According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.81 million household viewers and gained a 0.7 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Sledge starts showing more disdain towards the Japanese, executing them despite being told not to do it, and failing to lead new replacement Marines fresh out of boot camp.
It's one of the great themes of war fiction that soldiers who are out in the muck too long eventually end up nearly losing their souls, and tonight, The Pacific finally got around to dramatizing that sort of story with Sledge and Snafu as our guides.
"[5] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "The episode's time on Okinawa ends not long after Eugene has his moment of clarity, so it's entirely possible he would have gone back to his amoral bloodlust.
"[6] Tim Basham of Paste wrote, "I originally had my doubts about Joseph Mazello as Sledge at the beginning of the series.
But now I love the guy — he and his commanding officer butt heads in this episode, contrasting his relationship with the late Capt.
"[7] Paul MacInnes of The Guardian wrote, "Episode nine addresses directly an issue that has been hinted at throughout the series and in interviews – that there was a great depth of hatred for the Japanese among American soldiers and that it resulted in brutality on the battlefield.
"[8] Den of Geek wrote, "Never afraid to show the brutality of war, The Pacific really went into overdrive this time, with an episode that was equally horrific, gripping and downright affecting.