Pimp of the Day: Generation Kill

[hackthis_archive]

So, the other day I had this poll where I asked if you lot would rather see Bruce/Harvey Dark Knight porn or Nate/Brad Generation Kill porn. I knew beforehand what the majority were probably going to say, but I was shocked, shocked that more of you aren't on the Generation Kill train. And I thought to myself, "Self, what we really need here is an example of The Pretty to get the fanpeople in line, because there are boys, sweaty, foul-mouthed boys living together in the desert and nobody seems to care! And it's written by David Simon!"

So, for the unitiated let me break it down. Generation Kill is a seven-part HBO miniseries about a Marine Recon division in Iraq at the beginning of the invasion, based on a book by Evan Wright. Real reople, real shit, maybe marginally tweaked for TV. See. That's the basics.

This is Generation Kill This is Evan Wright. He is a reporter for Rolling Stone, who is embedded with the Bravo Company of the Marine Corps' First Reconnaissance Battalion. He looks a lot like Beecher from Oz. Why? Because that is him! Fandom X-over #1. Anyroad. Beecher, err, Wright joins up with the boys at Camp Mathilda in Kuwait where they've been hanging out, having sex, shooting the shit. Like you do.

These are the boys. Say HI! Boys.

HI, Boys!

HI! Now, you see men in uniform. Kink #1. And men with guns. Kink #2. (I know you people). Men in uniform + guns = total hotass. Really. Also, you know, First Recon are really hot. Seriously. I cannot begin to explain in full detail exactly how smokingly, sickeningly, call your mom 'cause you are in twu wuv gorgeous this cast is. Whomever cast this (that wasn't me) has stellar taste. Now, what does First Recon do, you ask? First Recon Marines are like the NAVY Seals of the Marines. They can hold their breath for four minutes and are required to be able to run 12 miles with 150 lbs on their backs. Think about that. Now, pick your jaw up from the floor. Normally the men are trained to do recon by parachuting or swimming (trufax!) but today, they are in Iraq! Driving slow ass Humvees! They are not thrilled about this. And you will hear a lot of utter shitlessness that will make you crazy. The guys say the Army comes prepared, the Marines make do. Yes, this is what happens when you don't have enough batteries for everyone's night-goggles and you try to order a turret for your gunner from the Interwebs (Brad). More trufax!

This is Sgt. Brad Colbert. No relation to Stephen Colbert except they are both likely to make you wet yourself with the hotass awesome. Brad is called 'Iceman' by his boys, but in the book you find out he's sort of a loner, dare-devil. In the show he's just a hotass, take-no-nonsense and shove it up your ass Sgt in Bravo company in charge of the Lead Vehicle. His guys love him. Not because he's nice, but because he gets shit done. Did I mention he's way hot?

This is Ray. Ray is Brad's driver in the Bravo company lead vehicle. Ray likes Elvis sunglasses, Avril Lavinge (sp) sing-a-longs and Skittles. Ray does not like Charms. Charms are baaaaaaaaaad luck to Marines. Do not give Marines Charms, you will probably be shot. Ray, however, does like Brad. He likes Brad so much that in episode 4 he was jerking off five feet away from where Brad was sleeping. Yes, you get to see this too. Ray might have a thing for Brad. You could write about it.

This is Brad with Sgt Rudy Reyes and Trombly Pappy. Everyone in the HBO adaptation is an actor except for Rudy and Eric Kocher. Rudy and Eric are actually a Marines. Rudy is prossibly the hottest Marine you have ever seen in your life. The guys spend 5 minutes in episode 1 of the series talking about how gay Rudy makes everyone else. Possibly because he likes to walk around naked. And yes, you get to see this. I know. David Simon loves you too. I would talk about Trombly, but I might stroke out and not in the good way.

