Boom!
At first glance, I wasn’t quite sure about the creation of Catch-22, but that’s because of the wider culture. Most people in the West tend to think of World War II as “the good war,” so it seemed unfathomable that anyone would satirize the Greatest Generation and the destruction of fascism with the help of entertainment titans like George Clooney and Hugh Laurie. However, I soon realized that the material at hand was at least partially inspired by the real exploits of Joseph Heller, who later wrote the novel. Then again, I also found out that Heller actually enjoyed his time in World War II and that the novel was designed to reflect the Cold War, even though the actual story has next to nothing to do with that.
In my confusion, I decided to bask in the absurdity and watch the show anyway.
Much to my surprise, it stands as one of the best satires that I have ever seen.
The Cast Makes It All Worthwhile.
Any serious story would paint Yossarian as a coward, but this is a twisted satire.
This show would not be what it is without the cast.
Christopher Abbott takes the lead as Lt./Capt. John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Force bombardier who is at the center of the story. I had not heard of Abbott before this series, but I can say that he delivers the kind of performance that may land him an award or two in the near future. At first, Abbott’s Yossarian wants to do his part like any patriot would, but the enemy shrapnel and the absurd requests of his commanding officers slowly starts to chip away at his sanity.
The character is deeply flawed, but I think that you’ll genuinely feel for the guy. After all, he’s just trying to keep his head down and survive!
Speaking of the commanding officers, George Clooney, Kyle Chandler, and Hugh Laurie steal the show as Lieutenant/Colonel/General Scheisskopf (Pfft!), Colonel Cathcart, and Major — de Coverley. Although Chandler’s Cathcart is the main foil for our anti-hero, Clooney and Laurie overshadow almost every scene that they’re in with the sheer magnitude of their ballsy presence.
Some people might knock this miniseries for the archetypal nature of the supporting cast, but I was easily able to understand why they each had a role to play in this masterful farce. The soldiers and base staff complement Yossarian’s journey by pointing out how war can lead to different personal outcomes. Some people get to go home with no real issue, others make stupid or horrific decisions, and yet more are killed before they even get their feet wet. In my opinion, the true standouts are Milo Minderbinder (Daniel David Stewart), Nately (Austin Stowell), Nurse Duckett (Tessa Ferrer), and Snowden (Harrison Osterfield). You’ll see why when you watch the show!
The Plot Is Surprisingly Easy To Understand.
Business is booming. Huzzah!
I know that some people have a problem with military fiction because it often relies on jargon, technical details, and other things like that. Luckily for them, Catch-22 simplifies most of that so that it can focus on a deeply human plot that see-saws between moments of comedic respite and pitch-black drama.
As I mentioned above, the story focuses on Yossarian as he fights his way through the Italian front of World War II. At first, he seems happy to get the job done, but Colonel Cathcart has other ideas. Every time Yossarian thinks that he’s about to be rotated out, Cathcart screws him by raising the mission cap. Our anti-hero responds to this with increasingly absurd antics, but he can’t seem to grasp the fact that his superiors are using him to make themselves look good. He tries to fight through his troubles, but many of his actions come back to bite him in the ass.
Apparently, he hasn’t read the title.
Milo Minderbinder dominates a significant B-story that reflects the Cold War-esque nature of the source material. His entire arc is supposed to represent the rise of the military-industrial complex and modern war profiteering. You won’t exactly see the point of Heller’s criticism when Minderbinder is selling chocolate bars, but the character’s thought-provoking shenanigans quickly escalate to the point of madness.
While the show may have the trappings of World War II, the B-story may compel you to think about the people who have been (or are currently being) rewarded for ripping us all off. The lessons here can be applied to almost any era, which invokes a masterful feeling of timelessness.
The Problems.
Do you notice anything that’s missing?
The show isn’t exactly perfect, but I’m not sure if some of the problems are a tip of the hat to Heller’s usage of anachronisms or unintentional oversights on the part of the production crew.
For instance, there are certain points where the show gets basic military details wrong. One can see that Yossarian and many of his fellow airmen don’t wear their rank on their uniforms. After a few moments of thought, I saw that choice as a means of illustrating that prestige doesn’t matter all that much when you’re actually under fire. On the other side of the coin, the higher-ups wear their oak leaves, eagles, and stars, which may be a way of representing their power over everyone else.
On another note, the affair between Yossarian and Marion Scheisskopf (Julie Ann Emery) isn’t developed all that well. I know that it’s supposedly a way for Yossarian to get back at Scheisskopf (LOL!) for the torment of drill instruction, but it morphs into a pseudo-romantic storyline for some unknown reason. I thought that he was on the verge of picking one of the other women at certain points, so why would he dream of a multiple-night stand that may or may not have been discovered by the husband?
I have no clue.
Conclusion.
Who doesn’t like prime cuts of meat?
Catch-22 may have a few problems here and there, but it’s nothing short of a work of art. The characters are well-rounded, the story makes quite a bit of sense, and the visuals are spectacular. History buffs will almost certainly enjoy this satire, but it’s also a good fit for adults who like to sit back and think about the entertainment that they’re consuming.
If you have six hours, binge it!
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