This article contains spoilers for Masters of the Air episode 3.Barry Keoghan had a strong reaction to the Masters of the Air episode 3 ending. Set during World War II, the show follows the 100th Bombardment Group, as it struggles to cope with increasingly heavy losses. In episode 3, particularly, as the 100th charges forward in the hopes of leading a devastating attack, Lt. Curtis Biddick (Keoghan) crashes while trying to save the lives of his passengers. He and his co-pilot both die in the wreckage.
The true story of the Regensburg Mission is a painful one, and Keoghan now understands that first-hand. In an interview with Collider, Keoghan explained that he always knew that Biddick’s fate would likely be tragic. He was heavily impacted by Biddick’s death all the same and reports that “it really hit me hard” when he saw the final footage. Check out his full quote below:
I knew that it was probably heading that way. How I wanted to play Biddick, and how I read him, was he was a guy wanting to put on a front and have a certain mentality trickle down to his squad, and to let his squad know that their leader is confident and everything’s going to be cool and to hold their composure — when, matter of fact, he was dealing with his own battles, and he probably had doubt, as well. But there was no time for that. There was no time for grieving. There was no time for any of that until that moment we see, right before he goes. It’s just a quick moment, and I think it’s done very, very well, and captured very well. We see the boy, you know what I mean? We see all of that drop, and it sticks with you. Even though I know I’ve done it, when I saw it, it really hit me hard.
The Tragedy of Biddick’s Story
World War II was a devastating time in world history that saw millions of people lose their lives in the fighting. Soldiers and civilians alike suffered in the waves of attacks. While Band of Brothers told the story of Easy Company, Masters of the Air has instead chosen to focus on the notorious 100th Bombardment Group, which was well-known for its poor luck. Biddick was just another victim of the 100th’s reputation.
Biddick had no choice but to sacrifice his life to ensure the survival of his fellow soldiers. By remaining in the cockpit, he gave them the time they needed to evacuate the plane. It is a horrifying but real story that perfectly suits the show, because it understands that too many characters will never get a happy ending. Had Biddick escaped, it would have insulted Lt. Biddick’s real-world legacy, and it would have hurt the show.
Lt. Curtis Biddick True Story: What Happens To Barry Keoghan’s Pilot In Masters Of The Air
Barry Keoghan plays Lieutenant Curtis Biddick in Masters of the Air, a real-life soldier that made a definite impact on the 100th Bomb Group.
Keoghan’s performance made Biddick’s death even more tragic than it might have otherwise been. In portraying Biddick’s vulnerability, Keoghan wanted to remind viewers that he was still painfully young. Just before his death, Biddick is made to look like a boy again, rather than the winged hero that he would later be remembered as. The reality of Biddick’s death perfectly suits the sobering truths of Masters of the Air.
Masters of the Air
Masters of the Air is an Apple TV+ original war drama starring Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, and Barry Keoghan. The series follows a group of eleven World War II pilots who fight German fighters in a bomber called “The Flying Fortress.” The miniseries was created by John Shiban and John Orloff and based on the book Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L. Miller.
