User Reviews

For a strange reason this episode has a special place in my heart. Although I have read the review about it being full of gaps I can still elaborate on why it worked for me and what specifics make it true to being a western. First off- The scene with the uncle spewing over his regrets was a great homage to alcoholics. It did continue scattered with low momentum for whatever reason but so is the state of Trampas.....So I'd say it works to build the story. A situation does build and these random characters (Trampas, selfish Australian, drunk doctor, and aspiring wife) are all brought together and through-out the episode do not brake their strange chemistry with each other.

There was some plot twists but more so some plot-turns that were subtle yet believable. The plot- turns were devices set through dialogue that enhanced the stakes and struggles and there was brilliantly a lot of them AND they were believable. An undertone for Trampas was a constant questioning of his mindset on getting revenge, especially as circumstances change. The reality of trust and killing was completely there, this episode didn't feel like a usual shoot and kill western. There was a build of suspense and specificity to each killing that made it all that much more of a true-western. Each character wanted something and showed that they knew where they were at- they all had an ark and fought hard and heavy for what they wanted.

The last fight scene was weak because those natives would've never stopped shooting at men with guns.

Never the less this episode sparked something in me and the ending of this episode ended on a perfect note showing two american men lost in their own western karma.

Doug McClure still on some kind of extended holiday from Shiloh ranch runs into his uncle Harry Shannon who's pretty much lived the alcoholic life. When McClure gives him some money to deposit at the express office he arrives just in time to interrupt a holdup and gets robbed and killed for his trouble. Now you know McClure is not going back to Shiloh until that's settled.

This Virginian story is famous for having both Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley in the cast. Nimoy before he played Mr. Spock played all kinds of villainous types of the punk variety and there's no exception here. Kelley is a cavalry doctor, but hardly any model for Dr. Leonard McCoy because he's mostly drunk for the first half of the show. Nimoy is killed and Kelley spends time with McClure and a few others in Indian country looking for a secret mine that is by treaty the Apaches since it is on their land. McClure's quarry is there one of the seekers of fortune.

There are some real gaps in the story because too much footage was shot on this episode and it had to be cut and rather clumsily. Watching this you will have to fill in the gaps yourself.

Trampas just sold the ranch his dad bought in S02E01 and he's sitting in the saloon with his alcoholic uncle trying to decide whether to gamble it like his dad would have or save it for something good. Uncle says he and his brother were not good examples, says Trampas could be a good name, that Trampas should get out of the saloon and get a ranch, be happy in his old age, dont look back on empty bottles like he's had to do- it's a great start to what promises to be another warm and interesting Trampas story... Nope, let's have none of that- they kill the uncle and send Trampas out for revenge. Is it a revenge story then? No-no, none of that either, Trampas kills nobody for revenge.

There's some fellows out digging for gold, is this a story about gold fever and striking it rich? Yeah, no, guess again.

Kinda sappy, but there's a lady out looking for her husband, maybe this is going to be a happily ever after love story. No, thank goodness, none of that syrupy ick.

Okay, what then? There's a doctor on an army base with a drinking problem and a sick patient, so obviously no happy outcome...hello, that's what they write about- no wonder- it's probably close to home and by this time, also close to the end of the show.

Trampas, healthy and unhurt throughout all the plot changes, emerges at the end as someone weak and in need of rescue- as if- and the reason for his journey is obscured because the rest of it was obscure.

There's plenty of action with no direction and no real purpose. Half-heartedly recommended.