Reviews

This episode was very hard to watch. It was very much about the difficult decisions all parents have to make and how they're sometimes wrong. The mother of the Fragile X boy clearly loves her son. Even the most devoted of parents needs a break sometimes.

Taking care of a special needs child is an unremitting task with relentless responsibilities. Nicole desperately needed a break, so much so that she perhaps deliberately injured herself? It was unclear but it seemed to be a possibility.

Kitty's parents were tasked with the responsibility of taking a decision on behalf of their daughter which would estrange them forever. They were willing to make the hard choices for the sake of preserving her life even though it mean they might lose her love and company. This is the hard part of parenting.

At least Shaun had one good foster carer when he was a child. Bill was kind and she was understanding of Shaun's differences. She was laconic but brutally honest. That works well with autistic people. Don't lie to us, we don't cope with lying.

Then there's Dr Glassman. His decisions were the worst ones of all. His is the greatest failure of parenthood and hindsight is always 20/20. Revisiting that is always painful. Maddie didn't make it to adulthood. Dr Glassman failed parenting.

So Nicole got her break, Shaun used what he learned from Bill to help a patient and Dr Glassman achieved a type of closure. Kitty may or may not be able to climb in future, time will tell. What we do know is that parenting isn't for sissies, it never stops and although there are no coffee breaks or vacations, sometimes you do need to take a day off. RIP, Sybil.

It's a complete investigation from square one of the assassination of JFK using every piece of evidence available from that dreadful day. They analyzed the gun, the bullets and the crime scene.

The Kennedy assassination is an extremely complicated case that has required decades of scientific development to solve. None of the conspiracy theories take into account shooting reconstruction or science. That's all based on speculation and imagination.

These NOVA scientists created a audio map of Dealey Plaza using laser technology. A reproduction of the two shots that hit President Kennedy and the Governor showed the damage that was done to the two men. The bullet trajectories lined up perfectly from the Texas School Book Depository window where Oswald built his sniper's nest. Conclusion? Oswald acted alone.

This documentary investigation also takes into account all the anomalies in the physical evidence. They're all explained.

As far as the conspiracy theories, they're up to you. you.

This film has an interesting background. It's the first filmed in Israel that was meant to be set elsewhere; i.e. the American West. Richard Boone was hoping to help the infant Israeli film industry with its birthing pains.

Each day of filming was beset with financial woes. At the end of every day Richard Boone, who was involved with production, had a meeting with the financiers. Somehow they managed to find enough money to complete the film. It holds together.

The script wasn't that great but Leslie Caron and Boone gave their best performances. The romance between the nun and the gunslinger made sense within the context of the story. It was refreshing to see Boone play a not-so-bad guy once more. The death of the hero rather than the heroine makes for an unexpected and poignant ending.

A word: Use caution if you're disturbed by graphic violence. In the theater version a man was emasculated in graphic and bloody detail. This scene has been edited from most versions of the film.

If you get a chance to see MADRON, don't pass it by. It's worthwhile for Richard Boone and Leslie Caron. They were brilliant.

Fascinating four character drama about a husband and wife and his temptation by an exotic creature who drifts into their tiny social circle. Katy (Bethel Leslie) is dependent upon Jim (Richard Boone) for her daily care and companionship and it's clear she is not a burden to her loving husband.

Jim and Katy Hensel live in the California desert for her health, so far off the grid they have no electricity. This radical lifestyle change was made for Katy's health. Specific reasons for Katy's illness aren't given. Were we to speculate at this point from her symptoms and the move they made to the dry desert and her mobility problems, she would seem to suffer from a combination of asthma and some form of Multiple Sclerosis.

Conversations make it clear that both Katy and Jim miss aspects of their lives left behind them, but only Jim has the ability to pursue his longing for what's been lost by their move to the desert. The object of Jim's desire, Florinda Kirty (Laura Devon), perfectly portrays a flighty young woman who may or may not be of light moral character.

Jim's life is further burdened by the presence of an old war buddy, Sailor (Henry Morgan), his driver from the Pacific theater. Sailor is a great admirer of Katy and Jim's relationship and feels greatly betrayed by Jim's attraction to Florinda.

Boone rates an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10 for this one. He's magnificent in the reading of the letter at the end.

