Valley of Tears Season 1 Episode 9 The Abyss
- December 7, 2020
- 38 min
-
8.7 (113)
The Abyss is a gripping episode from the Season 1 of the heart-wrenching war drama Valley of Tears. The show revolves around the 1973 Yom Kippur War and its devastating impact on the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, their families, and the wider society. In this particular episode, the characters face some of the toughest challenges yet as they confront their fears, doubts, and losses amidst the brutal warfare.
The story unfolds in several intertwined plotlines, each highlighting the different perspectives and experiences of the people involved in the conflict. At the center of the action is the infantry unit tasked with clearing the Syrian bunkers on the Golan Heights, a strategic point that could decide the outcome of the war. Among the soldiers are the young and naive Haim, the battle-hardened Avinoam, the reserved and intellectual Allon, and the fierce and determined Avital. Each of them has their own reasons for being there, but all share the same fate of facing danger and death at every turn.
As the episode progresses, we witness the horrors of war in its full intensity. The explosions, gunfire, and screams of wounded soldiers create a constant backdrop of chaos and confusion. The soldiers are forced to improvise and adapt to the changing circumstances, using whatever means they can to survive and prevail. They face enemy fire from the Syrian army that is better equipped and trained than they are, but they also have to deal with friendly fire from their own allies who mistake them for the enemy.
But the violence of the battle is only one aspect of the story. Equally gripping are the emotional struggles of the characters, both on and off the field. We see Haim wrestling with his conscience after accidentally killing a Syrian soldier in close combat, and Avinoam grappling with the guilt of abandoning his injured comrade to save himself. Allon, in turn, faces the harsh reality of being an outsider in the macho and aggressive army culture, while Avital struggles with the fear of losing her husband in the war.
As the episode nears its climax, the tension rises to an unbearable level. The soldiers find themselves trapped in a narrow canyon, surrounded by Syrian forces on all sides. The situation seems hopeless, and their only chance is to wait for the backup force to arrive. But the waiting itself becomes a torture, as they have to endure the freezing cold, hunger, and thirst, and the constant fear of being annihilated by the enemy. It is in this moment of despair that the true character of the soldiers and their bond with each other are tested to the limit.
Overall, The Abyss is a powerful and emotionally charged episode that captures the essence of the Valley of Tears series. It showcases both the heroism and the tragedy of war, and highlights the human side of the conflict that often gets overshadowed by the political and military angles. The performances of the cast, especially the lead actors, are outstanding, and the direction and production values are top-notch. Whether you are a fan of war dramas or simply a lover of good storytelling, this episode is not to be missed.