In the final episode of Band of Brothers, “Points”, there’s a strong sense that Easy Company rigged the lottery for Darrell “Shifty” Powers to go home. The hit HBO series launched in 2001, delivering 10 episodes over a two and a half month span. With its endearing characters and episodes that took viewers into an immersive World War II experience, it was easy for audiences to keep coming back for more.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT From D-Day to their entry into Germany at the war’s end, Easy Company proved themselves to be a brave and determined bunch, though some soldiers got more acknowledgment than others. One Easy Company member who was heavily involved in the allied advance across Europe was Darrell “Shifty” Powers. Known mainly as Shifty throughout the entire series, audiences knew him as a sharp-shooter with a gentle, Southern demeanor.
Shortly after viewers learned that Shifty had no points, the lottery is shown taking place among the Easy Company men. In what seems like a tremendous dose of good luck, Shifty is selected to go home. However, the juxtaposition of the scene with Shifty stating that he has zero points and him subsequently winning the lottery does come off as suspicious.
Easy Company Knew Shifty's Luck Couldn't Hold Out Forever Why Shifty was chosen to be sent home might initially seem unfair to the other soldiers who did their part in fighting the Nazis. The truth of the matter is that Easy Company had a valid reason for choosing to rig the lottery in order to send Shifty home.
This invaluable contribution to the war effort on Shifty’s part was a major reason why his Easy Company partners rigged the lottery for him. It was also clear that because he had not been injured in combat and had zero points, Shifty would be sent to fight in the Pacific leg of the war. Making it through the entirety of the European campaign, on the front line, without injury, was a miraculous feat.