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Internationally, ''The Unit'' premiered on October 3, 2006 in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[Bravo (television channel)|Bravo]], on October 11, 2006 in [[Australia]] on the [[Seven Network]], and on FOX8 Cable TV on Foxtel/Austar Cable network, on January 11 in [[Spain]] on [[La Sexta]], on January 25 in [[The Netherlands]] on [[RTL 5]], on March 7 in [[Germany]] on [[Sat. 1]], on September 23 in [[Bulgaria]] on [[bTV (Bulgaria)|bTV]] and on March 9 2008 in [[Russia]] on DTV.
Internationally, ''The Unit'' premiered on October 3, 2006 in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[Bravo (television channel)|Bravo]], on October 11, 2006 in [[Australia]] on the [[Seven Network]], and on FOX8 Cable TV on Foxtel/Austar Cable network, on January 11 in [[Spain]] on [[La Sexta]], on January 25 in [[The Netherlands]] on [[RTL 5]], on March 7 in [[Germany]] on [[Sat. 1]], on September 23 in [[Bulgaria]] on [[bTV (Bulgaria)|bTV]] and on March 9 2008 in [[Russia]] on DTV.


The theme music for the first and second season was "Fired Up," an adaptation of the [[United States Marine Corps]] running [[Military cadence|cadence]] song "Fired Up...Feels Good" by [[Robert Duncan (composer)|Robert Duncan]]. He also created "Walk the Fire," a 22-second segment used as a theme since season three.<ref>[http://www.myspace.com/robertduncan MySpace: Robert Duncan] Retrieved on October 5, 2007.</ref>
The theme music for the first and second season was "Fired Up" an adaptation of the [[United States Marine Corps]] running [[Military cadence|cadence]] song "Fired Up...Feels Good" by [[Robert Duncan (composer)|Robert Duncan]]. He also created "Walk the Fire" a 22-second segment used as a theme since season three.<ref>[http://www.myspace.com/robertduncan MySpace: Robert Duncan] Retrieved on October 5, 2007.</ref>


==Summary==
==Summary==
[[Image:303LogStudUnit.jpg|right|thumb|The Unit insignia|200px]]
[[Image:303LogStudUnit.jpg|right|thumb|The Unit insignia|200px]]
The Unit is a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] organization similar to [[Delta Force]]. As with Delta Force, its members come from the [[United States Army]] and appear to be primarily tasked with counterterrorism. The unit's official cover is as the "303rd Logistical Studies Group." In the third season's premiere, an onscreen read-out specifically identifies the unit as "ALPHA Team 1st Special Actions Group."
The Unit is a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] organization similar to [[Delta Force]]. As with Delta Force, its members come from the [[United States Army]] and appear to be primarily tasked with counterterrorism. The unit's official cover is as the "303rd Logistical Studies Group" In the third season's premiere, an onscreen read-out specifically identifies the unit as "ALPHA Team 1st Special Actions Group"


The Unit is based at a fictional army post, "Fort Griffith." The location of Fort Griffith is never explicitly stated, but in Episode 303 "Always Kiss Them Goodbye," the storyline suggests that it is northwest of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and west/southwest of St. Louis, Missouri, which would place it in the vicinity of the real-life [[Fort Leonard Wood]]. The common sight of the Missouri license plate supports Fort Griffith's being placed in Missouri, as well as a flyer in Episode 206 "Old Home Week," handed out at an anti-war rally at the Fort Griffith gates, inviting fellow protesters to a seminar in [[Greenwood, Missouri]].
The Unit is based at a fictional army post, "Fort Griffith" The location of Fort Griffith is never explicitly stated, but in Episode 303 "Always Kiss Them Goodbye" the storyline suggests that it is northwest of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and west/southwest of St. Louis, Missouri, which would place it in the vicinity of the real-life [[Fort Leonard Wood]]. The common sight of the Missouri license plate supports Fort Griffith's being placed in Missouri, as well as a flyer in Episode 206 "Old Home Week" handed out at an anti-war rally at the Fort Griffith gates, inviting fellow protesters to a seminar in [[Greenwood, Missouri]].


