2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

At the beginning of the story, we find Mark Jenkins executing a plan of his own making to trap and kill the insurgents in Afghanistan. However, the plan went a little sideways and Mark would have died without Izzy Zanella having the insight and skill to rescue him. How did this impact your impressions of both men and their relationship to each other?

This scene showed how closely they worked together and cared for each. Izzy had Mark's back and was going to make sure both of them survived.

This showed that Izzy wasn't just the joker that he seems to be in so many scenes. He is smart and brave and cares about the people he works with. He has their backs, and they have his.

I agree that this actually presented Izzy in a very good light and it helped take the edge off his often inappropriate snark.

In addition, the fact that Mark almost died is the catalyst for his wanting more out of life.

Izzy comes across as just a goofball but underneath all that joking around is someone who is loyal and highly sensitive. He was able to rescue Mark because he knew exactly what his friend would do. There’s so much more to this man that he hides behind comedy.

Lauren, that’s a great insight about Mark. He’s now looking for a more meaningful relationship. Unfortunately, he initially thought that looked like Tracy.

I always thought of Izzy as a man who used his goofy behavior to deal with the challenging missions he undertakes. His team can count on him when things get rough, and their plans take an unexpected direction. Also, he can read his teammates. He knew that Mark would do something that would put him in danger.