Why Mike Goes Back for Nick

Rating: Null/10 (19 May 2009)

Ultimately, Mike's decision to return to Vietnam and the Saigon den to look for his friend Nick game down to the guilt that deteriorated Mike's quality of life after his return from the war. After Nick's wedding (before the three men left for Vietnam), Nick made Mike promise to not return home from the war without him. After the two became separated during the war, Mike was forced to do exactly what he had promised not to, and he returned home without his friend. His life upon his return, however, had far less pleasure and joy than before the war, a direct result of the guilt that Mike constantly felt for leaving his friend, and the knowledge that Nick might still be alive over in Vietnam. When Mike learned that Nick had been sending Steve large amounts of cash, which he likely won playing Russian Roulette, Mike could no longer accept his life in America. He returned to Vietnam, and the den in which he believed Nick was playing Russian Roulette professionally. Unfortunately, the damage to Nick had been done, and there was no way Mike could save him from the war or his eventual death by Russian Roulette.