This is Lieutenant Nathaniel Fick. Or, as I like to refer to him, Brad's Baby Daddy. Okay, this has not yet happened, but in episode 3 there were declarations of kissing and homosexuality in front of three witnesses with regards to a can of gun lube. You will never convince me that's not love. Nate is also Brad's commanding officer, but they are BFF anyway. Nate is very big on doing his job right and his boys love him, unfortunately, Nate's XO is a fucktard named Encino Man. He's really just neanderthal dumb. It's hard to do good work when the person in charge is a jackhole. You will see lots of this sort of frustration in the series

This is Godfather. He's in charge of this whole mess, err, battalion. He's kind of a gloryhound, which makes life difficult for, oh, everyone. He also used to have throat cancer, even though he was never a smoker, hence his call sign, because he sounds like Brando. Godfather also likes to talk about himself in third person, this will confuse the shit out of you. Trufax.

This is Brad and Nate together. Aren't they adorable in their uniforms? They like to exchange meaningful glances, and when they fight it's bad for everybody. They need you to love them and write them slash and porn. Really. They're like Gremlins that way

This is Sgt. Eric Kocher, AKA Stephen from Kitchen Confidential. Fandom X-over #2! He is bad ass. Really. There's this whole mustache contest in the beginning and then he kicks Captain America's ass (pet names, you will LOVE them). You just have to see it for yourself. The real Eric Kocher is also in this series, but he does not play himself. Yeah, I dunno, that might've weird for him. Understandably.

This is Doc. He is very good about telling people when they're being fucktards. His job is made even more difficult by the fact that Godfather seems to have decided the Geneva convention doesn't actually exist. Wait until you see them turn back the refugees and the thing with the camels.

This is Brad naked. The majority of Generation Kill has been directed by a British woman, the one episode directed by a guy gives us Brad shirtless for like 10 whole minutes. I think we need to talk to someone about this.

Oh wait, that photo's not supposed to be in there. Unless you want to embed Tony Stark with a bunch of Marines.

Oh, there's naked Brad again. He's very pretty.

And yes, okay more naked Brad. I am biased, but I assure you that if they had Nate naked at all, this post would be full of him instead.

Yes, okay, you can really make a case for Ray/Brad unrequited based on this this cap. Brad's hot, what can you do?

I wanted to end with Nate though, because well, he's sort of indicative of the entire series: trying to make the best of a bad situation anyway you can. And hey, at least Nate gets to go home to Brad.

Now, I know I said that the point of this was to show you the pretty, and it is, was, is. Anyway, that's not the only selling point of Generation Kill, even though it's a big one. Generation Kill is about the US invasion of Iraq and all the things that they don't show you on CNN. It's about the people who spend their lives trying to do their jobs, even if they don't necessarily agree with those jobs or want to be there. It's about all the mistakes and all the foul-langauge and all the shit that nobody wants to talk about like roadblocks and shooting children and air strikes on the wrong location or supply trucks getting left behind because people don't want to wait to change a fucking TIRE!

It's not an easy show to watch, really and truly. It's misogynist, racist, completely Un-PC in every way imaginable and a few you've never even thought of. It's also the most real thing you'll see this year. They've only aired the first four episodes and I've only understood 65% (if that) of what's being said, because it's just that true to the subjects (might I suggest the glossary you can find here to help? ). Regardless of anything else, I think that if you invest the time, you'll be rewarded.


The Means

Watch Generation Kill on HBO. New episodes air on Sundays. The first four are now available On Demand or from your local providers as it were.

Buy Generation Kill by Evan Wright here.

Buy One Bullet Away by Nate Fick.

Read the series of articles Evan wrote for Rolling Stone (the basis for the book) from the front.

Read Maureen Ryan's Generation Kill Crib Sheet for When You Have No Fucking Clue What's Going On


Thus ends my pimp for the day. [/pimp]

ETA: Read suaine's Cats & Dogs for a absolutely flawless exploration of Brad and Nate from Beecher, err, Evan's POV.


ETA 09/26/08: Also, please note that this pimp post was made between episodes 1.04 and 1.05, so it's missing some stuff. I am aware of this.


This is for antheia.

Huge thanks to the_grynne for caps, to generation_kill for existing and to la_tante, alethialia and silviakundera for various excitement.

