"Going Dutch" Season 1, Episode 6, titled When You Wish Upon a Star, brings the laughs with a satirical look at military politics and ambitions in a very unconventional setting. The episode features Colonel Patrick Quinn's battle with his career, specifically his delayed promotion to general, which sets the stage for some of the funniest moments.
The episode kicks off with Quinn's frustration over not getting his long-awaited star, despite his resume practically screaming "general." When he gets an unexpected call from General Davidson (who just received his second star), it's clear that Quinn’s road to promotion is not going to be easy. To make matters worse, his attempts to bond with fellow officers, such as Colonel Elias and others, only reveal how out of sync his generation is with the new-age military mindset. The humor lies in how Quinn’s old-school attitude clashes with the modern world and his often misguided (yet hilarious) attempts to make headway in his career.
While Quinn is grappling with career disappointment, Captain Maggie Perez is laser-focused on climbing the ranks in D.C. She sees the shuffle of military positions as an opportunity to make a career leap, but her strategy involves some highly questionable (and comedic) schemes. Throughout the episode, her interactions with the other characters, like Major Abraham Shah and Sergeant Conway, add some depth to her character and also inject humor through their equally ridiculous, but lovable, personalities.
One of the standout plotlines is Quinn's attempt to be "nicer" in order to earn his promotion. His relationship with Sergeant Papadakis (a fellow officer who seems to have an endless amount of energy) brings great comedic relief as they bond over an absurdly large sub sandwich, while also navigating military politics. Quinn's journey to charm General King (an influential figure in the military) turns into a series of awkward and funny encounters.
The episode also explores more personal moments of the characters as they question their careers and personal lives, blending absurd humor with a touch of heart. At one point, Quinn even has to face his emotional vulnerability when his obsession with gaining his star goes from being a career goal to an existential crisis.
In classic "Going Dutch" fashion, the show delivers sharp wit and a satirical take on ambition and the politics of the military. The comedy is built on character-driven humor, with standout performances from the ensemble cast. The absurd situations they find themselves in, along with their exaggerated personalities, provide a refreshing and funny commentary on the cutthroat nature of military careers and personal growth.
By the end of the episode, Quinn’s personal and professional lives reach an interesting crossroads, with plenty of room for both development and future comedic moments. When You Wish Upon a Star succeeds in its humor, showcasing the complicated and often hilarious dynamics of ambition, career aspirations, and the awkward, yet heartfelt, moments that come with it.
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