When We Go to War focuses on the impact the war has on a middle New Zealand, Pakeha family and a Maori brother and sister.This spectacular six-hour television drama cuts between life at home, Gallipoli and Egypt. The series begins in a time of optimism and hope, on the eve of war. New Zealand has one of the highest living standards in the world, is part of the mighty British Empire and few can foresee the horrors soon to come.As the series - and the war - progress, the changing lives of those back home are contrasted with the experiences of New Zealand soldiers in the trenches and the lives of nurses in makeshift hospitals in Egypt. The war puts an enormous strain on existing relationships - while new ones develop.The story centres around a powerful and conflicted love story between Bea Smith, a woman ahead of her time who is nursing in Egypt alongside her lover William, a dedicated doctor. The series also explores the effect the battlefield has on Charles Smith, a lawyer turned officer, his brother Harry, the family's black sheep, and family friend Manaaki Kokiri, a preacher turned lethally effective soldier. The effects of war at home cover the grief of the bereaved, anti-German hatred, anti-conscription activism and the survival of the family's economic base, Smith's Emporium.
In 1914, Bea Smith is an opinionated medical student having an affair with the handsome Dr William Chambers. By 1915, her romance over, she is a nurse in Alexandria Hospital tending the most horrific of war wounds. When family friend Manaaki Kokiri arrives seriously wounded, Bea swings into action to save him.
Charles Smith is wounded at the Gallipoli landing and is sent to hospital. Bea finds nursing deeply frustrating and she is grateful for William's support. Awa persuades Mannaki to help her, but tragedy ensues. Harry persuades him to sign up for the big adventure and both end up at Gallipoli where we learn Manaaki has a deadly talent.
Harry clashes with Charles when he returns to Gallipoli. Cissy is competing as carnival queen and is thrilled by the attentions of Guy Featherstone who sets out to seduce her. George is bullied for being German and runs away to enlist, breaking James' heart. Manaaki and Harry go 'over the top' with tragic results.
Bea is concerned for Manaaki and diagnoses shell shock but William doesn't agree. Richard has a business opportunity and finds an unlikely ally in Awa, who seduces him. Bertie Mueller is arrested for sedition and John blames James but it's Richard who profits. Bea is thrilled Manaaki is to be sent home a hero, and she has William to thank.
Charles is shaken by the horror and stupidity of war and entrusts Violet with a letter exposing the truth. Meanwhile, returned war hero Manaaki is questioned in relation to murder.
Finale: As rumours of a Gallipoli evacuation spread, Charles, Manaaki and Bea start making plans for the future. Meanwhile back home, Awa and Cissy find their circumstances are changed forever.
Complete episode guide for When We Go to War with detailed information about every season and episode including air dates, summaries, ratings, and streaming availability in United States.
This episode guide is organized by seasons, making it easy to track your viewing progress or find specific episodes. Use the episode information to plan your binge-watching sessions or catch up on missed episodes.