietnamese scout of spying.
Director:Aaron Lipstadt
Writer:Steve Bello
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Director:Aaron Lipstadt
Writer:Steve Bello
8.2/10(102 votes)
#17 - Nowhere to Run
S1:E1012/17/1987
Two sappers make their way into Firebase Ladybird without being detected, but Percell sees the third one, killing him. The other two manage to set off their explosives before they can be stopped. The next morning, Capt. Wallace orders Anderson and Goldman to have their men police up the dead bodies.. Anderson complains his men are beat, but Wallace isn't concerned. Percell is upset both over a friend's dying and having received a ""Dear John"" letter. Goldman, meantime, runs into an old friend: Lt. Nikki Raines, and promises to meet her later. Goldman, Anderson and the squad go out to destroy a bridge, which they blow up. Percell, in the midst of chasing a running VC, accidentally kills an 8-year-old. Percell is devistated over the incident.
Director:Randy Roberts
Writer:Rick Husky
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Director:Randy Roberts
Writer:Rick Husky
8.2/10(86 votes)
#18 - Paradise Lost
S1:E193/26/1988
The men from Bravo company are patrolling in the jungle when they find a fresh trail, one that leads to a trap by a group of VC soldiers. The Americans are out-numbered and in a very bad position. Suddenly they are rescued by Montagnards. Anderson trusts them, and has the squad follow them back to their village where they meet the translator -- an ex-GI (Kithem). The American is obviously hostile to the presence of Goldman and the rest of the Americans. Against Kithem and Anderson's better judgement, Goldman follows orders to help fortify the native ""compound"" against the VC. Kithem warns that all the American attention will only bring down the ARVN and NVA forces. Which is exactly what happens.
Director:James L. Conway
Writer:Unknown
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Director:James L. Conway
Writer:Unknown
8.2/10(82 votes)
#19 - The Short Timer
S1:E183/19/1988
Bravo company is on another S mission. A new man is on point, and he stops the patrol when he sees some blood, which he follows to a Vietnam booby trap. He's killed. Taylor takes over point, even though he is a short timer. Later, he manages to survive an encounter with an NVA machine gun nest after he destroys it. Taylor must address his mixed emotions about his near return to home. His fear and distaste for Vietnam is equaled only by the darkness of the life waiting for him at home. Taylor, after a ""Dear John"" phone call from home, signs up for another tour.
Director:Bill Duke
Writer:Bruce Reisman
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Director:Bill Duke
Writer:Bruce Reisman
8.2/10(74 votes)
#20 - A Bodyguard of Lies
S3:E510/28/1989
Utter havoc reigns in the jungle after a newby makes a mistake and two other soldiers are killed going to his resuce. The men are led by Lt. Beller, and his unit has seen far too much action and too much death. Beller is an old friend of Goldman's, together they are sent back out to search for an NVA regiment. Beller tells command that his men need rest or they are going to snap but Brewster insists they must go out. Meanwhile everyone is happy to see Anderson return, except for the ever-depressed Percell. Goldman spends some time with Beller. Percell is going over the edge fast and no one knows that he has started to use drugs. Anderson discovers that Brewster is married to a Vietnamese girl and they have a child. The next day, on their mission, Percell (drugged up) starts to panic. Beller's unit creates a My Lai-type of massacre in the field and that sends Percell off the deep end and straight into the waiting arms of heroin dealers.
Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Brian Herskowitz
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Director:Jim Johnston
Writer:Brian Herskowitz
8.2/10(74 votes)
#21 - War is a Contact Sport
S3:E183/24/1990
Out in the field, Percell captures a VC. Doc and another soldier stand guard. A second VC attacks Danny and while Doc and the other soldier watch, the first VC grabs a gun. Doc refuses to fire, despite the fact that he has the only other weapon and the third American is killed. Colonel Brewster returns for the Phu An board of inquiry. Everyone ostracizes Doc, feeling that they can't trust him. Goldman meets up with Brewster after Pop has punched the colonel out. Meanwhile, Ruiz and Taylor have crawled out of the jungle after 22 days. Doc, told he is going to be transferred out as he is "no longer dependable," meets up with Pop and goes on a bender. Ruiz leans that Suzanne has suffered a breakdown due to the stress of the job and losing him (she thought).
Director:Stephen Caffrey
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Stephen Caffrey
Writer:Unknown
8.2/10(69 votes)
#22 - Lonesome Cowboy Blues
S2:E124/11/1989
Anderson and Goldman find a leak in a top-secret operation; Alex must prove herself to a shady new boss.
Director:Charles Correll
Writer:W.K. Scott Meyer
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Director:Charles Correll
Writer:W.K. Scott Meyer
8.2/10(67 votes)
#23 - The Ties That Bind
S3:E310/7/1989
Col. Carl Brewster enters the local Vietnamese town to make the ""boom-boom"" parlor off-limits because of men catching the clap. Goldman and McKay attended the funeral for Alex who was killed in the bomb explosion. Anderson and the squad have been transferred to MACV-SOG, under the command of Col. Brewster. Brewster lets Hockenberry ""volunteer"" for a special assignment ,cleaning up the whore houses. Goldman has trouble dealing with his feelings about Alex's death. Anderson is thinking about using some of his leave to go visit his daughter, but he is concerned about Goldman. Goldman returns to the unit, both he and Anderson meets up with Brewster for the first time. Goldman breaks up a party when the unit meets up with Baker again -- by telling Johnson that he is in charge of the squad while Anderson goes home for some leave. Zeke visits his ex-wife, Carol, and their daughter, Katie. Johnson finds he has a hard time filling Zeke's shoes and dealing with Percell who is on a dangerous downward spiral.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
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Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.3/10(109 votes)
#24 - The Good, the Bad and the Dead
S1:E811/19/1987
A drunken GI steals a chaplain's jeep and goes on a joy ride with a Vietnamese hooker. They nearly collide with a jeep-load of MPs who chase him down. His arrest is witnessed by Zeke, who recognizes him as Decker, his former drill sergeant and role model. Anderson rescues Decker from a certain court-martial (his second) and drafts him into the squad without checking with Goldman first. Decker is popular with the guys but he almost immediately starts to disobey orders. Decker mans a listening post with Horn to watch for enemy troops movements, but he gets drunk and falls asleep. As a result, Horn is nearly killed.
Director:Reynaldo Villalobos
Writer:Brad Radnitz
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Director:Reynaldo Villalobos
Writer:Brad Radnitz
8.3/10(87 votes)
#25 - Blood Brothers
S1:E173/12/1988
Retired Major General Goldman arrives by helicopter at Firebase Ladybird on a fact finding mission for Washington brass. Seeing another helicopter landing, he goes to greet and question Anderson and his soldiers about the mission they have just returned from. They later learn that the general is Goldman's father but it is clear when they meet that the two don't have a good relationship. They were estranged when Myron's mother died five years before and haven't spoken since. The Major general finds that his son's leadership methods appall him. Ruiz befriends a new man who joins the team, mainly because he is also a hispanic. But the man manages to get himself killed due to his careless attitude. Dalby orders Goldman's men into an impossible attack which Myron refuses to go on. Zeke and Goldman realize that the new man was on dope and set out to cure the problem themselves.
Director:Charles Correll
Writer:Christian Darren
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Director:Charles Correll
Writer:Christian Darren