Although I really liked the entire episode, even if a bit far-fetched, I do admit that I personally found it disappointing in its use of Michael Preston, a really fun actor who could have made a far more effective villain than he's given a chance in "Jennie" (named after a brave American teacher String encounters in a Central American jungle). Preston has a few lines, maybe two important scenes besides the climactic chopper showdown he was certain to lose despite efforts on the contrary, but never gets to sink his teeth into his Colonel Ross, allied with Colonel Mayorga (Valentin de Vargas) as they look to secure control over Central American territory. Jennie (Lenore Kasdorf) has several deaf Central American youths, their village destroyed by Mayorga and Ross' forces, including ALV tanks that operate unmanned, controlled by a computer, operated by remote control. Jennie and her kids encounter String as he leads a scientist, Jonas Keith (Allan Miller), through the jungle with a mission to eventually meet Santini and Caitlin at a checkpoint miles ahead. Led into a camp protected by Mayorga and troops by freedom fighter legend, "El Gato", Gustavo (Richard Yniguez), String successfully retrieves Keith, but it comes with a price: Gustavo is killed while giving String and Keith time to get away. The ending has Mayorga and Ross attacking a village protected by a concrete wall they call "Operation Blackstone" due to a long rising post near the entrance. Using ALVs as weapons, they do a serious damage to the village as String tries to figure out a way to protect the people, the kids holing up with Jennie, a nun, and a cow lady who leads them in song inside a church. I'm a sucker for this sort of plot, I must admit. It is outlandish to think that String, a scientist who admits he isn't a soldier (always griping and complaining, often just voicing concern for his own safety), a teacher, and some kids could move through "enemy lines" as soldiers (and even an overhead chopper) of many never see them, even locating a village successfully. Even after pirates with machetes try to attack them (an odd sidebar that sort of comes unexpectedly towards the end), nonetheless String and company escape unscathed...perhaps designed specifically for Jennie having to shoot one of the pirates without choice. So definitely there will be a need to suspend disbelief. But the conclusion is loaded with excitement as the tanks (with some inside look at its tech when approaching a target) bombard the village while those inside scatter as certain gunmen try to defend their turf despite heavy artillery placing them at disadvantage. No doubt that Airwolf would come to save the day. Before Santini and Caitlin can get to the village they must make sure a jeep and soldiers approaching them are obliterated. The ending would see the ALVs taken care of a bit too easily by Airwolf while Ross' chopper gets more open fire on the supercopter. All seems well as the villagers will pick up the pieces and try to rebuild, as String and Jennie say goodbye. I even fell for the building relationship between String and Jennie's students during their journey, finding camaraderie and respect while trying to stay alive. String hugging all the kids as Santini acknowledges how special this is isn't as schmaltzy as I was expecting, mainly because of the peril and grind they all go through as the episode concludes. Gustavo and Caitlin have a brief flirtation and date preparation but that is obviously never meant to be.
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