Gideon (Don Pedro Colley) is out hunting and interrupts the abuse of an indentured servant Hemit Morgan (Lee Lambert) at the hands of religious fanatic Cyrus Blake (Torin Thatcher). For his trouble he is knocked out by Morgan, and Morgan is next seen staggering into Boonesborough claiming attack by Gideon. After finding Cyrus's body, rabble-rouser Enoch Blake (Thatcher again) raises a mob to go after Gideon.
Produced in 1968, this hour is an attempt by DB to stay relevant by examining a story of crime, race, and justice. Colley's character is again used to question just how much of a fair shake an African-American suspect could expect in the late 18th century, though Dan certainly comes off as naive when he suggests a fair trial can be accrued by sending Gideon east to North Carolina for trial.
Thatcher enjoyed a film career ranging from the dawn of the talkies to 1970's TV, and within network TV limitations deploys his full experience as a character actor. Lambert had a very brief run as TV guest star, but here is sympathetic as an abused servant. Cincinatus is given some extended screen time as Kentucky's most inept jail guard, easily lured from his post by Israel's trickery.
Little of historical note here, except to again recall the real Boone was an early Kentucky slaveholder and most likely interacted with few free blacks, if any. That would have been too much nuance for NBC or Fess Parker to take on, so the TV Boone is constantly portrayed as a proto-abolitionist.
In keeping with Season 5's tone, the action is more verbal than physical, and Dan seems to be saved for pivotal moments only. Israel and Little Daniel are allowed to handle guns briefly (in a more authentic frontier depiction they would have toted their own flintlocks by now), which is a first down for the kids' character development.
While this is another around-the-fort outing, the attempt by DB to be socially relevant and a tense denouement make this episode an above-average effort for the series.
Produced in 1968, this hour is an attempt by DB to stay relevant by examining a story of crime, race, and justice. Colley's character is again used to question just how much of a fair shake an African-American suspect could expect in the late 18th century, though Dan certainly comes off as naive when he suggests a fair trial can be accrued by sending Gideon east to North Carolina for trial.
Thatcher enjoyed a film career ranging from the dawn of the talkies to 1970's TV, and within network TV limitations deploys his full experience as a character actor. Lambert had a very brief run as TV guest star, but here is sympathetic as an abused servant. Cincinatus is given some extended screen time as Kentucky's most inept jail guard, easily lured from his post by Israel's trickery.
Little of historical note here, except to again recall the real Boone was an early Kentucky slaveholder and most likely interacted with few free blacks, if any. That would have been too much nuance for NBC or Fess Parker to take on, so the TV Boone is constantly portrayed as a proto-abolitionist.
In keeping with Season 5's tone, the action is more verbal than physical, and Dan seems to be saved for pivotal moments only. Israel and Little Daniel are allowed to handle guns briefly (in a more authentic frontier depiction they would have toted their own flintlocks by now), which is a first down for the kids' character development.
While this is another around-the-fort outing, the attempt by DB to be socially relevant and a tense denouement make this episode an above-average effort for the series.
