Zeke is a simple man, loyal and honest with an unquestionable view of right and wrong. He is as comfortable with a child in his arms as he is with a rifle.
Throughout most of the first season, Zeke is often bare armed, covered in sweat, dirt and ashes from hard work at the firebase or being out in the bush. He is rarely seen wearing a standard helmet, but almost always wears a headband when out in the bush. (He does however, wear a helmet through most of Ep #14- Under Siege.) During the first season, he is often seen wearing a bush (boonie) hat. Throughout the series, until its end, Zeke is shown carrying a shotgun as often as he carries an M-16. When out in the bush, he always has a K-bar (knife) sheathed on his left shoulder. He is cleaned up a great deal more during second season. During the third season, whenever out in the bush on a SOG mission, he wears a tiger stripe uniform shirt with the sleeves cut out, still wearing a headband.
Zeke has a ready smile and a certain amount of mischief in his eyes and about him. (Goldman remarks to Nikki in Nowhere to Run that he thinks Zeke is in on some secret.) He is unquestionably loyal and brave, placing his men's lives above all else. Although he and Goldman do not see eye to eye upon meeting, Zeke recognizes the possibility of a good officer in the young lieutenant and with patience, brings him along as a combat officer, eventually winning the younger man's respect, trust and friendship.
Goldman would eventually become his closest and best friend. The two would work together under the most desperate of circumstances despite the differences in their rank and backgrounds.
It is only during the first season that we see Zeke try to play the harmonica. After Horn is badly wounded and sent home, the harmonica is never mentioned again in connection with this character. (Although in the beginning credits of the second and third seasons, there is a very brief shot of him in the chopper, playing.)
He is not above teasing any of his men, or the L-T, for that matter. Nor is he shy about speaking his mind. He has the unqualified loyalty of all his men as well as their respect. But it will be the men of Third Squad, and eventually Team Viking who will become closest to him along with the L-T.
Despite his ease and confidence in and out of the field, Zeke is troubled and afraid of what will become of him when he goes home. He was deeply hurt by the failed marriage to his wife, and has only seen his little girl a couple of times. He allows himself to become involved with a civilian stationed at Tan Son Nhut- Dr. Jennifer Seymour. She will become a constant in his life, even after her return to the States and his return for a fourth tour.
Despite his strength and gentle good humor, Zeke hides a core of vulnerability that few if any know about with the possible exceptions of Myron and Jennifer. Part of that vulnerability is his loyalty to his comrades. He is easily brought to tears when they are killed, belying the tough sergeant image most see in Seasons 1 and 2. (Reference Ep# 8- The Good, the Bad and the Dead, Ep# 27- Sleeping Dogs and Ep# 31- Nightmare.)
Zeke will sign on for a fourth tour after proposing to Jennifer in the States, telling Brewster he did not like unfinished business. It is clear he came back for his men, and most certainly because of the grieving and distant Myron Goldman. He will remain by Lt. Goldman's side, even in the last episode- Payback- when it becomes apparent that the war has changed. We will never know if Zeke makes it back to the States and to Jennifer.
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