The unit's immediate chain of command goes to the commanding officer, Colonel Tom Ryan—and, presumably, straight to the [[President of the United States]]. It is unknown if this bypasses the [[Secretary of Defense]].
The unit's immediate chain of command goes to the commanding officer, Colonel Tom Ryan—and, presumably, straight to the [[President of the United States]]. It is unknown if this bypasses the [[Secretary of Defense]].
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==Notes==
==Notes==
<div class="references-small">
<div class="references-small">
{{note|blane rank|**}}There are [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity errors]] regarding the rank of Jonas Blane. In "Pandemonium, Part 2," Blane states his rank as [[Command Sergeant Major]], while his uniform rank is Sergeant Major. In the United States Army, however, soldiers are often laterally transitioned between the ranks depending on their assignments. Command Sergeants Major are also addressed as "Sergeant Major" when in conversation, not "Command Sergeant Major." This is similar to the rules where a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class are addressed simply as "Sergeant."
{{note|blane rank|**}}There are [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity errors]] regarding the rank of Jonas Blane. In "Pandemonium, Part 2" Blane states his rank as [[Command Sergeant Major]], while his uniform rank is Sergeant Major. In the United States Army, however, soldiers are often laterally transitioned between the ranks depending on their assignments. Command Sergeants Major are also addressed as "Sergeant Major" when in conversation, not "Command Sergeant Major" This is similar to the rules where a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class are addressed simply as "Sergeant"


{{note|brown rank|**}}Promoted from [[Staff_Sergeant#United_States|Staff Sergeant]] during "Side Angle Side."
{{note|brown rank|**}}Promoted from [[Staff_Sergeant#United_States|Staff Sergeant]] during "Side Angle Side"


{{note|gerhardt rank|**}}Although this might have just been [[dirty talk]], a similar continuity error exists regarding the rank of Mack Gerhardt. In the season 1 episode "True Believers" his wife says to him "come here Sergeant Major, and give me a report," but his rank is later established as Master Sergeant.
{{note|gerhardt rank|**}}Although this might have just been [[dirty talk]], a similar continuity error exists regarding the rank of Mack Gerhardt. In the season 1 episode "True Believers" his wife says to him "come here Sergeant Major, and give me a report," but his rank is later established as Master Sergeant.


{{note|ryan rank|**}}Promoted from [[Colonel#United_States|Colonel]] during "Unknown Soldier."
{{note|ryan rank|**}}Promoted from [[Colonel#United_States|Colonel]] during "Unknown Soldier"


{{note|ryan callsign|*}}There has been confusion concerning Ryan's callsign. Dog Patch is the callsign for the [[Tactical Operations Center|TOC]] with the 06 designator referring to its commander (see the [[Call_sign#U.S._Army|US Army section]] in [[Call_sign|Call Signs]] for more detail on this name-number structure). Blue Iguana is the callsign used to identify Ryan when he is out on operations.
{{note|ryan callsign|*}}There has been confusion concerning Ryan's callsign. Dog Patch is the callsign for the [[Tactical Operations Center|TOC]] with the 06 designator referring to its commander (see the [[Call_sign#U.S._Army|US Army section]] in [[Call_sign|Call Signs]] for more detail on this name-number structure). Blue Iguana is the callsign used to identify Ryan when he is out on operations.


{{note|joss surname|*}}Formerly Morgan; married Grey in "Unknown Soldier."
{{note|joss surname|*}}Formerly Morgan; married Grey in "Unknown Soldier"


{{note|williams kia|†}}[[Killed in action]], [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]] during "Five Brothers."
{{note|williams kia|†}}[[Killed in action]], [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]] during "Five Brothers"


