tour of duty tv series on youtube

TOUR OF DUTY – 10 Facts About the 1980s Vietnam War Drama

By the mid-1980s, there had been TV shows set during the Civil War, World War II, and the Korean Conflict, but never the Vietnam War. That all changed with  Tour Of Duty.

Set in 1967–1968, this groundbreaking drama series follows an infantry platoon as they fight the enemy — and each other — in Southeast Asia. Members of the platoon in season one include Capt. Rusty Wallace ( Kevin Conroy ), Sgt. Zeke Anderson ( Terence Knox ), Lt. Myron Goldman ( Stephen Caffrey ), Pvt. Roger Horn ( Joshua Maurer ), Pvt. Doc Matsuda ( Steve Akahoshi ), Cpl. Danny Percell ( Tony Becker ), Pvt. Scott Baker ( Eric Bruskotter ), Sgt. Marvin Johnson ( Stan Foster ), Pvt. Alberto Ruiz ( Ramon Franco ), and Pvt. Marcus Taylor ( Miguel A. Nunez Jr .). Subsequent seasons attracted marquee stars in limited roles.

With its continuing narrative, big name stars, and historically high production values,  Tour of Duty  has many of the qualities of today’s premium dramas. But it struggled to find an audience in a primetime landscape littered with light comedies. Thirty years later, the critically acclaimed series feels more groundbreaking than ever. And you can see for yourself what makes  Tour Of Duty  a unique TV classic every Monday–Thursday late night on getTV! Here are some fascinating facts about this groundbreaking series.

1. It was inspired by  Platoon.

In December of 1986, Oliver Stone’s  Platoon  drew raves from critics and moviegoers with its unflinching depiction of the Vietnam War. More than a decade after the conflict ended, American audiences finally seemed to ready to examine a highly divisive chapter in our history. And when the film won four Oscars — including Best Picture — a TV show dealing with the same period was inevitable.  Tour Of Duty  is not based on  Platoon , but its depiction of an infantry platoon in the same period (1967–68) is clearly inspired by it.

2. The series was produced with military cooperation.

While  Platoon  was made without any official involvement by the Army,  Tour Of Duty  producers New World Television sought the blessing of the Department of Defense. With it came advice, equipment, and the use of the Army’s Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as the production’s home base. But government cooperation came with a catch: veto power. The Army insisted on changes during season one and, though executive producer  Zev Braun  agreed, he made it clear who was running the show. “It is our avowed purpose to show the reality of war,” he told the  Los Angeles Times  in 1987. “We will not accede (to a change) if it is a major part of the story."

3. Changes were made for season two.

After surviving a low-rated but critically acclaimed first season,  Tour Of Duty  was retooled for its second season. The setting was changed to the Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base near Saigon and new cast members were added, including  Kim Delaney  (a future Emmy winner for  NYPD Blue ) as a young reporter on the base. Women were added to the cast, in part, to better compete with  China Beach , a soapy, Vietnam War drama series that debuted on ABC in 1988.

4. It had tough competition.

When  Tour of Duty  premiered in September of 1987, CBS scheduled it on Thursdays at 8pm. Its competition was T he Cosby Show  and  Family Ties , then the two top rated primetime shows on network TV. Fans breathed a sigh of relief when CBS moved the timeslot to Saturday for season three — until they found out it was up against  The Golden Girls  and  Empty Nest .

5. It was filmed on the set of another famous military-themed series.

Along with a change in setting in season two came a change in location. Production moved from Hawaii to Hollywood, specifically to the back lot where the long-running  M*A*S*H  had wrapped production just a few years earlier. That Korean War-set series shared 22 cast and crew members with  Tour of Duty , including  Rosalind Chao ,  Mako , and  Robert Ito .

6. Season two was cut short.

While seasons one and three had standard, full-season episode orders from CBS, season two was cut to just 16 shows. It wasn’t necessarily the fault of low ratings or budget cuts, but rather a strike by the Writer’s Guild of America that endured for 5 months and hobbled primetime television. Thirty years later, it remains the longest strike in WGA history.

7. Big names were added for season three.

For the third season, action moved away from the base and back out to the field, as the platoon was transferred to a Studies and Observation Group unit. Big names were added to the cast to boost the ratings, including  Carl Weathers  ( Rocky ) as Colonel Brewster and  Lee Majors  ( The Six Million Dollar Man ) as Pop Scarlett. Future star  Kyle Chandler  ( Friday Night Lights ) also had a recurring role in season three as Pvt. William Griner. Notable guest stars included  Angela Bassett ,  Ving Rhames , and  David Allan Grier .

8. It was an expensive show to produce.

“We've got a series that we think is like none other,” executive producer Zev Braun told UPI when the series debuted in 1987. Production costs were unusually expensive for a primetime series of the era: $1.25 million per show. The pilot itself had a budget of more than $3 million, with season one costing more than $30 million. While that may not have paid off in the ratings, it did in critical acclaim and awards consideration.  Tour of Duty  was nominated for three Emmys, winning once for the show’s complex and highly realistic sound design.

