‘BOOTS’ Episode 5 Recap: Rifle Range Rivalries and Tragedy in the Ranks

Episode 5 opens with a flash forward two weeks ahead: someone is in medical distress, and Cameron is the one calling it in. But the show keeps us guessing, who exactly needs help? Back in real time, the platoon is out in the field, and Ochoa’s voiceover sets the tone, noting that morale is high and the recruits are in surprisingly good spirits.

The action quickly shifts to the rifle range. The Marines are learning about the M16, the standard weapon, and gearing up for a shooting qualifier with three possible ranks: Marksman, Sharpshooter, and Expert. The winner gets a coveted call home, a prize that quickly becomes everyone’s focus. Meanwhile, back home, Barbara is thriving in the Marine moms’ group, selling makeup like a pro, but chaos looms when Ray’s mother, June, joins. Barbara frantically keeps up the lie that Cameron died, revealing she’s willing to stretch the truth to keep her sales rolling.

Ochoa is campaigning hard for the free phone call, offering himself as the perfect candidate. Captain Fajardo swears Sullivan into another term, while Sergeant McKinnon gets pulled in multiple directions, first by a false alarm from his wife about labor, then a tender moment connecting with his son, showing a rare softer side.

Mail finally arrives, and the recruits get a dose of home life. Ray relays the news that Barbara’s been fibbing about Cameron’s death, he’s alive, and her sales pitch is built on a lie. Cameron, ever unflappable, is unsurprised. Back at the range, Ochoa shoots spectacularly, proving he has serious skills. Cameron, distracted, needs Sullivan’s encouragement, and with some well-timed advice, hits a solid 5 on his target. Meanwhile, Slovacek hits a bird and is pulled off the line, creating tension for Nash, whose success determines Slovacek’s fate.

Night falls, and the personal stakes come to the surface. Cameron finds Ochoa struggling in the bathroom holding his the side of his head in pain, confessing he didn’t join to kill people and doesn’t want to become a sniper. Cameron offers to get some help for Ochoa since he looks like he’s in agonizing pain, but Ochoa declines saying that he’s fine. Ochoa opens up about enlisting the day his wife said yes, giving us a glimpse of the man behind the uniform. Cameron and Ray clash, with Ray accusing Cameron of being like his mother and Cameron firing back that Ray’s life revolves around his dad. The confrontation escalates, Cameron lands a punch, letting raw emotions out.

Sullivan is pulled into questioning with the NCIS agent from last episode, fielding pointed questions about Major Aaron Wilkinson and any potential homosexual conduct. Sullivan maintains that he knows nothing and is not homosexual, all while a quiet tension builds around his past. The NCIS agent asks Sullivan to take off his shirt for inspection. Sullivan obliges and we see that he has a “Semper Fi” tattoo on his chest.

The episode wraps up with McKinnon announcing the shooting qualifier results: Ochoa wins and is allowed a phone call, while Nash successfully passes, saving Slovacek from disqualification and potential jail. But the celebration is short-lived. During Ochoa’s call home, a man answers the phone, and confusion erupts as his wife’s voice calls out in the background. Ochoa is visibly disturbed by the revelation. His wife has been cheating on him while in bootcamp. Flustered, Ochoa leaves the office back to the bunk area. The tension escalates further when Sergeant Howitt antagonizes Ochoa and makes a joke about Ochoa’s wife unknowingly triggering Ochoa. Ochoa slaps popcorn out of Howitt’s hands leading to him telling Ochoa to do pushups. Ochoa starts but then goes off in a full blown meltdown. Howitt tells him to stop but Ochoa keeps going and going and going. Then, shockingly, Ochoa collapses. Cameron has to call the medic, leaving the platoo, and the audience, reeling. Sullivan later comes in to tell Cameron to pack Ochoa’s things, he’s dead.

Click here to see what happens next in Episode 6 as the platoon faces new challenges and unexpected consequences.

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