Silliphant's quite dated story material kept me from becoming interested in this episode, set on a chicken farm in rural Pennsylvania. There's one fine scene at the end of the show, but nothing gripping before it.
All the guest talent comprises a family headed by matriarch Beulah Bondi, who delivers a solid performance. The point is that they are a rigid, religious brood, typified by Pat Hingle, stiff as a board in an unplayable role, spouting bible quotations and about as likable as a dead tree. M & M are working in a sort of chicken factory, and their contribution to the episode is rather pointless, as shown in a scene where Maharis' guaranteed weekly fight scene consists of him punching Hingle in the tummy, cueing some turgid pathos by Pat.
Inger Stevens as an unwanted daughter-in-law shunned by most of the family when she shows up after her husband's death bearing a surprise bambino (Bondi's grandson) in her arms, does get a fine confrontation scene with BB at the climax.
Briefly impressive and empathetic as Hingle's young sister, Ann Dee is an unknown and actress, who wound up her unsuccessful career making a couple of softcore porn movies a decade later (one of which I reviewed, "Diamond Stud"), just before hardcore porn took over.
All the guest talent comprises a family headed by matriarch Beulah Bondi, who delivers a solid performance. The point is that they are a rigid, religious brood, typified by Pat Hingle, stiff as a board in an unplayable role, spouting bible quotations and about as likable as a dead tree. M & M are working in a sort of chicken factory, and their contribution to the episode is rather pointless, as shown in a scene where Maharis' guaranteed weekly fight scene consists of him punching Hingle in the tummy, cueing some turgid pathos by Pat.
Inger Stevens as an unwanted daughter-in-law shunned by most of the family when she shows up after her husband's death bearing a surprise bambino (Bondi's grandson) in her arms, does get a fine confrontation scene with BB at the climax.
Briefly impressive and empathetic as Hingle's young sister, Ann Dee is an unknown and actress, who wound up her unsuccessful career making a couple of softcore porn movies a decade later (one of which I reviewed, "Diamond Stud"), just before hardcore porn took over.