An incredibly complicated plot requires one's full attention to comprehend this amazing film . It's full of human beings with all their human failings: greed, lust, terror, regret, rage and evil. The plot is thick with significant elements.

It's possible this film was too innovative for its time. The dialogue was unusual: the actor begins in Russian is dubbed over in their own voice into English. The finger-snapping code of the agents is peculiar and jarring. The sole gadget in the entire film is a listening device in a curtain rail. The photographic style also has a flavour of documentary style, and lacks glamour in its gritty style.

One imagines this as a realistic portrayal of post WWII espionage: less dependence on technology, and more on people. It took three viewings before the connections became apparent to this viewer. It's possible that unsophisticated 1970 audiences expecting another Jame Bond flick were unprepared for such a brilliant tour de force.

The film is worth watching for the dynamic performance from Richard Boone alone. He never puts a foot wrong as the folksy mentor of the new spy. The post WWII generation breaking in a new spy is hyper-realistic. Only the extreme torture is left to the imagination. It's no wonder the audience of 1970 was unable to take in this brilliant film. See it now for its star-studded performances. Richard Boone's acting, as always, is a treat in store. He never disappoints.

There's a pervasive homosexual undertone for many of the main characters. It is certainly there for the discerning viewer. This, too, could have had an effect on audiences and critics of 41 years ago when homophobia was omnipresent. This may be the sole role in his life in which Richard Boone portrayed a homosexual. Watch for the subtle hint in the distribution of the two-bedroom apartment's sleeping arrangements.

As time travel is yet impossible, this film was not based on the book, Fire, written by George R Stewart, as claimed by another reviewer. Since that book was published February 1, 1984, 3 years after Richard Boone's death from oral cancer, it would have been impossible to have filmed this book. The film was shot in 1952, long before the book was published.

The F/X are amazing for their time. There's no CGI and the flames are from burning trees and forest. It's remarkable no one was killed making this film. One wonders how much acreage was consumed during filming.

At the time it wasn't known that controlled fire was a healthy part of forest growth and management. Times have changed. All the Smokey Bear campaigns preventing forest fires caused a buildup of materials on forest floors and when forest fires occurred they were hotter and too destructive for the forests to survive.

The actors are better than the plot.

A fascinating forensic mystery to solve, some women's suffrage issues and a convicted bank robber keep Hec on his toes. This time the pretty lady isn't interested in Hec but her actions irritate and annoy him greatly. Sheree North and Richard Boone have great chemistry and it's a joy to watch them on screen.

The denizens of the town of New Prospect are introduced to ice cream and their varied reactions are a treat. The local production of ice cream gives Hec a hint which helps him solve the murder. Although Hec Ramsey came first, this plot reminds one of House, M.D.

Red herrings are liberally strewn through the plot and make things uber interesting. As usual, the Police Department of New Prospect seems to operate in spite of town politics. We learn that Hec's monthly salary is $100 plus minor expense money. In spite of this, he is an honest cop. A bribery attempt fails.

Who in Hollywood today would be audacious enough to handle a live fanged venom-bearing rattlesnake? Richard Boone was an great actor and a brave man. Here he walks up to a venomous snake, a living rattlesnake hanging from a tree, grasps it in his bare hands and holds it over his head for the next two scenes. No living actor today would perform this heroic feat.

Another reviewer has already analysed the beefcake aspects of the episode. There's little to add except to be very grateful to Gene Roddenberry for the scene. Beefcake is always to be appreciated. This is one of only two occasions when he appeared shirtless in this series.

Paladin's horse comes to the rescue to get him out of this trouble. This is completely out of character for this Western hero. We never learn the name of any of Paladin's horses, which is right for his character. Paladin's the focus of every episode, not the horse he rides. According to the book, SILENT HOOFBEATS, this well-trained particular mount was called Curley.

Paladin doesn't sing or play the guitar or any other Western clichés. He rarely uses a rope to lasso anyone or anything (episode The Kid notwithstanding), so the help from this well-trained equine is a bit over the top.

The conflict over the gold is trite, but the snake and the stakeout make this well worth viewing. It's true people are greedy and filled with gold lust. The bit about Major Wilson trying to recall Paladin's name from West Point was amusing.

Paladin's Horse: Curley, a bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.

Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs return and appear different in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: No one. He dropped Major Wilson accidentally. He doesn't count in the death toll.

