Ep 2. Starfish

Set in the backdrop of Aden, Yemen in the 1960s, The Last Post follows the lives of the officers and their families at a British army base. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Starfish," there is a palpable sense of tension among the troops as they gear up for an upcoming operation to clear out rebels from the Radfan mountains.

As the episode begins, we see the arrival of a new unit led by Captain Parsons, a seasoned officer who quickly clashes with the base commander, Joe Martin. Parsons is dismissive of Martin's more relaxed approach to his troops and criticizes his lack of military discipline, leading to a power struggle between the two commanding officers that sets the tone for the rest of the episode.

Meanwhile, life at the base goes on with the officers and their families trying to cope with the heat and boredom of the desert. Alison Laithwaite, the base doctor's wife, struggles to adjust to the isolation of living in a foreign country away from her family and friends in the UK. The arrival of her aunt, Jessie, brings her some much-needed relief, but also adds to her guilt about putting her loved ones in danger by staying in Aden.

Elsewhere, Lance Corporal Tony Armstrong-Jones is tasked with training the new recruits, including a cocky and outspoken young soldier, Dave. Dave's attitude quickly earns him the ire of the other soldiers, and as tensions rise, Tony finds himself caught between keeping the peace and maintaining discipline among his troops.

As the day of the operation draws closer, Joe Martin and Captain Parsons continue to butt heads about the best course of action, with Martin insisting on a more measured approach to avoid civilian casualties, and Parsons advocating for a more aggressive military strategy. The tension between these two opposing viewpoints comes to a head during a heated exchange on the base, further exacerbating the already tense atmosphere.

The episode builds to a gripping climax as the troops set out on their mission, facing danger and the possibility of combat as they move through the unforgiving terrain of the Radfan mountains. Along the way, they encounter a group of Bedouin travelers, forcing them to question whether their mission is worth potentially harming innocent civilians.

Overall, season 1 episode 2 of The Last Post, titled "Starfish," is a tense and engaging snapshot of life in a tumultuous time and place. It offers a glimpse into the complexity of military operations and the difficult decisions that soldiers and their commanders must make in the face of danger and uncertainty. With its strong performances and captivating storyline, this episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how events will unfold in the next installment.