9. It depicted real events.

Tour Of Duty  frequently depicted actual events that happened during the Vietnam War, including the raid of Son Tay Prison. And the first story arc of season three dealt with the highly emotional topic of missing in action soldiers. “Over 2,300 soldiers Americans classified 'Missing' in the Vietnam War are still unaccounted for,” a title read on the first episode of season three. “Reported live sightings could indicate some are still held prisoner in Southeast Asia.” On the show, the two M.I.A soldiers — Terence Knox as Anderson and Stephen Caffrey as Goldman — were recovered after being held captive in a Viet Cong prison camp.

10. There were  five  soundtrack albums.

Because of the huge popularity of the 1960s pop songs of the era,  Tour of Duty  inspired not one but four soundtrack releases between 1988 and 1989. There was also a fifth compilation release in 1992 after the series had concluded its three-season run.

For more,  visit the getTV schedule .

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Tour of Duty Season 1 Episodes

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It's Vietnam 1967 and veteran sergeant Zeke Anderson leads the young, new recruits of Bravo Company as they confront the terrifying reality of jungle combat..

Season 1 Episode Guide

21 Episodes 1987 - 1988

Pilot Episode

Thu, Sep 24, 1987 60 mins

In the series pilot, veteran sergeant Zeke Anderson and a new second lieutenant lead their troops to engage the North Vietnamese Army regulars who ambushed them earlier.

Notes from the Underground

Thu, Oct 1, 1987 60 mins

Anderson and Goldman enter a tunnel complex to rescue a wounded Taylor, who's befriended by an NVA doctor.

Dislocations

Thu, Oct 8, 1987 60 mins

Goldman and Ruiz become attached to two civilians they're relocating from a village destined for destruction. Dep: April Tran. Lang: Tia Carrere. Anderson: Terence Knox. Mama-san: Ngoc Thi Le. Horn: Joshua Maurer.

Thu, Oct 15, 1987 60 mins

Bravo Company supports a demolition team led by a gung-ho sergeant (William Russ) who made a lasting impression on Anderson (Terence Knox) in their last encounter. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Spec. 4 Leroy James: Zaid Farid. Chan: Roland Nip.

Sitting Ducks

Thu, Oct 29, 1987 60 mins

Goldman may have a mutiny on his hands when several NVA ambushes suggest that someone is supplying patrol routes to the enemy; Horn (Joshua Maurer) gets a closer look at Buddhism. Trahn: Mako. Quang: James Hong. Li Than: Tamlyn Tomita.

Burn, Baby, Burn

Thu, Nov 5, 1987 60 mins

Tensions mount after a bigoted white soldier is found stabbed with a bayonet belonging to Johnson (Stan Foster). Innis: Mark Rolston. Tucker: Ving Rhames. Anderson: Terence Knox.

Brothers, Fathers and Sons

Thu, Nov 12, 1987 60 mins

After surviving a chopper crash, Anderson, Baker and Johnson come across a devastated village, where a lone survivor has just entered the world. Anderson: Terence Knox. Baker: Eric Bruskotter. Johnson: Stan Foster. Trang: Baoan Coleman. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey.

The Good, the Bad and the Dead

Thu, Nov 19, 1987 60 mins

Anderson comes to the aid of his boot-camp drill sergeant (Tim Thomerson), a decorated veteran whose value to the unit is compromised by his penchant for bourbon. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Virotsky: Bill Fiddler. Rita May: Stephanie Tsai.

The Battling Baker Brothers

Thu, Dec 10, 1987 60 mins

A birthday reunion for Baker and his twin brother Carl turns ugly when party boy Carl intrudes on his sibling's new romance, and uglier still when Carl's chopper goes down on the trip home. Anderson: Terence Knox. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Ruiz: Ramon Franco.

Nowhere to Run

Thu, Dec 17, 1987 60 mins

Goldman and Anderson try to help Percell, who's in a fragile state of mind after shooting a child. Lt. Nikki Raines: Pamela Gidley. Hazzard: Ed Monaghan. Sgt. Clyde Edmunds: Clyde R. Jones. Ercolani: Tony Colitti.

Thu, Jan 7, 1988 60 mins

A letter from home produces battlefield skittishness in Anderson just as the squad sets out on a dangerous rescue operation. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Slaney: William Allen Young. Chaplain: Phil Adams. Caldwell: Ched Parrott.

Pushin' Too Hard

Thu, Jan 14, 1988 60 mins

Anderson and Goldman fear that the beautiful TV reporter accompanying the troops may affect their concentration, as well as that of Captain Wallace (Kevin Conroy), who's also along. Anderson: Terence Knox. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Cameraman: Khoi Tran.

Thu, Jan 21, 1988 60 mins

Near the end of a mission, the platoon finds survivors of a downed USO chopper, but no sign of life at the platoon's rendezvous point. Anderson: Terence Knox. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Long John Vivian: Pat O'Bryan. Colby: Cynthia Bain.

