Classic Episodes: China Beach – Tet 68

Another in our series of classic episode looks, this time it’s 1980’s Vietnam War drama China Beach.

A series set in Vietnam could hardly ignore the Tet Offensive, the turning point of the war. “Tet ’68” opens with Wayloo (Megan Gallagher), the ambitious TV personality, cheerily describing the upcoming holiday as “the Vietnamese Fourth of July, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, all rolled into one. We can sense the magic of the new year.”

Then the shooting starts. Beckett (Michael Boatman) is held hostage by his lady friend’s VC brother; McMurphy is stuck at headquarters with the strung-out K.C. (Marg Helgenberger); Dr. Dick (Robert Picardo) and Dodger (Jeff Kober) are at an Evac Hospital; and Red Cross worker Cherry (Nan Woods) is caught in a bunker. Morning finally breaks, and all have survived. But then Cherry, stepping outside the bunker, is killed by a bomb. It’s an unflinching look at the indiscriminate ruthlessness of war, one that viewers would not soon forget.

Original Airdate: January 25, 1989

Alastair James is the editor-in-chief of Memorable TV, leading the charge in covering today's must-see television. A lifelong television enthusiast, his passion began with a deep dive into the world of classic sci-fi, culminating in his role as editor of "Beyond the Static," a publication devoted to celebrating iconic sci-fi series. While his love for classic television remains, Alastair's focus at Memorable TV is firmly on the present, analyzing the latest trends in the television landscape, from gripping crime dramas to the ever-evolving strategies of Survivor. His insights have been featured in numerous publications. At Memorable TV, Alastair's goal is to provide readers with sharp commentary, engaging reviews, and in-depth analysis of the shows dominating the current conversation.