The final episode of Boots begins with McKinnon announcing the crucible test that everyone will perform. It’s a 54-hour test of everything they were taught. The test begins, and we see all the crazy chaos that ensues, with Jones lagging behind. We then see June paying a visit to Barbara, to talk about the Marine Moms, and Cameron.
Back at boot camp, John and Cody make their return, and learn about the passing of their father. Jones gets Cam to sit for 5 minutes to eat, and they have a talk about the situation with Sullivan. Fajardo then arrives at the base to have a word with Sullivan about the bar fight in the woods, which happens to be right where Cam and Jones are sitting.
Fajardo tells Sullivan the family is pressing charges against him, and that he will be discharged after he finishes this mission. The next morning, Jones is missing from the camp, Sullivan requests to look for him, and Cam follows Sullivan into the woods. Sullivan confronts Ray and Cam about following him, Cam disobeys Sullivan and goes to follow him anyway. Cody tries to attack John, before Cam and Sullivan have a word with each other on their journey. Cam and Sullivan rescue Jones, and Cam brings out Jones while Sullivan disappears.
At the graduation ceremony, Cam reflects on his time at boot camp, and we learn what exactly happened with Sullivan and Cam. Ray runs into the female recruit after, and Cameron is brought to a room to see his mother, and to reveal that Cam is actually 17, not 18. This would mean that without a valid signature from his mother, his enlistment is invalid. Cam has one last talk with his conscience about the situation, and Cam asks his mother to sign the waiver if she’s truly sorry. After she signs the waiver, the recruits have a little party to celebrate becoming Marines, and news about Iraq invading Kuwait suddenly plays on the TV.
Overall, the show as a whole was pretty good. Was it this triumphant classic of the times? No, but it was a decent watch, and had some good moments in it. The final tribute to Norman Lear at the end was a nice touch, and the ending leaves a possible second season to be made. Will that ever happen? Probably not, but it’s a thought.
Rating 7.5/10