Ep 23. Call of the Wild

In the Wings Season 5 Episode 23 titled "Call of the Wild," the Hackett brothers, Joe and Brian, are planning to go on a hunting trip in the wilderness of Montana. Brian is excited about the trip, but Joe is not particularly enthusiastic about it. Brian insists that this is exactly what they need to do to get away from the stresses of their lives and reconnect with nature.

As they embark on their journey, they encounter a number of challenges. The first hurdle is to get their guide, a grizzled old outdoorsman named Hank, to warm up to them. Hank is initially wary of the inexperienced city-slickers, but eventually begins to open up and share his knowledge of the wilderness.

Their second hurdle is finding a good spot to set up camp. Their first attempt results in a comical mishap involving a leaky tent and a hungry bear. But they eventually find a suitable spot and begin to settle in.

As they immerse themselves in the wild, Joe begins to have reservations about the trip. He is uneasy about the idea of taking a life, and expresses his concerns to Brian. Brian dismisses his brother's worries, insisting that hunting is a natural and necessary part of life.

Despite Joe's misgivings, they continue on with the hunt. However, things take an unexpected turn when they find themselves face to face with a majestic elk. Brian raises his gun to take the shot, but Joe pleads with him to spare the animal. The brothers engage in a heated argument, with Brian accusing Joe of being weak and not understanding the ways of the wild.

Their disagreement comes to a head when Hank intervenes, offering them a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and nature. He tells them a story about a pack of wolves that he had once encountered, and how they taught him a lesson about the cycle of life and death.

As the night wears on, the Hackett brothers reflect on their experiences in the wilderness. Joe comes to a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, and realizes that he doesn't need to hunt to feel connected to it. Brian also undergoes a transformation, acknowledging the complexity of the relationship between humans and the environment.

The episode ends with the brothers packing up their gear and preparing to leave the wilderness. They exchange a long look, both understanding that they have come out of this experience changed in some way. As they make their way back to civilization, they are different men than they were when they first set out on their adventure.