User Reviews

From January 1961, the next-to-last season of Maverick, comes this episode. I'm currently watching them commercial free on Encore Westerns. I've read much commentary concerning how the later seasons of the show suffered from the loss of creator/producer Roy Huggins as well as creative writing, but this episode stands with the best episodes from the early seasons with its great story & cast. Also, the title alone dictates this episode might stand apart from the others.

Andrew Duggan, a character actor who seemingly appeared in hundreds of westerns, dramas, action, war, you name it genre, is the guest star, & his name is in the opening credits after Jack Kelly.

This episode has Bart losing his money once again after a robbery in the street. He's found by Duggan, who's running for governor or another political office, mainly due to corruption, with the town sheriff even being bought. Not much emphasis on card playing, which I thought made it better.

After Bart is taken to Duggan's ranch, he starts working for them. This was a change of pace episode, seeing Bart work for his food, even though he was still up to usual conniving ways.

A body is then found, having been frozen for 20 years. It turns out the body has a connection to Duggan, & the other politician knows this info could cause Duggan to lose the election. Also, Duggan's family has secrets to hide.

Basically, a good dramatic episode with funny lines sprinkled here & there. Virginia Gregg, the other guest star I knew, has some great scenes, look out for the one where she sets the barn on fire. She runs out into Bart's arms, screaming & seemingly out of her mind. Very realistic scene & excellent acting.

Another scene in the beginning has Bart (Jack Kelly) realizing one of the bad politician's cronies is the one who robbed him. I enjoyed seeing Bart's sense of cowardice disappear as he let the crony know that you don't steal from Bart Maverick. You also see Bart's brilliant mind during the scenes where Duggan has an bullet still in him (he outwits the corrupt politician along with Duggan when you think about it).

There's plenty of action in this story. Although Bart initially didn't have to stay & help Duggan, I like how his sense of honor dictates that he do so, especially when he learns who Duggan is running against in the election.

Check it out; I think you'll enjoy it.