</div>
</div>
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'''Season 1'''
'''Season 1'''
* In the episode "Non-Permissive Environment" the uniforms of the Spanish police corps are obsolete (those that are shown were used in the 70's), and the [[Civil Guard (Spain)]] police force have no competences in metropolitan areas such as [[Valencia, Spain]]. Also the police car's model, paint and decals are mistaken.
* In the episode "Non-Permissive Environment" the uniforms of the Spanish police corps are obsolete (those that are shown were used in the 70's), and the [[Civil Guard (Spain)]] police force have no competences in metropolitan areas such as [[Valencia, Spain]]. Also the police car's model, paint and decals are mistaken.
* In the episode "Unannounced," a call is traced to ''Peshawar, India''. [[Peshawar]] is in Pakistan, not India.
* In the episode "Unannounced" a call is traced to ''Peshawar, India''. [[Peshawar]] is in Pakistan, not India.
'''Season 2'''
'''Season 2'''
* In the episode "Sub Conscious", the South Korean sailors' rank insignia pins are incorrect. Also, sailors' shirt color isn't one that issuing in the actual [[ROK Navy]].
* In the episode "Sub Conscious", the South Korean sailors' rank insignia pins are incorrect. Also, sailors' shirt color isn't one that issuing in the actual [[ROK Navy]].
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* In episode 1 ("First Responders"), Bob Brown is looking at photos on the wall of Ron and Ruthie's cabin—the first photo is of [[Eric Haney]], author of ''Inside Delta Force'' and the show's producer and military consultant.
* In episode 1 ("First Responders"), Bob Brown is looking at photos on the wall of Ron and Ruthie's cabin—the first photo is of [[Eric Haney]], author of ''Inside Delta Force'' and the show's producer and military consultant.
* In episode 2 ("Stress"), the sign outside the 303<sup>rd</sup> Logistical Studies building lists that unit's [[Command Sergeant Major]] as "E.L. Haney", [[Eric Haney]]'s actual [[U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia|Army rank]] when he retired. Haney in fact never got the chance to be the [[Command Sergeant Major]] of [[Delta Force]], as he was promoted when there was already a CSM of Delta Force.
* In episode 2 ("Stress"), the sign outside the 303<sup>rd</sup> Logistical Studies building lists that unit's [[Command Sergeant Major]] as "E.L. Haney", [[Eric Haney]]'s actual [[U.S. Army enlisted rank insignia|Army rank]] when he retired. Haney in fact never got the chance to be the [[Command Sergeant Major]] of [[Delta Force]], as he was promoted when there was already a CSM of Delta Force.
* In episode 11 ("Exposure"), the engraving on the knife (C 1/75 - [[List of acronyms and initialisms: B|BOHICA]]) found by Jonas and Cheals in the Central American store refers to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. This was the company Eric Haney was assigned to when he was a member of 1st Ranger Battalion. It also refers to the company of Rangers attached to Delta Force during [[Operation Eagle Claw]], the attempted rescue of US Hostages in Iran, 1979. (BOHICA on the other hand stands for "Bend Over Here It Comes Again.")
* In episode 11 ("Exposure"), the engraving on the knife (C 1/75 - [[List of acronyms and initialisms: B|BOHICA]]) found by Jonas and Cheals in the Central American store refers to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. This was the company Eric Haney was assigned to when he was a member of 1st Ranger Battalion. It also refers to the company of Rangers attached to Delta Force during [[Operation Eagle Claw]], the attempted rescue of US Hostages in Iran, 1979. (BOHICA on the other hand stands for "Bend Over Here It Comes Again")


'''Other References'''
'''Other References'''

Revision as of 13:37, 19 May 2009

The Unit
This file may be deleted after Sunday, 23 December 2007.
The Unit title screen
Created byDavid Mamet
StarringDennis Haysbert
Regina Taylor
Scott Foley
Robert Patrick
Audrey Marie Anderson
Max Martini
Abby Brammell
Demore Barnes
Michael Irby
Nicole Steinwedell
Country of originUnited States United States
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes69 (list of episodes)
Production
Running timeapprox. 42 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseMarch 7, 2006 –
present

The Unit is an American action-drama television series that focuses on a top-secret military unit modeled after the real life Delta Force.

Production

The program features both the domestic lives of the team members and their missions abroad, in addition to the effect their careers have on their home lives, wives and girlfriends. It premiered in the United States on March 7, 2006, on CBS as a mid-season replacement. The second season debuted on September 19, 2006. The third season started on September 25, 2007, with a hiatus occurring after the 11th episode due to 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. The show was picked up for a fourth season by CBS on May 12, 2008.[1] The fourth season began on September 28, 2008.

Premise

Based on show producer Eric Haney's book, Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit (ISBN 0-440-23733-5), The Unit was created for television and executive produced by David Mamet and Shawn Ryan. The show is produced by The Barn Productions Inc., David Mamet Entertainment, and Fire Ants Films in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

Internationally, The Unit premiered on October 3, 2006 in the United Kingdom on Bravo, on October 11, 2006 in Australia on the Seven Network, and on FOX8 Cable TV on Foxtel/Austar Cable network, on January 11 in Spain on La Sexta, on January 25 in The Netherlands on RTL 5, on March 7 in Germany on Sat. 1, on September 23 in Bulgaria on bTV and on March 9 2008 in Russia on DTV.

The theme music for the first and second season was "Fired Up", an adaptation of the United States Marine Corps running cadence song "Fired Up...Feels Good" by Robert Duncan. He also created "Walk the Fire", a 22-second segment used as a theme since season three.[2]

Summary

File:303LogStudUnit.jpg
The Unit insignia

The Unit is a U.S. Army organization similar to Delta Force. As with Delta Force, its members come from the United States Army and appear to be primarily tasked with counterterrorism. The unit's official cover is as the "303rd Logistical Studies Group". In the third season's premiere, an onscreen read-out specifically identifies the unit as "ALPHA Team 1st Special Actions Group".