Comments

[storydivagirl.livejournal.com]

I love Generation Kill. I find myself horrified at some things, but mostly, I love the boys in this. And my friend tells me that he does spend a lot of time sitting and singing when he's in Iraq. Hee.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

The first two weeks I sat there routinely alternating between horror and rapt fascination.

[mikhale.livejournal.com]

Clearly, your argument, complete with graphical representation, has won me over.

Mostly, it was the naked Brad.

*hunts for Generation: Kill*

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Brad'll do that to you.

[theyreforrachel.livejournal.com]

Wow.




This show really is that gay, innit? Ahaha.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I may have cut and pasted for timeliness, but those are all trufax!

[shezan.livejournal.com]

WANT!!!!!! WANTWANTWANT.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I know.

[incorporeal-x.livejournal.com]

I think the reason why it seems like a lot of people aren't watching it is because a lot of people don't have HBO. I know at least two or three people who would definitely watch this when it airs if they had it.

Anyway, you forgot to mention that all these boys are pretty much always dirty. And you know, some people are into that.

[crazyluvolee.livejournal.com]

a lot of people don't have HBO
I agree! I fangirl over this all the time and my friends are definitely interested but the only thing stopping them from watching is lack of HBO. :(

[crazyluvolee.livejournal.com]

This made me smile and giggle. :D I love the pics of half-naked!Brad, too!

Capt. Patterson's driver in Alpha company is also an actual Marine! Like fruity Rudy, he was part of the First Recon Battalion that invaded Iraq - Eric Kocher (but the Eric Kocher in the show is played by someone else). :) I have a crush on his eyes... and by small, I mean big.

[theyreforrachel.livejournal.com]

Eric Kocher (but the Eric Kocher in the show is played by someone else)

LOL.

[alethialia.livejournal.com]

"Self, what we really need here is an example of The Pretty to get the fanpeople in line, because there are boys, sweaty, foul-mouthed boys living together in the desert and nobody seems to care! And it's written by David Simon!"

Um, you're kind of my new favorite person.

And also, they cast Beecher. Beecher! Anyone who casts Beecher and doesn't mean to imply that massive sexin' goes on in between scenes, well, that person is a moron.

This is Lieutenant Nathan Fick. Or as I like to refer to him Brad's Baby Daddy. Okay, this has not yet happened, but in episode 2 there were declarations of love and homosexuality in front of three witnesses with regards to a can of gun lube. You will never convince me that's not love. Nate is also Brad's commanding officer, but they are BFF anyway.

And they have loads of mad sexin' in the desert at night. Which everyone should write about.

It's hard to do good work when the person in charge is a jackhole.

And thus we get the angst and conflicted looks! And it makes Nate and Brad fight, which makes Baby Jesus cry. But should also inspire massive amounts of make-up sex fic, ya know, if the world were at all fair.

This is Brad and Nathan together. Aren't they adorable in their uniforms? They like to exchange meaningful glances, and when they fight it's bad for everybody. They need you to love them and write them slash and porn. Really. They're like Gremlins that way

Yes and YES! Porn-writing should commence immediately. We're saving lives, people.

This is Doc. You won't see him until episode #3

Wait, but wasn't he the one talking with Espera in that first scene when they were in Kuwait? Where Espera first says it's the white man's destiny to rule the world? That was Doc looking out at all the debris from the last war...or so I thought? Regardless, he's a badass who will tell you how incompetent you are and fuck you up and he's not even a Marine but it doesn't matter because he will fuck you up.

This is the best post ever. I must alert everyone to this fact. ::loves::

[the-grynne.livejournal.com]

Doc's first lines in the show: "Can you believe this shit?" (indicating the desert of Afghanistan, dotted with wreckage from the first Gulf War). I'm kind of obsessed with him. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_lisalisa_/]

Awesome pimp, yo.

We don't see doc until ep 3? I could have sworn he was in ep 1. Anyway, I don't think I told you I met Rudy, at comic con this year. He was SO sweet. We got a pic with him too. I can send you the link if you want to see the pic. ;-)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Rudy! Rudy is love! I will have to go back and re-watch ep 1, b/c it didn't make any sense at the time, but now that I haz context, it's all better.

