Maybe it turns into great drama and suspense, but the first 2 episodes consisted of way too much torture and killing of friendlies.

There is a lot of killing (mostly not friendlies), and some torture. It takes a few episodes to establish the main players and what they do. They pick up a few newbies (including a Marine helicopter pilot). Season 3 is very intense, and the plot (within the show) is not obvious (i.e. we're figuring it out as they are figuring it out). I often guess who is to blame, but not this one. I like shows I can't predict.

Cold War-esque black ops. So expect some bodies. Saldana is really great, as well as the supporting cast (like Morgan Freeman).

I'm certainly hooked. As long as they keep up this level, I'm going to keep watching. 1poorlady doesn't like violence, but she's still watching. It sucks you in, and you actually care about the main team once you "get to know them".

They weren't producing stuff like this when I was a kid. "Combat" isn't even close (for example).

I do think part of the superiority today is that shows like this aren't episodic. Each "episode" carries on from the previous in a big story arc, and that arc continues from season to season. Older shows didn't do that.