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» » Roots: The Next Generations Part IV (1917-1921) (1979)

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With 8 soldiers hanged for staging a mutiny in the 24th Infantry, Bertha is worried about Simon. Criticizing the army during wartime isn't necessarily a safe practice however. Will Palmer finds that the local draft board isn't applying the rules fairly to blacks. The army is commanded by white officers only and black men get little respect. One of Simon's fellow black soldier, Heywood, is badly beaten by a State Trooper and some in the platoon want to take revenge, but its Heywood who talks sense into them. They're soon sent overseas and in France face the Germans in combat but failure to provide covering artillery fire leads to death as they attempt to take out a machine-gun nest. While in the trenches, Simon learns that his father died on the operating table. He is also wounded in a gas attack and in hospital meets a Senegalese soldier. They celebrate Armistice day and make plans for the future, Simon believes that it will be different for blacks at home now that they've fought for ...

This episode takes place from 1917 to 1921.

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    • Author: Jozrone
    Chapter four finds Simon Haley (Dorian Harewood) a willing volunteer in Uncle Sam's army, though black soldiers don't receive the same kind of reverence as the white boys. Back in Henning, Bertha Palmer (Irene Cara) patiently waits for her man to come home, while her father Will (Stan Shaw) tries in vain to exempt farmer and three time father Luke Bettiger (Charles Robinson) from the unforgiving draft board, who are only interested in meeting their quota for the county. Doxey Walker (Charles Weldon) wonders if it's worth it seeing one of his fellow soldiers beaten by racist cops: "what we got against them Germans, seems like we fighting the wrong white men!" France is no cakewalk either, but Lt. Ten Van Eyck (John Rubinstein) is duly impressed by the resilience shown by his troops under duress, hopelessly undermanned but still able to save his life. Simon's long awaited homecoming means wedding bells for he and Bertha, who will be leaving for Cornell University in New York, where Simon will study for his degree in agriculture. Some 14 months pass before an impatient Will Palmer is surprised by his visiting son-in-law, presenting the newest addition to the family to greet the waiting moon by November 1921 - Alexander Murray Palmer Haley, future author of the acclaimed ROOTS.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Irene Cara Irene Cara - Bertha Palmer Haley
    Bernie Casey Bernie Casey - Bubba Haywood
    Ruby Dee Ruby Dee - Queen Haley
    Pam Grier Pam Grier - Francey
    Roosevelt Grier Roosevelt Grier - Big Slew Johnson (as Rosey Grier)
    Dorian Harewood Dorian Harewood - Simon Haley
    Paul Koslo Paul Koslo - Earl Crowther
    Gerald S. O'Loughlin Gerald S. O'Loughlin - Captain Bowker
    Percy Rodrigues Percy Rodrigues - Boyd Moffatt
    John Rubinstein John Rubinstein - Lieutenant Hamilton Ten Eyck
    Stan Shaw Stan Shaw - Will Palmer
    Marc Singer Marc Singer - Andy Warner
    Charles Weldon Charles Weldon - Doxey Walker
    Bever-Leigh Banfield Bever-Leigh Banfield - Cynthia Palmer
    Diana Douglas Diana Douglas - Mrs. Andy Warner
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