This episode has Paladin at the Little Big Horn around the time of the defeat of the 7th Cav. Don't fault this one for the graphic effects, this is not a big budget movie. Even with the problems associated with episode I still found it to be a good story, with several moral messages. Strange watching this now, and having been drafted, and lived through the chaos of the sixties, and all the guys going to Canada. I wonder how they all feel these days. This is something that is overlooked about these old westerns, They were morality plays, and lot could be learned from them. They can be excused a little poetic license, God knows they take a lot of license these with some of the garbage that passes for a story line on TV. Especially these ripper from the headline ideas that the Law&Order story mills are turning out. It like they never had an original idea in their life.
2 Reviews
Manages Some Impact
dougdoepke24 April 2010
Above average episode. Paladin is hired by army mother to return her deserter son to authorities before he's caught and executed.
Good location shots in early sequence look more like Arizona red rocks than familiar LA scrublands. Script does smooth job weaving personal story of deserter into larger historical frame. Anyone familiar with the significance of the wounded horse "Comanche", however, can likely guess the story's upshot.
Camaraderie between old friends Sgt. Barski (Barcroft) and Paladin also seems genuine. Not surprising since Barcroft was one of Hollywood's most prolific stuntmen-supporting players (check out his credits). I expect the Sam Dolan subplot was added to fill out the time and provide a showdown. Anyway, Anderson does well as the grim-faced Dolan, though I don't think we catch what exactly his beef is with the deserter.
The final scene makes good, fitting use of Paladin as the odd literary gunman, managing some emotional impact at the same time. Well done 30 minutes.
Good location shots in early sequence look more like Arizona red rocks than familiar LA scrublands. Script does smooth job weaving personal story of deserter into larger historical frame. Anyone familiar with the significance of the wounded horse "Comanche", however, can likely guess the story's upshot.
Camaraderie between old friends Sgt. Barski (Barcroft) and Paladin also seems genuine. Not surprising since Barcroft was one of Hollywood's most prolific stuntmen-supporting players (check out his credits). I expect the Sam Dolan subplot was added to fill out the time and provide a showdown. Anyway, Anderson does well as the grim-faced Dolan, though I don't think we catch what exactly his beef is with the deserter.
The final scene makes good, fitting use of Paladin as the odd literary gunman, managing some emotional impact at the same time. Well done 30 minutes.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
