Generation Kill | Season 1 | Episode 2

The Cradle of Civilization

TV-MA | 1 HR 8 MIN

Written by Ed Burns, Evan Wright
Directed by Susanna White

Along with the rest of the First Marine Division, Bravo busts north towards Nasiriyah, where their sister company Alpha gets its first taste of combat in a skirmish with Iraqi forces at a bridge outside the city. Prompted by an anxious Major General Mattis, Ferrando orders Bravo to cross the Euphrates the next night, but they end up entering Nasiriyah by day, driving through the city with minimal gunfire, save for an AK-47 assault by Platoon 3 leader "Captain America" McGraw on an empty car. Heading north to Mesopotamia -the "Cradle of Civilization"- "Bravo continues to lag behind other companies, partly because of a wrong turn ordered by its commander, Cpt. "Encino Man" Schwetje, who blames it on Colbert. Chomping at the bit while others are carrying the fight, the platoon finally gets "lit up" in a violent but successful skirmish in Al Gharraf, during which Trombley scores his first kill. Elated and relatively unscathed, the platoon celebrates its triumph, despite Sgt. Maj. Sixta's refrain to "maintain the grooming standard" and shave off all mustaches. Reflecting on the day's successes, Ferrando admits his biggest fear isn't fighting the Iraqis, but doing something his general won't like. For one night, he'll have no such fear.

1.Get Some

In the northern desert of Kuwait, First Recon Marines prepare to invade Iraq as the "tip of the spear" for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2.The Cradle of Civilization

Under orders to consider any Iraqi carrying a weapon hostile, Bravo busts north towards Nasiriyah.

3.Screwby

Having survived its first trial by fire, Bravo is ordered to capture an airstrip controlled by Iraq's Republican Guard.

4.Combat Jack

Having raced to capture the airfield, First Recon is miles ahead of the rest of the US forces and has time to regroup.

5.A Burning Dog

As they scope a tiny hamlet, the men of Bravo are frustrated by the capricious nature of the war.

6.Stay Frosty

Outside of Al Kut, Captain America is overeager in his attempts to subdue a prisoner, leaving the men more disillusioned.

7.Bomb in the Garden

Bravo reaches Baghdad, where the men set up shop in an abandoned cigarette factory, although the grounds aren't quite as secure as they'd like.