GamesRadar+ Verdict
GamesRadar+ Verdict
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.
Spoilers forMasters of the Airepisode 9 follow.
Masters of the Air has come to an end.I said last weekthat the pacing in the latter half of the series has been off, which leaves episode 9 with a lot to pack in – and results in a supersized, almost feature-length installment. It works, fortunately, because each of the storylines given prominence in this episode is compelling, intense, and dramatic enough to be worthy of a finale, even if it does leave the series as a whole feeling unbalanced.
But after Masters of the Air began to lose its way around the midpoint, the final episode is a return to the show at its best – and it all comes together to form a strong ending for the Apple TV Plus series.
Rosenthal’s journey
(Image credit: Apple)
The show opens with a thrilling aerial sequence starring Rosenthal, who once again demonstrates his steady nerves and unflinching leadership. It’s tense as the plane starts to go down while he desperately tries to navigate it across to safer, Russian territory – and it’s touch and go whether he’ll even make it out.
This opening scene is the show at its best. Nate Mann has done a stellar job bringing Rosenthal from newcomer to leading man, turning him into one of the show’s most essential components – and the series is consistently superb with its scenes above the clouds. It’s a shame that they dropped off so steeply after the show’s midpoint, but it’s gratifying to see Rosenthal shine as a key character in the finale.
Liberation and reunion
(Image credit: Apple)
The show’s main figures, though, remain Egan and Cleven. The finale makes it clear that their bond is and always has been the heart of the show.
Before that, though, there’s a rousing, action-packed sequence as the new camp Egan is transferred to is liberated. Seeing the men fight back after so long is stirring, and while Egan hoisting the stars and stripes above the camp might be a little on the nose, it’s gladdening to see all the captured men – of many Allied nations – finally getting their freedom. It’s slightly disappointing that the Tuskegee Airmen are largely in the background, though, after their introduction last week positioned them as major players.
Reflections
(Image credit: Apple)
In my review of episodes 1 and 2, I said Masters of the Air could be worthy to stand alongside Band of Brothers. Now that the credits have rolled on the finale, it’s fair to say that, while the new show is a fine companion, it hasn’t surpassed – or even equaled – the excellence of the original show.
That’s partly to be expected, of course, considering the quality of Band of Brothers. But after Masters of the Air’s incredibly strong start, delivering a run of outstanding episodes, it is disappointing that it dragged its feet so much in the runup to the finale. It could’ve been a much stronger show without the muddled pacing.
Part of the problem was a lack of action towards the end – which didn’t have to be a bad thing, as my favorite episode remainsthe fourth, which saw no aerial combat at all – and the fact that the Bloody Hundredth never really felt like a cohesive whole. Instead, we had our handful of main characters to follow, and that was that.
Still, though, the show ends on a high, bringing Masters of the Air to a satisfying conclusion. If there are further war stories to be explored in a fresh companion series from executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, I’d tune in. For now, though, Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Masters of the Air form one solid trilogy.
All episodes of Masters of the Air are now streaming on Apple TV Plus. For more, check out our guide to theMasters of the Air true story, or fill out your watchlist with our rundown of thebest Apple TV Plus shows.
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Masters of the Air true story: here’s what happened to the 100th Bomb Group after the showMasters of the Air episode 8 review: “Still shaky in parts, but an appreciated return to form”
Masters of the Air true story: here’s what happened to the 100th Bomb Group after the show
Masters of the Air true story: here’s what happened to the 100th Bomb Group after the show
Masters of the Air episode 8 review: “Still shaky in parts, but an appreciated return to form”
Masters of the Air episode 8 review: “Still shaky in parts, but an appreciated return to form”
Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest►
Latest
26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time”
26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time”
26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time”
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Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up”
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”