The Unit is based at a fictional army post, "Fort Griffith". The location of Fort Griffith is never explicitly stated, but in Episode 303 "Always Kiss Them Goodbye", the storyline suggests that it is northwest of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and west/southwest of St. Louis, Missouri, which would place it in the vicinity of the real-life Fort Leonard Wood. The common sight of the Missouri license plate supports Fort Griffith's being placed in Missouri, as well as a flyer in Episode 206 "Old Home Week", handed out at an anti-war rally at the Fort Griffith gates, inviting fellow protesters to a seminar in Greenwood, Missouri.

The unit's immediate chain of command goes to the commanding officer, Colonel Tom Ryan—and, presumably, straight to the President of the United States. It is unknown if this bypasses the Secretary of Defense.

The wives of the unit's ALPHA team personnel are given minimal mission or operational information. They are responsible to maintain the "303rd Logistical Studies Group" cover in all interactions with anyone who is not a Unit family member. Their husbands are, in fact, still performing highly dangerous missions, but they are not permitted to know specifics, such as where their husbands are deployed, what their training routines consist of, how long their assignments will last - or even if their husbands are safe.

If a member of the Unit is killed in action, the family is told that they have been killed on a training mission. The wives themselves are encouraged to form a close, cohesive military family based on the mutual knowledge and strife this inevitably leads to.

The Unit has an unconventional structure. With the size of a company - approximately 130 operators - it is commanded by a Colonel (companies are usually commanded by Captains; Colonels usually command elements like regiments). The CO, Colonel Ryan, normally wears a "sanitized" uniform (bearing absolutely no tapes, such as his name, or even U.S. Army, or rank insignia).

File:303TomRyan.jpg
303rd's insignia as demonstrated by Colonel Tom Ryan

Whereas a Special Forces ODA (Operational Detachment—Alpha) is commanded by a Captain, the Unit sends five-man teams into the field under non-commissioned officers, such as the team lead by Sergeant Major Jonas Blane, the Unit's NCOIC of Alpha team. It is possible that their soldiers have the same Special Forces specialties as in Army Special Forces. An ODA, formerly known as an "A-Team", has weapons sergeants, engineering sergeants, medical sergeants, communications sergeants, etc.

The wives, if suspected of speaking about the Unit's existence, can cause their husbands to be expelled and returned to regular Army service. Colonel Ryan has stated, time and again, that this can ruin a soldier's career, as well as their marriage, and has also stated that he will not hesitate to destroy families in order to preserve the Unit's security. He has also threatened the wives with closing the Unit down, and restarting it somewhere else under another cover - forcing the uprooting of all families involved.

The Unit deploys throughout the world, and both the Army and United States government have the ability to deny the existence of the Unit and any of its members in order to prevent the onset of international incidents. Their uniforms are commonly not standard Army issue, which makes it easier to deny their connection with the US Army if they are killed or captured. They also carry weapons that are not always standard-issue, and the Unit's personnel are well-familiarized with weapons from around the world and can make themselves look like military personnel from other organizations.

The Unit's members will frequently use code names such as Mr. White, Mr. Black, Mr. Blue or Mr. Green. These are usually used when working directly with American civilians, other English speakers not trained for emergencies, or on counterterrorism missions. According to Jonas Blane, the order of precedence for his team after he is disabled, is, from top to bottom: Mack Gerhardt, Charles Grey, Hector Williams†, and Bob Brown.

Episodes

Main article: List of The Unit episodes

Ratings

USA TV Ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of The Unit on CBS:

Season Timeslot (EDT) Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Rank Viewers
(in millions)
1 Tuesday 9:00 P.M. March 7, 2006 May 16, 2006 2005–2006 #14 15.5[3]
2 Tuesday 9:00 P.M. September 19, 2006 May 8, 2007 2006–2007 #36 11.1[4]
3 Tuesday 9:00 P.M. September 25, 2007 December 18, 2007 2007–2008 #37 10.7[5]
4 Sunday 10:00 P.M. September 28, 2008 May 10, 2009 2008–2009 #28 9.15 (to date)[6]
1st Season

3/07/06 (series premiere):

  • UNIT 18.19, 5.1

3/21/06:

  • UNIT 15.27, 4.2

3/28/06:

  • UNIT 15.90, 4.6

4/04/06:

  • UNIT 15.28, 4.3

4/11/06:

  • UNIT 13.93, 3.8

4/25/06:

  • UNIT 13.75, 3.9

5/02/06:

  • UNIT 13.91, 3.7

5/09/06:

  • UNIT 14.18, 3.8
  • UNIT (10pm) 12.33, 3.7
4th Season

Sunday, January 11, 2009: Timeslot/Household Rating/Viewers (millions)

  • 7:00PM AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF: 19.6, 34.11 (Household Peak: 21.1)
  • 8:02PM AFC DIVISONAL PLAYOFF POSTGAME: 12.6, 21.35
  • 8:08PM 60 MINUTES: 9.2, 15.03 (Household Peak: 10.0)
  • 9:08PM COLD CASE: 7.7, 12.3 (Household Peak: 8.2)
  • 10:08PM THE UNIT: 6.3, 10.16 (Household Peak: 8.39)

Canadian Ratings

The series averages about 105,000 viewers.[citation needed]

UK Ratings

Shown Wednesdays 10PM on Virgin 1.

