Perilous pursuit

The hunt is on for The Prince in season 2 of ‘Six’

By K.A. Taylor TV Media

For much of the western world, war is either something of the past or something happening far away. Acts of wartime heroism and sacrifice are honored periodically throughout the year, but seldom are they deeply reflected upon.

Television and films have long tried to bring the realities of war to those who will never experience it themselves. Notable small-screen at tempts include “M*A*S*H” and “Band of Brothers,” but these seldom possess the grit found in big-screen depictions. 2017 saw the exception to this, with the premiere of Histo ry’s “SIX,” which has its season 2 premiere appropriately airing on Monday, May 28: Memorial Day.

“SIX” is a high-intensity, highstakes drama that takes its in spiration from the real-life SEAL Team Six, a prominent component of the U.S. Armed Forces military di vision focused on coun terterrorism. Each epi sode delves into the split-second deci sions that members of SEAL Team must make, and how those decisions have a lasting effect both for the team members involved and for the surround ing community. Although the team isn’t adverse to

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Conan providing aid if possible, the mission at hand is always top of mind, with the nation’s security of primary importance.

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SEAL Team Six is comprised of quite a diverse cast. Barry Sloane (“Longmire”) is Joe “Bear” Graves, the team’s senior chief special warfare operator. Providing support are Kyle Schmid (“Being Human”) as Alex Caulder and Juan Pablo Raba (“Narcos”) as Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz. Rounding out the cast are Jaylen

Moore (“Bad Moms,” 2016) as Armin Khan and Edwin Hodge (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Robert Chase III, fellow special warfare operators. After the events of season 1, SEAL Team Six required a new member, found in Eric Ladin’s (“Bosch”) role as special warfare operator first class, Trevor. Season 1 of “SIX” wasted little time wading into the moral grey zone of war, with senior chief special warfare operator Richard “Rip” Taggart (Walton Goggins, “The Hateful Eight,” 2015) quickly reduced to former senior chief special warfare operator after shooting a man who had claimed to have American citizenship. A few years later, while earning a living working in private security at a Nigerian school for girls, Rip was taken hostage, prompting his former team to find and rescue him. The team’s relentless hunt did not go unrewarded, but a betrayal resulted in a violent assault on Rip, filling fans with unease as they desperately longed to know the character’s fate.

If the trailers and promos are any indication, it does appear that Rip is still alive — for now, at least, as he appears to be comatose. Season 2 finds the team on the hunt for the man behind Rip’s shooter, a powerful figure known as “The Prince” (Nikolai Nikolaeff, “Daredevil”). The Prince is aware of SEAL Team’s quest for vengeance, but he will not hold back or compromise on his own personal de- sires, seemingly fearless in the face of the six.

While Trevor may be the latest member of the SEAL team, Laden isn’t the only fresh face in season 2. Olivia Munn (“Miles from Tomorrowland”) plays the role of CIA operations officer Gina Cline, who seemingly has a tense past with some members of the team. While little is known about Gina pre-premiere, she appears to be a means of communication for the team, able to press captive terrorists into providing the information required to locate and take down The Prince. Her fearless, determined spirit makes her a formidable ally for the team, but for them to truly succeed, trust must be established.

Much of the show’s success stems from its gritty and authentic portrayal of covert military operations, particularly in terms of how the characters battle with their own sense of duty and morality. Rip’s actions right at the start of the series exemplifies this. During a promo spot for “SIX,” Goggins noted that Rip’s decision to shoot was merely him “reacting to the trauma he’s been under over the course of his time in the service.” Additionally, “SIX” doesn’t shy away from complicating traditional notions of friend and foe.

Even those initially seen as villainous can have understandable motives, and for Goggins this is essential. Viewers may have wanted to side with Rip, but Goggins believes that it was “as important to him to tell [his captor’s] story as it was to tell [his own] story.” Fleshing out both the terrorists and the SEAL Team members may put some at odds with the show, but such an act holds much significance in times like ours, when hero and villain are often simply a matter of circumstance and perspective.

In humanizing warfare and conflict, “SIX” challenges viewers not to forgive the violent actions of others, but to consider the trauma that may have led to someone committing such acts. The story always keeps SEAL Team Six at the forefront, but also reveals that even the toughest of soldiers battle internal emotions and are weighed down by the endless onslaught of despair, doubt and aggression. Redeeming moments are found when the team can conquer its tasked mission, validating the uncertainty of actions past and promising a rewarding future.

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