China Beach was not the first American TV series to tackle the Vietnam War in a dramatic format, but it was the first successful effort, running for four seasons and winning Emmys for Dana Delaney and Marg Helgenberger. Set at an Army surgical hospital and R&R retreat (nicknamed China Beach), the show centers on triage nurse Colleen McMurphy (Delany), but she is surrounded by a big ensemble that encompasses the surgical staff, including the sardonic Dr. Dick Richard (Robert Picardo), as well as the soldiers who rotate through, “Donut Dolly” volunteers supervised by Maj. Lila Garreau (Concetta Tomei), and K.C. (Helgenberger), the American “entrepreneur” who sets up shop as the local hooker. Among the short-timers are aspiring singer Laurette (Chloe Webb), reporter Wayloo Marie (Megan Gallagher), and enthusiastic canteen volunteer Holly (Ricki Lake); in addition, Nancy Sinatra re-creates one of her original USO performances for the debut-season finale. The memorable characters were enriched even more in the final year, which was filled with flashbacks and postwar scenes as everyone tried to come to terms with their experiences. Smartly written and directed with both heart and grit, China Beach offered a refreshingly adult approach to the material, hinting at what it couldn't show on network television. Compiling all 62 episodes originally aired from 1988–91, available exclusively from Time Life, extras include audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and interviews. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)
China Beach: The Complete Series
Time Life (avail. from <a href="http://www.timelife.com/">www.timelife.com</a>), 21 discs, 3,553 min., not rated, DVD: $199.95 September 9, 2013
China Beach: The Complete Series
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