“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What?”

“You’ve been up (flying). Two missions. You didn’t tell me it was like that.”

“I didn’t know what to say…”

Austin Butler and Callum Turner portray American Air Force officers Major Gale Cleven and Major John Egan, nicknamed Buck and Bucky, leading the 100th Bomb Group in England for an offensive against Germany in the 2024 World War II series “Masters of the Air.” Created by John Orloff, and executive produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman, this historical drama excels in its world-building and is based on a book by Don Miller. Uniformed air force officers, in large numbers, embark on bomber planes to combat Nazi Germany, but little do the young men realize the harrowing realities of smoke-filled skies that will immerse them in blood, screams, fear, and regret.

Episode one of “Masters of the Air” opens with a party, far removed from the vagaries of war, with the primary protagonists enjoying themselves with pretty women before being sent off to the front. While the first few minutes make one wonder if this is going to be one of those showcases that glorify war, with pompous heroics and masochism on display, the doubt is dispelled soon enough when the story takes a somber turn.

The boisterous and loud John Egan, also known as Bucky, is the first to embark on flying missions, experiencing firsthand the terror and danger of real-life combat. The bombers they fly are called “Flying Fortresses,” each carrying 10 men, so losing a single bomber means losing 10 lives. However, once the men safely return to the ground, they quickly drown their fears in booze, music, and dancing. Callum Turner’s Bucky handles it the best, maintaining a defiant optimism that if anyone is going to survive the war, it’s him and his buddy Buck. Austin Butler as Major Cleven is dashing in uniform, embodying the image of a dreamy American hero; however, his character is soberly practical and grounded, in stark contrast to his more bumptious friend.

Anthony Boyle portrays Lt. Harry Crosby, is turning out to be one of the most amusing characters in the show. As a navigator suffering from extreme air-sickness, he is seen puking his guts out while reading maps to guide the pilot. Crosby’s scenes in both episodes generate a curious mix of grossness, humor, and anxiety, as his comrades’ lives depend on his accurate map reading. A few other supporting characters are also introduced in the first two episodes and the friendships and camaraderie between the men make “Masters of the Air” very entertaining. One of the high points of the story is the palpable animosity between the American officers and their English counterparts, with a comedic bar scene highlighting just how much the supposed allies despise each other. The contrasting accents, phrases, and manners of speaking between the two nationalities add an extra layer of subtle hilarity to the scene.

The second episode focuses on the 100th group’s mission to bomb German U-boats in Norway. It’s largely a tense edition, with surprisingly upbeat last few minutes that do not involve combat efforts. “Masters of the Air” might lead some viewers to expect an expert group of men triumphantly bombing enemies, but it’s a chaotic dive into the skies, where things are scarily uncertain. If you enjoy historical war-based narratives, this show is worth watching.

You can stream “Masters of the Air” on Apple TV+.

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