Under Siege

Thu, Feb 11, 1988 60 mins

The company's new commander introduces an incentive program to promote his preferred aggressive offense---and his own personal advancement, no matter the human cost. Anderson: Terence Knox. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey.

Thu, Feb 18, 1988 60 mins

The squad is in heavy contact with a group of enemy soldiers, and after taking several casualties manage to be retrieved by two helicopters. Danny hears that his father is hospitalized after a near-fatal heart-attack and is given emergency medical leave. Danny finds that his father and mother have separated and his father has taken up with a younger woman who is loyal to him. Danny feels left out and alienated from a man who he already wasn't close to.

A Gray-Brown Odyssey

Thu, Feb 25, 1988 60 mins

A sightless Goldman guards a Viet Cong prisoner (Rosalind Chao) while Horn goes for help after they fall victim to a VC booby trap. Calhoun: Bryan O'Dell. Pointer: Ron Genta.

Blood Brothers

Sat, Mar 12, 1988 60 mins

A new soldier's behavior catches the attention of Ruiz (Ramon Franco); Goldman's estranged father (Jon Cypher), a retired major general, arrives on a fact-finding tour. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Alvaro: Leo Garcia. Exley: Les Lannom. Dalby: Bruce Gray.

The Short Timer

Sat, Mar 19, 1988 60 mins

Bravo company is on another S mission. A new man is on point, and he stops the patrol when he sees some blood, which he follows to a Vietnam booby trap. He's killed. Taylor takes over point, even though he is a short timer. Later, he manages to survive an encounter with an NVA machine gun nest after he destroys it. Taylor must address his mixed emotions about his near return to home. His fear and distaste for Vietnam is equaled only by the darkness of the life waiting for him at home.

Paradise Lost

Sat, Mar 26, 1988 60 mins

A man thought to be a U.S. deserter opposes the brass's desire to improve a village with tools for farming---and tools for killing. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey. Tung: Keone Young.

Angel of Mercy

Sat, Apr 9, 1988 60 mins

Goldman is physically wounded in the field, and mentally wounded when reunited with nurse Nikki Raines (Pamela Gidley). Trang: James Hong. Ba Tho: Clyde Kusatsu. Anderson: Terence Knox. Goldman: Stephen Caffrey.

Sat, Apr 30, 1988 60 mins

Orders aren't reason enough for Horn, the most outspoken of those questioning the decision to capture Hill 1000---again ... and again. Stephen Caffrey, Terence Knox. Raines: Pamela Gidley. Biggs: Rob Garrison. Boyle: Michael Ebner.

Tour of Duty - Season 1 (1987)

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21 Episodes

S1 e1 - pilot, s1 e2 - notes from the underground, s1 e3 - dislocations, s1 e4 - war lover, s1 e5 - sitting ducks, s1 e6 - burn, baby, burn, s1 e7 - brothers, fathers and sons, s1 e8 - the good, the bad and the dead, s1 e9 - battling baker brothers, s1 e10 - nowhere to run, s1 e11 - roadrunner, s1 e12 - pushin' too hard, s1 e13 - uso down, s1 e14 - under siege, s1 e15 - soldiers, s1 e16 - gray-brown odyssey, s1 e17 - blood brothers, s1 e18 - the short timer, s1 e19 - paradise lost, s1 e20 - angel of mercy, streaming, rent, or buy tour of duty – season 1:.

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The first TV series about the Vietnam War, Tour of Duty focuses on a single platoon of young U.S. soldiers during their one-year tour of combat duty in Vietnam during the late 1960s. Terence Knox, Stephen Caffrey, Joshua Maurer, Steve Akahoshi, Tony Becker, Eric Bruskotter, Stan Foster, Ramon Franco, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. and Kevin Conroy star as the infantrymen who represent diverse racial, cultural and philosophical backgrounds that must ultimately depend on one another to face enemy troops and survive in the hostile Southeast Asian terrain. Full of thrilling combat action, Tour of Duty also goes deeper to portray the dramatic human side of war and the camaraderie of the men who gave their all for their country.

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Episode list

Tour of duty.

S3.E1 ∙ The Luck

S3.E2 ∙ Doc Hock

S3.e3 ∙ the ties that bind, s3.e4 ∙ lonely at the top, s3.e5 ∙ a bodyguard of lies, s3.e6 ∙ a necessary end, s3.e7 ∙ cloud nine, s3.e8 ∙ thanks for the memories, s3.e9 ∙ i am what i am, s3.e10 ∙ world in changes, s3.e11 ∙ green christmas, s3.e12 ∙ odd man out, s3.e13 ∙ make death proud, s3.e14 ∙ dead man tales, s3.e15 ∙ road to long binh, s3.e16 ∙ acceptable losses, s3.e17 ∙ vietnam rag, s3.e18 ∙ war is a contact sport, s3.e19 ∙ three cheers for the orange, white and blue, s3.e20 ∙ the raid, s3.e21 ∙ payback, contribute to this page.

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