Ep 1. Pride Before a Fall

In the first episode of the Israeli series, "Valley of Tears," titled "Pride Before a Fall," viewers are thrown into the chaos and violence of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The show follows a group of Israeli soldiers as they fight to protect their country from a surprise attack by Egypt and Syria.

Opening with the sound of air raid sirens, the episode begins with a young IDF soldier named Yoni (played by Lior Ashkenazi) rushing to the frontlines as war breaks out. He is a newly-minted officer, eager to prove himself on the battlefield and determined to defend his country. He joins up with his close friend, the more experienced Avinoam (played by Avraham Aviv Alush), who is also a soldier in Yoni's unit.

As the soldiers travel to the front, they encounter Israeli civilians who have been caught in the crossfire of the war. The tension and fear are palpable, and the show does an excellent job of conveying the chaos and confusion of war. Along the way, Yoni meets a young woman named Tali, who is desperately trying to escape the violence and find safety for herself and her family.

As the soldiers approach the frontlines, they encounter fierce resistance from the Egyptian army. Yoni quickly realizes that this fight will be much more difficult than he anticipated, as both sides suffer heavy casualties. The show repeatedly switches perspectives between the soldiers on the ground and the military commanders making decisions from afar, providing a well-rounded and nuanced view of the war and its impact on those involved.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, as Yoni, Avinoam, and their fellow soldiers find themselves dangerously outnumbered and outgunned. It's a tense and dramatic moment that leaves viewers eager to see what happens next.

Overall, the first episode of "Valley of Tears" sets a high bar for the rest of the series. The show's commitment to realism and attention to detail are apparent from the opening scene, and the characters are well-drawn and believable. The show does not shy away from the violence and brutality of war, but it also manages to find moments of humanity and empathy amidst the chaos. For those interested in historical dramas or war movies, "Valley of Tears" is definitely worth checking out.