Episode Number Episode Air Date Viewers[7] Ranka
1 Sacrifice March 18, 2009 324,000 #1
2 Sudden Flight March 25, 2009 279,000 #2
3 Sex Trade April 1, 2009 227,000 #8
4 The Conduit April 8, 2009 211,000 #9
5 Dancing Lessons April 15, 2009 286,000 #2
6 Inquisition April 22, 2009 290,000 #2
7 Into Hell, Part 1 April 29, 2009 260,000 #2

a Ranks are for Virgin 1 weekly, not for overall TV.
* Overnight ratings.

DVD releases

DVD Name Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4
The Complete First Season September 19, 2006 April 30, 2007

France: July 4, 2007
Belgium: August 8 2007

April 18, 2007 April 18, 2007
The Complete Second Season September 25, 2007 October 22, 2007 TBA March 4, 2008
The Complete Third Season[8] October 14, 2008 October 20, 2008 TBA April 8, 2009

Cast

Actor Role Callsign Season
Dennis Haysbert Sergeant Major** Jonas Blane Snake Doctor 1–
Regina Taylor Molly Blane 1–
Scott Foley Sergeant First Class** Bob Brown Cool Breeze 1–
Audrey Marie Anderson Kim Brown 1–
Max Martini Master Sergeant** Mack Gerhardt Dirt Diver 1–
Abby Brammell Tiffy Gerhardt 1–
Michael Irby Sergeant First Class Charles Grey Betty Blue 1–
Bre Blair Joss Grey* 4-
Demore Barnes Sergeant First Class Hector Williams† Hammerhead 1–3
Robert Patrick Brigadier General** Thomas Ryan Blue Iguana* 1–
Nicole Steinwedell Warrant Officer One Bridget Sullivan Red Cap 4–
Wes Chatham Staff Sergeant Sam McBride Whiplash 4–
Kavita Patil Sergeant Kayla Medawar 1–
Susan Matus Sergeant Sarah Irvine 2–
Rebecca Pidgeon Charlotte Ryan 1–4
Summer Glau Crystal Burns 2
Daniel Wisler Jeremy Erhart 2
Alyssa Shafer Serena Brown 1-4

Main crew

Notes

^** There are continuity errors regarding the rank of Jonas Blane. In "Pandemonium, Part 2", Blane states his rank as Command Sergeant Major, while his uniform rank is Sergeant Major. In the United States Army, however, soldiers are often laterally transitioned between the ranks depending on their assignments. Command Sergeants Major are also addressed as "Sergeant Major" when in conversation, not "Command Sergeant Major". This is similar to the rules where a Staff Sergeant or Sergeant First Class are addressed simply as "Sergeant".

^** Promoted from Staff Sergeant during "Side Angle Side".

^** Although this might have just been dirty talk, a similar continuity error exists regarding the rank of Mack Gerhardt. In the season 1 episode "True Believers" his wife says to him "come here Sergeant Major, and give me a report," but his rank is later established as Master Sergeant.

^** Promoted from Colonel during "Unknown Soldier".

^* There has been confusion concerning Ryan's callsign. Dog Patch is the callsign for the TOC with the 06 designator referring to its commander (see the US Army section in Call Signs for more detail on this name-number structure). Blue Iguana is the callsign used to identify Ryan when he is out on operations.

^* Formerly Morgan; married Grey in "Unknown Soldier".

^† Killed in action, Beirut, Lebanon during "Five Brothers".

References

  1. ^ Upfronts: CBS renews Britney Spears-enhanced 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'The Unit' : Show Tracker : Los Angeles Times
  2. ^ MySpace: Robert Duncan Retrieved on October 5, 2007.
  3. ^ "2005-06 primetime wrap". 2006-05-26. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 primetime wrap". May 25 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |source= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Season Program Rankings" (PDF). ABC Medianet. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  6. ^ http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=121608_04
  7. ^ http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammes?
  8. ^ "Unit, The - Season 3 Press Release & Cover Art (DVD)". TVOnMedia.com. Retrieved 2008-07-20.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Unit&oldid=290941508"