According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 2.71 million household viewers and gained a 1.0 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
As he is pushed by Captain Andrew Haldane and 1st Lieutenant Edward "Hillbilly" Jones, Sledge bonds with Leckie, who gives him advice.
Sledge and the 5th Regiment arrive through a Landing Vehicle Tracked at the beach, where they are struggling to make their way due to the Japanese defense.
Besides the aforementioned cinematic changes, it shows the first time our marines really get in a tough skirmish with a lot of lives lost on the American side.
In other ways, it feels slightly like the series is inviting the comparison as if it's daring us to compare it to one of the most famous big screen depictions of war ever filmed.
"[5] Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote, "Eugene Sledge is on Peleliu now, looking down into the nightmare the 1st Marine Division didn't realize it was walking into.
He may not understand everything that Sid and Leckie and the rest have experienced over the past two years, but he's already starting to get a pretty clear, bleak picture.
"[6] Tim Basham of Paste wrote, "Though most every episode includes battle scenes, the filmmakers continuously change our viewpoint.
When the 1st Division invades Peleliu to take an airfield from the Japanese we can feel the anticipation as the troops are moved into the transports that will deliver them to the beaches.
"[7] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian wrote, "John Basilone, the hero of Guadalcanal, is stuck in the States, repeating the mantra "Back the attack" and enjoying vigorous sex with the movie star Virginia Grey.