HBO War Shows Really Do Be Hittin Different

Liebgott: I have the sharpest memory! Name ONE thing I forgot.

Babe: I guess I’m just too tough to cry.

Bull: *giving Perconte a piggy back ride*

[stomach growls]

“George Luz saw it first. Compton, weaponless and helmetless, shuffling toward the rear as if mesmerized. He ran to the lieutenant. “You can’t leave us, sir,” Luz said. But Compton brushed on by as if Luz was merely a specter in the swirling mist. Luz grabbed Compton and tackled him to the ground. “You can’t leave us,” he said again. But one look into the lieutenant’s vacant eyes convinced the sergeant that his pleas had gone unheard. Compton rose to his feet and continued walking away, leaving Luz kneeling helplessly in the snow.”

“The actors started introducing themselves by their character names. They were saying, “I’m Popeye Wynn!” “I’m Ralph Spina.” One kid said, “I’m Skip Muck.” I said, “I was there when you got hit, kid.” […] It was so strange - they were naming our buddies. And they looked and acted like them. It was like being back in time. When I heard “I’m Babe Heffron”, I had to do a double take. Robin Laing had the South Philly accent. He sounded like me. Robin unbuttoned his shirt to show me he had on rosary beads and scapular, just like I did all through the war. That really affected me. There were a couple of times Bill or I had to walk away for a minute to stay composed. The kids all asked questions about their characters - what they were like, did we have any stories, they wanted to know everything. Donnie Wahlberg, who played Lipton, said, “You know, meeting you guys inspires us one hundred percent.” A fella playing Chuck Grant said, “No Lip, one hundred fifty percent.” What was strange was when Frank Hughes or the other actors would talk to Robin Laing, and he’d say, “Hey Babe”, or “Hey, Heffron.” It made me stop and look around.”

Lipton, standing in front of a board that says “Impressions”: There is only one thing worse than impressions of your commanding officers.

Luz: do you want the good news first or the bad news?