[sparky77.livejournal.com]

No!!!!!!!!! I am trying not to add anything else to my massive list of things to watch especiallythings that I know will make me sad, so I've pretty much been avoiding any mention of Generation Kill because I knew I would get sucked in. You are evil because they are all very, very pretty and it sounds amazing and now I really want to watch.

[suaine.livejournal.com]

DUDE! Watch it! I'm not even kidding, get it any way you can and take a day or something, it is *that* awesome. And also I want you to write Brad/Nate porn -_-

[dine.livejournal.com]

as stated above, a lot of people don't have HBO

yes, exactly! this show is totally up my alley, and I'm looking forward to buying the DVDs when available, but HBO just isn't in my budget (my cable bill is already too high)

re: your Generation Kill pimp post

[julietlaw.livejournal.com]

You did a good job, pimp!

Although, as far as I was concerned, I was sold with the first cap when I started screaming: "OMG! there's a new show with Lee Tergesen as a lead and no one told me!!!" Except for the fact that you just did. I will watch anything with Lee in it. Actually I'll watch anything with any Oz alumni in it.

OTOH, please stop pimping David Simon because I will not, I repeat, will not get into The Wire.

So good job and I'm starting to catch up right now.

PS: maybe he's not a cast incentive for you or hasn't show up yet but you could mention Fandom X-over #3 with Billy Lush from The Black Donnellys. ;)

Re: your Generation Kill pimp post

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I will never stop pimping David Simon. The Wire was the best thing that ever occured on TV. I may be biased about this, but hey. I never got into the Black Donnelly's but there you go, they're from everywhere!

[la-tante.livejournal.com]

fab picspam milady. i think i need an icon of naked!brad. and i think he will be that from now on. oh naked!brad we love it when you drop the knowledge......

i'm an episode behind which is sweet because then it seems like there's more to watch....fuzzy logic makes everything seems better, doesn't it?

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

The only thing better than Brad schooling Twombly is Naked!Brad schooling Twombly. Or anyone. Preferably Nathan. What? I am totally admittedly biased!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is such a great post!!! This show is good and everyone much watch it. :D

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Absolutely!

[thisisbone.livejournal.com]

Damn it! Why isn't this available on iTunes???? WHY?????

I can't wait to see it. I'm collecting things like Mo Ryan's primer from the Chicago Tribune, and your post here. Can't WAIT!!!

PS. Okay, I couldn't wait. What? I have impulse control issues. I just read your whole post and now I REALLY REALLY can't wait to watch this: It's mashing my military kink with a goddamn sledgehammer.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

It's not available on iTunes? What nonsense is this?! And yet, I believe you have persevered. Like a Marine. As you should. It's worth it.

[xanatosdecrion.livejournal.com]

Ahh, thanks for this *wipes mouth* deliciousness! i heard about this show on The View...I think Elizabeth cried about a sign posted for it somewhere. LOL But yes, sexy-times, sexy-menfolk, sexy-pics. Bless you :)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

But yes, sexy-times, sexy-menfolk, sexy-pics. Bless you :)

This really is them in a nutshell.

[elizardbits.livejournal.com]

NOOO. I don't have time for another new fandom! Even if it is filled with lovely strapping young men. Who are often nekkid. And sweaty. And heavily armed. Hmm.

CURSE YOUR EVIL WAYS.

And I would very much like to do some embedding with Tony Stark. Oh yes indeed.
(HORRIBLE PUN IS HORRIBLE.)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

You love my evil ways. I know you do. *shows off shiny pretty icon*

[untilinfinity.livejournal.com]

Dear jod you always hit the most amazing fandoms. Only you can do Brad/Nathan justice. I mean I'm sure everyone and their mom will be doing Harvey/Bruce stuff.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Is your mom doing Harvey/Bruce? Really? Link it here! I am pondering Nathan/Brad right now, but new shoes always hurt. I have to figure out what Brad's saying to me, if he'll even talk at all. Nathan's only talking to me because I want to tie him to my bed.