Accidental Deaths: Major Wilson

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney

Total Kills by Paladin: 7

Paladin Wounded: 0

Paladin Concussed: 0

Too many stereotypes to count in this one. The skin lodges in the town, the 'firewater' the giant feather war bonnet would never be worn on a fake raid, the Englishman wearing shorts in Montana, a woman running a ranch alone who can't wait for a man to arrive and take everything over, it goes on. The war dance around the keg was over the top, and wasn't it illegal to give whiskey to Indians? Absent the stereotypes the episode could have been enjoyable.

A practical joker plays 'jokes' that are more cruel than amusing. Alix Talton (Felicia Carson) was a former Miss Georgia, but she lacks any sort of southern accent. She sounds more Midwestern twangy. Paladin's relationship with the English gentleman is the most interesting bit of this one.

Paladin's Horse: Einstein. (Bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.)

Paladin's Gear: Black Conchita hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs are back in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: No one.

Deaths: 0

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney

Total Kills by Paladin: 7

Typhoid isn't spread from person-to-person, it spreads via contaminated water from infected stools and bad septic fields. All the fears of the people in the town were completely unfounded. This discovery was made in 1854 by John Snow, but it took 30 years to be accepted and another 50-75 years for public health developments to solve the problem of clean drinking water and sewage treatment facilities. Of course this doesn't apply to Third World countries where cholera still exists and kills. Rehydration therapy solves most of the problems that come with typhoid and cholera these days.

Other reviewers have complained that Grant Withers as Mulrooney failed to provide the required menace in his part. This writer recalls clearly the demonisation of people suffering from such recent plagues as HIV and AIDS who were homosexual were considered to deserve their dreadful fate. How does Mulrooney differ from them? Withers showed quite enough menace in his role as a demagogue.

Today's headlines are full of foolish rhetoric from those who fail to keep church and state separate. Combining the two are always a bad idea. Here's why: if the two are combined, which version of church are we going to use, yours or mine? I'll fight to the death to keep the church I grew up in out of politics and the state. Possibly you feel a similar way about some other arm of organised religion. Isn't it better to keep politics and religion separated for those precise reasons? It seems clear that Mr Mulrooney had an agenda: he wanted Clara Benson for his wife. When she refused and her baby fell ill, that was enough to drive her from the wagon train society and abandon her two day's ride from the nearest settlement. That was a fate worse than death. Had not Paladin ventured by Mrs Benson and her child would have perished for sure, from lack of water if nothing else.

Richard Boone as Paladin flexes his massive acting muscles against the wrong-headed townsfolk, forcing them to see how wrong they are in their actions. One of them saves Paladin's life.

Paladin falls to a microorganism in the end, poor sod. Of course, he considers himself fortunate.

Paladin's Horse: Bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe. From now on this horse will be referred to as Einstein for reasons which will later become clear.

Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs are back in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: Mulrooney, who was going to shoot Paladin in the back Deaths: 1, Mulrooney Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney Total Kills: 7

This episode confirms Paladin's West Point background. In the opening scene, Paladin read an advertisement requesting assistance specifically targeted at his talents. He accepts the assignment and investigates a woman purported to have been a dance hall madam.

During filming of the laundry scenes there were visitors on the set. There were only 4 silver dollar props which Paladin gave to LuLu and which she dropped into her cleavage. Peggy Rea, the actress, later told the story of how she had trouble retrieving the props from her brassiere. Richard Boone helped her fish them out. The visitors were shocked and appalled by this view of Hollywood and television.

Paladin's Horse: Bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.

Paladin's Gear: Ruffled shirt with striped suit, bow tie, formal white evening suit with vest, black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt, a single shot derringer. The spurs are back in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: No one.

Deaths: 0 Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey Total Kills: 6

A jealous husband searches for the man he thinks is his dead wife's paramour. With no more evidence than the man's black clothes and colour of his horse, he detains Paladin and two others on the road. Overnight this man insists he will hang all three of them unless the guilty man confesses and submits to one of the three nooses dangling from the tree.

Paladin, an excellent judge of character, soon solves a part of the mystery. Working with the other accused gentlemen, they fight back and all becomes clear at the end.

Kent Smith gives a proper skeevy tone to the character of Louis Strome. Strome is a man who thinks his wife is another piece of property to which he holds title just as he owns his land. Women were considered legal chattel under the law as were her children. Of course to treat a woman as such was considered bad taste.

