Ep 4. Guns

Sea Patrol season 3 episode 4, titled "Guns," is a thrilling episode that takes viewers through the challenges faced by the crew of HMAS Hammersley during their routine patrol in the Pacific Ocean. As the ship steams towards a designated location, they receive an emergency call from a merchant vessel that is under attack by pirates equipped with powerful guns. The crew immediately springs into action, eager to save the lives of the innocent sailors on board the besieged vessel.

The episode starts with the commanding officer, Lieutenant Mike Flynn (Ian Stenlake), preparing his crew for the upcoming mission. Despite having encountered pirate attacks in the past, this particular situation poses a greater danger as the pirates are armed and well-prepared. The crew, consisting of the no-nonsense Petty Officer Charge (Kristian Schmid), the loyal and skillful Bosun's Mate, Swain (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor), the highly trained communication officer Rebecca Brown (Danielle Horvat), and the new recruit, Able Seaman Robert J. Dixon (Nikolai Nikolaeff), set sail and begin their search for the attacked vessel.

As they draw closer to the location of the merchant ship, they are ambushed by a group of pirate boats who proceed to unleash a hail of bullets on the warship. The situation quickly turns tense as the mismatched firepower of the Hammersley is no match for the pirates who relentlessly shoot at them. The crew's training comes to the forefront, and they execute a range of defensive maneuvers with impressive precision.

The episode showcases the exceptional teamwork and expertise of the crew as they navigate through the increasingly challenging situation. Lieutenant Flynn decides to use the ship's radar to detect the positions of the pirate boats, and use the element of surprise to take them down before they can deliver any further blows.

As night falls, the team carefully plans its attack, hoping to catch the pirates off guard. The ship's offensive capabilities are brought into action, and it's a nerve-wracking watch as the crew fires back, taking out the attacking vessels one-by-one. The scene is tense, with the crew’s sharp instincts and quick reflexes on display as they slip out of harm's way and reposition themselves to find the pirates.

The episode touches on several themes - teamwork, trust, and loyalty among the crew are highlighted as they work together to overcome the difficult situation that they are in. Petty Officer Charge's unwavering leadership during the attack shows the importance of leadership and keeping calm in crises. The new recruit, Able Seaman Robert Dixon, proves his worth and commitment to the rest of the crew as they come together as a cohesive unit.

The episode also delves into the ethical and moral dilemmas that are inherent in the military and in law enforcement. The issue of when to use deadly force to defend oneself against aggression is addressed effectively, particularly when the crew realizes the true identity of the pirates. The crew exhibited caution when it was needed and could have easily escalated the situation to dangerous levels by jumping headlong into it. However, their presence of mind helped control the situation and plan their moves carefully.

In conclusion, Sea Patrol season 3 episode 4 titled "Guns" is a gripping episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. It showcases the various talents of the show's regular cast and the ingenuity that they possess when faced with unpredictable situations. The excellent writing, coupled with phenomenal cinematography and sound design, makes "Guns" one of the most memorable shows of the season.