[m-buggie.livejournal.com]

Nice job with the pimp post! This will definitely come in handy.

And yes, the world needs more Brad/Nate fics - dirty sexy ones, if possible.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I definitely agree about the Brad/Nate fics. All dirt, all the time!

[antheia.livejournal.com]

Okay, I will obviously have to get on this train.

Wait, does this mean you and Kassie are in another fandom at the same time? Am I remembering that right?

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I was watching Stephen and got really excited and called him Nathan. I call him somebody else's name (in bed). Does that seem like a severe enough case for you? I do like those boys named Nathan though.

[accioheartache.livejournal.com]

Hey, saw you post this in generation_kill. Its awesome! I'm sending it to a bunch of my friends in the hopes that they will love this show just as much as I do. I just wanted to make a small correction to your otherwise perfect post. In the screencap you choose to talk about Rudy, thats Pappy with Brad and Rudy, not Trombly.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Ah, thank you for the correction, that makes me feel much better too, b/c I *like* Pappy.

[iyalode.livejournal.com]

They had me at Beecher. Seriously. Ever since Oz, mansex & Beecher are hardwired together in my brain. Such a glorious post. And I'm linking to this like whoa.

Also, why is Rudy not on a marine recruitment poster? This is huge error that needs to be rectified immediately. A really LARGE poster.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Also, why is Rudy not on a marine recruitment poster? This is huge error that needs to be rectified immediately. A really LARGE poster.

Duuuuuuuuude.

[naanima.livejournal.com]

OK. I'm sold.

There will be torrenting come Monday.

OK, so.

[naanima.livejournal.com]

I have ordered the book via Amazon, have read articles and interview clips about the show, and researched the people the actors are portraying.

The real Brad Colbert is damn hot.

Re: OK, so.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

The real Brad Colbert is damn hot.

Really? I've not seen him, but if Alex is anything to go by, he must be stupidly hot. Also, I really think you will like it. Yes.

[stormcloude]

FYI, Captain Patterson's driver is the real Eric Kocher, and the real Carisalez (Dirty Earl) is in there somewhere too.

[silviakundera.livejournal.com]

Ray, however, does like Brad. He likes Brad so much that in episode 4 he was jerking off five feet away from where Brad was sleeping. Yes, you get to see this too. Ray might have a thing for Brad.

Oooh yes. Support the Ray/Brad love!

I am such a dork, I bookmarked amusing Ray&Brad things while reading the book.

"..as the heat and fatigue delilirium sets in, the undertaking sometimes feels like a family road trip. Colbert is the stern father figure. Person is like the mom, the communicator, trying to anticipate his needs, keeping spirits up with h is cheerful banter. Garza and Tombley are the children, happily munching candy, eager to please their dad."
--

"Luckily, Person is something of a genius when it comes to radios. The reason he's on Colbert's team is that despite his constant mockery of everything, Colbert considers him one of the most competent Marines in the platoon."
--

"At times, the two of them bicker like an old married couple. Being a rank lower than Colbert, Person can never directly express anger to him, but on occasions when Colbert is too harsh and Person's feelings are hurt, his driving becomes erratic. There are sudden turns, and the brakes are hit for no reason. It will happen even in combat situations, with Colbert suddenly in the role of wooing his driver back with retractions and apologies."
--

"As they roll past the hand-holding teens, Colbert and Person wave at them and start singing the South Park version of "Loving You", with the lyrics, "Loving you is easy 'cause you're bare-chested".
--

Colbert's team settles into the Humvee and Person begins punching the dashboard and cursing. Someone higher up in the company changed radio frequencies without telling him, and now he can't use them. It's the first time I've ever seen him lose control in earnest.

Colbert calms him. "It's okay. We'll fix it. Everyone's just nervous because we lost a lot this morning."
---

"Shush, Person. Take a deep breath," Colbert says indulgently, like a kindergarden teacher with an unruly child.

"I can't help it, "Person says, "I'm running soley on Ripped Fuel tonight."