Ep 9. Bunker Hill

In Liberty's Kids season 1 episode 9, entitled "Bunker Hill," the audience is taken back to 1775, where tensions continue to rise between the British soldiers and the American colonists. The episode features a battle that took place on June 17, 1775, on the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, at a place called Breed's Hill (which was mistakenly referred to as Bunker Hill).

The episode starts with Sarah and James observing the British soldiers in the city with their friend, Henri. The British soldiers are being controlled by General Gage, who is trying to maintain the British hold on the colonies. James is determined to become a soldier and fight for the American cause, but Sarah insists that they are too young. As they watch the soldiers, they see a British officer manhandling a young boy and James rushes to intervene. In addition, they come across Dr. Joseph Warren, who is rallying the Minute Men to the cause.

Later, James and Sarah head to the tavern to meet with Ben Franklin. Franklin expresses his concern about a full-scale war breaking out between the British and American forces and what it could mean for their young nation. He also notes that Boston has become an open-air prison, with the British forces controlling the city, and the Americans anything but free.

Soon after, the Battle of Bunker Hill takes place. The colonists, with limited ammunition, decide to fortify Breed's Hill to try and hold off the British army’s advance and protect themselves to their last breath. The British army needs to breach the colonists’ defenses, and a fierce battle ensues. The episode highlights the bravery and courage of the American colonists under the leadership of William Prescott, who encourages his troops to "not fire until they see the whites of their eyes." But the British forces prove to be too strong and they ultimately win the battle.

Throughout the episode, Sarah embodies the viewer's perspective. She asks questions and challenges the realities of the war, which are not always clear. The episode successfully captures the weight of the battle, conveying the stakes of a tug of war between two forces. It also highlights that the war was not just about the Americans vs. the British, but also about ideals of freedom and independence.

Overall, the “Bunker Hill” episode of Liberty’s Kids is an action-packed depiction of an important moment in American history. By using the perspective of the children, the show manages to humanize the events of the war and showcase the bravery of those who fought for independence and freedom. It steadfastly emphasizes the ugly consequences of war, by portraying the death and destruction in the assault by British guns and cannon strategy.