Ep 1. The Day the War Stood Still

Serving as the second season premiere of McHale's Navy, "The Day the War Stood Still" commences with a radio report detailing concurring news about the discovery of a Japanese minefield around Taratupa. As the PT-73 crew sets out to clear the field, an error implies they have come under fire, leading them to go to extremes to evade Japanese vessels. Meanwhile, Commander McHale and Ensign Parker are participating in a war bond drive boxing tournament, where McHale takes on the formidable and unscrupulous fighter known as Crusher Kowalski, who happens to double as a demolition expert.

As the crew attempt to clear the minefields, they face one obstacle after another, including faulty torpedoes and an accidental mine detonation. Eventually, the PT-73 crew even go so far as to create a diversion to misdirect the Japanese while they complete their work. However, a series of misunderstandings, including a disguised Callahan being mistaken for a Japanese soldier, lead to the belief that all of Taratupa has been captured by the Japanese.

As the two separate storylines come together, McHale and his crew utilize Kowalski's demolition expertise to save the day and secure their position. In the end, Kowalski also makes amends for his past dodgy behavior.

The episode is thrilling, balancing humor and escapades with high stakes action and moments of legitimately intense drama. While the comedic antics are always on point, what makes McHale's Navy stand out as one of the quintessential wartime sitcoms is the fact that it never feels like it is trivializing the war effort or making light of the sacrifices of America's servicemen and women. Alternatively, it portrays the soldiers as heroic, brave, and devoted to their duty while still letting them reveal a more sagacious and sensitive side from time to time.

The show's humor is also worth noting. It is not polished nor sophisticated but rather always good-natured and amusingly ridiculous, making it simple to watch and letting the viewer not take it too seriously. It is reminiscent of the nostalgia-driven, innocent comedies of the time. The dynamic between the characters is a pleasure to watch; they are clearly a tight-knit group, and their rapport feels authentic and genuine.

All in all, "The Day the War Stood Still" is a fantastic example of what made McHale's Navy such a beloved classic TV show. It's an exciting and amusing adventure that stands alone in its own right while still fitting in well with the rest of the series. Moreover, it provides a great reminder of a simpler time when TV programing aimed to entertain rather than shock, and comedies could convey the importance of the country's values and ideals while, at the same time, being entertaining.