User Reviews

When the new replacement, Pvt. Jim Culley, arrives to join Lt. Hanley´s squad, the fellow soldiers welcome him. However Culley is bitter and prefers to stay alone in the corner. Soon Littlejohn discovers that Culley is a redneck farmer that had a tough life and unfit to the military service.

"The Outsider" is another great episode of "Combat!" with the perfect character development of Pvt. Culley along the show. The performances are excellent, as usual, highlighting Dick Peabody, Jack Hogan and Jason Evers in the role of a man with difficult life. The conclusion is very sad. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Estranho" ("The Ousider")

"The Outsider" is a story about why drafting everyone who passes a physical is probably not a good idea, even in time of war.

Years of living below the poverty level and working ungodly hours just to survive have made Private Jim Culley (excellently played by Jason Evers) very bitter and antisocial. Jim just does not fit in the Army much the same way middleweight champ Rocky Graziano did not fit in the classic movie "Somebody Up There Likes Me." Just as Graziano spent one half of his life institutionalized up to the time he was drafted, Private Culley was sentenced to hard labor on a farm most of his. We don't know for certain; but given what Culley was up against, he probably didn't have much opportunity with school either. Life can be very frightening and frustrating for people like Culley.

Shirl Hendryx wrote a fine screenplay; excellent conflict is generated between Pvt. Culley and the squad. Dick Peabody did a fine job as Littlejohn; his good nature & optimism are contagious. Jack Hogan is vintage Kirby and I'd have liked to have seen one round between he & Culley. Given Culley's background, I'd bet ten to one on Culley. And William Bryant had a memorable "foot in mouth" moment as McCall.

There's a good amount of combat throughout the episode. I liked the great rooftop stunt work during the firefight. I'm critical of Culley using his rifle after it was hit in the breach area; no way. Also, the M-1 only held 8 shots and McCall shot the German 10 times in succession. There is however a good amount of combat throughout the episode.

I found "The Outsider" entertaining yet sad at the same time. I give it 9 stars of 10.

This is my first review of an episode of COMBAT! I've been a fan since watching the very first episode with my dad and little brother when I was twelve. By Season 5, I had grown tired of the same scenery week to week, and the wholesale slaughter of hapless Germans. Too, hormones were beginning to rage. I am writing my own war memoir now as Wim Grundy over at Wordpress, and am revisiting the show to watch episodes of Season 5 never before seen. Once I turned OFF the color in my TV's settings it was a better show - more reminiscent of the earlier broadcasts. As a combat infantry veteran of the Vietnam War, I basically skipped the slaughter for the most part by (1) turning off the sound and (2) adverting my eyes. What was left, with generated subtitles, watched on YouTube, was a strong story that I could identify with. I too was an outsider in the two combat units I ended up in, as it was late (1971) in the war and Nixon was sending the troops home. Our episode's protagonist was welcomed by the Squad; I never really got to know the men I served with and was not made to feel welcome. This episode is good therapy for me. I look forward to watching it again as I deal with PTSD.

A fairly interesting episode of Combat. As always the action scenes are great and the plot is reasonably intriguing. I found the main character, the hick from West Virginia, a bit unengaging though.

Jason Evers guest stars in the title role, a replacement who doesn't get along with anybody. His story unfolds in flashback, with the unusual format for the series having Kirby as a central character, in this case the link to Evers' role. Vic is off this week, with Rick leading the squad.

In a skirmish with the Germans, Kirby witnesses cowardice on the part of Evers, who doesn't follow his plea to help another soldier who is pinned down. Littlejohn tries to befriend him, both having farming backgrounds, but Evers remains unfriendly and a pain in the neck constantly.

Meanwhile, the squad is ensconced in a village and searching out any possible German activity nearby. Again, Evers' attitude causes trouble, getting kind-hearted Littlejohn into danger, after which Evers takes foolhardy chances to make up for it.

Kirby visits the wounded Evers, a sentimental finish. Way beyond bittersweet.