The episode opens with Sullivan stepping away from base to attend the wedding of his old Marine buddy, Rob Maitra. He delivers a heartfelt toast about honor and brotherhood before grabbing a mic and singing a ballad for the newlyweds’ first dance. But beneath the charm, Sullivan’s inner world is unraveling. In a fleeting daydream, he sees himself talking with Wilkinson about lovers and warriors, an imagined moment that dissolves as he’s pulled back to the wedding dance floor. He declines to join, too weighed down by his emotions to fake another smile.
Back at boot camp, Cameron’s struggling with his own distractions, namely his new bunkmate, Jones. In the shower area, he’s lost in thought, replaying every small smile and wondering if there’s something more between them. His internal monologue teeters between hope and self-doubt, as he contemplates the risks of catching feelings in a place that doesn’t tolerate them.
The next day, during camo training, the recruits paint each other’s faces. Cameron confides in Ray about his new crush, telling him he thinks Jones might be gay, too. Before Ray can even process it, he hurls mid-conversation, covering Cameron in vomit, an abrupt reality check if there ever was one.
Meanwhile, it’s the morning after the wedding, and Sullivan’s sitting with a newspaper headline about the Marines cracking down on homosexual activity. Rob Maitra walks in and confesses that he was the one who reported Wilkinson after Sullivan left Guam. Now it’s clear why the NCIS investigation started, and why Sullivan can’t seem to outrun his guilt.
Back in Platoon 2032’s bunks, Santos is selling random items for quarters, confusing everyone. Jones sneaks into the office, finds Werther’s candies in Howitt’s desk, pockets a few, and later slips one to Cameron, a tiny act that leaves Cameron grinning.
During land navigation training, Cameron and Jones pair off and start playing Truth or Dare. Jones admits he joined the Marines on a whim after a bad breakup, and because his recruiter was cute. When Cameron finally lets his guard down, Jones asks what it’s like being gay at boot camp. After a long pause, Cameron replies simply, “Exhausting.” It’s the first time he really admits it out loud. The two share an understanding, part empathy, part tension.
Elsewhere, Santos sneaks off to make a collect call home to his daughter and gets caught. In the sick bay, Ray flirts with the girl he met earlier, opening up about his family and his father’s strict ideals. The contrast between his rigid worldview and her carefree one makes for a surprisingly sweet moment.
Back at base, Sullivan notices the chemistry between Cameron and Jones and immediately grows suspicious. Later, Cameron follows Jones into the bathroom, misreading the signals, he leans in for a kiss, only to realize Jones is sleepwalking and starts peeing mid-scene. The next morning, the platoon is stuck cleaning it up, adding insult to injury.
In the fighting pit, Sullivan calls Cameron up for a demonstration, easily overpowering him and using it as a lesson in control. He then spars with Jones, hinting at a deal, a medical discharge in exchange for a favor. Cameron presses Jones later for details, but Jones only shrugs: “Fuck Sullivan.”
Tension peaks when the platoon’s sparring session spirals out of control. Jones calls Cameron a “faggot,” triggering flashbacks and rage. Cameron snaps, beating Jones down in front of everyone. McKinnon steps in, furious, saying, “That was not training.”
That night, a drunk Sullivan calls Fajardo, spiraling about the tattoos he and Wilkinson share, the same ones that might have given them away. His guilt is eating him alive. When a stranger bumps into him at the bar, Sullivan swings his beer mug, the outburst revealing just how close he is to completely losing control.
Click here to see how Episode 8 picks up the fallout from Sullivan’s breakdown and the platoon’s unraveling loyalties.