When each of the three insists he is the man beloved by the dead woman it's Emmy-worthy. Boone's especially good when he steps up to be the fall guy for the madman.

Paladin's Horse: The guilty party was described as riding a black horse, so this horse must be black. It has a white star and white socks/boots on its rear hocks.

Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western button down shirt open at the neck, black pants, black holster with Colt, a single shot derringer. The spurs are back in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: One of Strome's lackeys.

Deaths: The lackey.

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Anonymous Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey Total Kills: 6

Interesting concept but perhaps overambitious for thirty minutes. Hometown boy getting out of prison and coming home to kill the sheriff who married his girl. Paladin is indebted to the sheriff, so he comes to help the sheriff make his stand.

Richard Boone and his stunt double, Hal Needham, were not the same size. In the opening scenes Boone and Needham stand side by side and this is very apparent. Needham hits it perfectly as young drifter Dink Turner. He studied acting under Boone for three years during the run of HGWT.

Bing Russell as the sheriff turns in the only performance that doesn't ring true. Sheriff Reagan seems more slow-witted than cowardly. The actor was better known as owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club. He's also Kurt Russell's father. Notice the resemblance?

Judi Meredith is a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Her characterisation of Monica is completely believable. Monica's qualities of bravery and forthrightness are rare in women of HGWT.

Veteran character actor Ned Glass makes his second of three appearances as Bernard, a poker player who tries to cheat Paladin by dumping 50 outdated rifles on him for a wager. Paladin finds a use for them and gets a payday for his trouble. When Paladin's up against the corral he faces the firing squad with great presence of mind and courage.

No women appear in this episode. It's very much as the West must have been in places at the time: dry and dusty with women thin on the ground.

Paladin's Horse: Buckboard drawn by two horses, a borrowed horse belonging to Valdez with wide white face blaze and white stockings on front legs

Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western button down shirt, black pants, black holster with Colt

Paladin Shoots: Martin's minion Russ in shoulder and another unnamed minion

Deaths: No one dies

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Anonymous Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas

Total Kills: 5

Lovely Dr Phyllis Thackery (June Lockhart) is called in to look after a ranch cook who is down with smallpox. She realises force will be required to control those who've been exposed and wires for Paladin. He immediately comes to her aid.

When the cowboys show up and hear the news they're ready to stampede. At the time enlightened physicians knew that vaccination was a certain prevention against smallpox Unfortunately there was a great deal of fear, superstition and wrong information in the common populace.

Paladin sees the real truth in the relationship between the father and son who run the ranch and he doesn't hold back. There's a lot of confrontation and Paladin is quite the enforcer.

Boone acts the gamut from love to blind rage. It's believable that Paladin was beating Fred the Foreman to death. No one did scary quite like Richard Boone. He could do regular guy in a fury or bad guy or homicidal maniac better than any other actor of his generation. Be sure to appreciate him emoting.

Best Quote: 'No, I've been explaining why I haven't proposed,' Paladin to Dr Thackeray, when she asks him if he is proposing to her.

This review is written out of order therefore no stats are listed.

Strother Martin is brilliant as Dewey Delaware, circus performer down on his luck. Great to see both actors who played the role of Paladin in a single episode: John Dehner (Ben Marquette) was first choice but wasn't free to take the role so Richard Boone stepped in. John Dehner took on the radio role for the two years HGWT was on the airwaves. This gets a 9 because both actors appear on screen.

Another treat is Buddy Baer in the role of Bolo, Marquette's large minion. At 6'7" Buddy is little brother to Max Baer and Uncle to Max Baer, Jr. They grew them big in that family.

Paladin attempts to help a man who has lost his nerve and confidence regain it. Someone certainly walked a rope stretched across Salamander Canyon in this episode but it wasn't Strother Martin.

Paladin's Horse: Stagecoach

Paladin's Gear: Black hat with concha trim, black Western button down shirt, black pants, black holster with colt, single shot derringer, decorated Western saddle.

Paladin Shoots: no one

Paladin Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas

Total Kills: 5

Hey Boy seems to be attempting to discover Paladin's business and employment. Has Paladin removed into the Carlton recently?

