Introduction

China Beach is an American dramatic television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War.

The title refers to My Khe beach in the city of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, nicknamed “China Beach” in English by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War. The ABC TV drama aired for four seasons, from 1988 to 1991.

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Outline

The Tet Offensive begins. Trapped at a firebase, Cherry comforts a fellow Red Cross “doughnut dolly” and bonds with the two soldiers defending their bunker. McMurphy and K.C. are locked down in the I Corps Headquarters, where McMurphy learns K.C. has been skin-popping heroin and helps her through withdrawal. Beckett visits Mai at her family’s hamlet and is attacked and held captive by Mai’s brother, a Viet Cong soldier. Dr. Richard and a still-recuperating Dodger defend the barricaded hospital, but Dodger unnerves the doctor by estimating the distance of falling shells. Wayloo Marie tries to capture the combat around the base, following Boonie and other soldiers around China Beach. As morning breaks, Boonie clears the hospital barricade to reach Dr. Richard and Dodger. Beckett is released and protects Mai’s hamlet by talking down ARVN soldiers who enter her home. Cherry survives the night at the firebase, but is killed by an explosion as she exits the bunker the next morning.

In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode number 87 on its ‘100 Greatest Episodes of All Time’ list.

China Beach Series

You can find a full index and overview of China Beach here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 25 January 1989.
• Running Time: 46-47 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link