This week Hulu gives us our first look at its new World War II miniseries, Catch-22, based on the acclaimed novel by Joseph Heller. Featuring six episodes, the program is directed by George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Ellen Kuras. Clooney also stars in Catch-22, portraying Scheisskopf, a barking mad, parade-obsessed military officer.
The series ultimately centers around a US air squadron in Italy in World War II. Alongside Clooney, Christopher Abbott plays a bombardier named Yossarian. Yossarian has one goal each time he takes off: to come back alive. Unfortunately, Yossarian continues to be sent out on mission after mission, further diminishing his chances at life after the war.
Yossarian and his unit have more to worry about than retreating Germans, however, with the military’s insistent tendency to invert logic whenever possible. This cannot be more evident than Catch-22, a military by-law stating that if you fly your missions, you’re crazy, and don’t have to fly them. All you have to do is ask, but if you ask, then you’re presumed sane, therefore you have to fly them.
Kyle Chandler and Hugh Laurie also feature in Catch-22, which premieres on Hulu May 17.