Things are not quite as they seem when Paladin is asked to accompany a body across the border. Interestingly, the stagecoach driver Timmons does most of the shooting when the border bandits attack. It isn't until after Timmons is killed that Paladin begins to return fire.

Paladin's Horse: Stagecoach and 4

Paladin's Gear: Tuxedo with ruffled shirt, concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, black pants, black holster with colt, single shot derringer, decorated Western saddle...the spurs have been abandoned along with the necktie.

Paladin Shoots: at Mexican border bandits, Miguel Rojas

Paladin Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas

Total Kills: 5

It's great to see Paladin's curmudgeonly side when he realises he must disembark from the stage to look after a stubborn woman who insists in stranding herself in the middle of the desert. Christie Smith claims to be plain but actor Marian Seldes is far too beautiful to be considered in any way unattractive. The stubborn woman turns out to be a mail order bride and Paladin must see her safely to the ranch of her intended husband. The remainder of the story deals with the solution to the mystery of his failure to meet Ms Smith at the appointed place and time.

Why didn't Paladin step on the tarantula? Why did he have to use the firewood log? Are tarantulas terribly difficult to squash?

Marian Seldes was on the faculty of Julliard from 1967 to 1991. Her students included Laura Linney, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone and Kevin Spacey. She studied dance under Martha Graham. One wonders if she was a student at the same time as Richard Boone, who also studied under Martha Graham. Boone liked to use up-and-coming new talent as guest stars in HGWT. A review of the list of guest stars indicates Boone had an eye for talent.

Paladin's Horse: Bay with crooked blaze and front white stockings on both legs

Gear: Concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, white tie, black pants, black holster with colt, decorated Western saddle...the spurs have been abandoned.

Shoots: Johnny Dart (Mike Connors) in the shoulder

Kills: No one dies in this episode

Total Kills: 4

Platinum wasn't generally available for the use or production of jewelry until the very end of the 19th Century. Even then it was a metal used for Kings and Emperors. Either Paladin had amazing taste or the writer had no clue about the history of platinum. Let us blame it on the writer.

There's a rare scene inside a train carriage, although Paladin must have traveled often by train to arrive at his destinations so quickly. Stagecoach is his usual manner of transport after the horse.

Paladin's paid by the defendant to make certain he isn't lynched before coming to trial. He carries a mysterious bag throughout containing 'the tools of his trade.' Paladin uses many different and unusual tools.

Paladin's Horse: None

Paladin's Gear: Concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, white tie, black pants, black holster with colt, derringer, 'tools of his trade'...no spurs.

Paladin Shoots: At Billy Joe Kane and posse, McNally, Jailbreak Team 3

Forgot To Duck:

Paladin Disarmed: 2

Paladin Shoots: 3 men

Paladin Kills: 3, the jailbreak team

Total Accumulated Kills: 4

This one begins with dude-dressed Paladin disembarking from a stagecoach in a town where two men are fighting in the dirt. We learn the man being beaten is an Indian, Joseph Whitehorse. His horse has been shot and killed by Joe Peavy. Paladin bumps past Mr Whitehorse and slips his business card into the man's vest.

Paladin befriends Mr Whitehorse as he's cleaning up at a spring. Paladin offers him a ride on his spare mount. Mr and Mrs Whitehorse's cattle are dying. Why? Paladin solves the mystery with science and cleverly arranges to have his fee paid.

The true focus of this tale is bigotry and hatred. The evil rancher is McNally who hates every Indian he sees because his father and brother were murdered by the Sioux 25 years previously. Mr Whitehorse and his wife are Cherokee and have nothing to do with McNally or his tragic past. Nevertheless, he still blames every Indian he meets for what happened so long ago.

Paladin's Horse: Dappled with a straight white blaze and white stockings on all legs. Since he came into town on the stage, it must be a rental.

Paladin's Gear: Concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, white tie, black pants, black holster with colt, derringer, regular Western saddle...no spurs.

Paladin Shoots: At Billy Joe Kane and his posse, McNally

Forgot To Duck: Shoulder hit by Holt

Paladin Shoots: Holt

Paladin Kills: No one in this episode

Total Accumulated Kills: 1

Paladin Disarmed: 2

Gene Roddenberry penned this amusing romp.

A water baron sells precious H20 for $1 per gallon to the denizens of the Mojave desert. Paladin decides this is heinous and solicits the townspeople to employ his services to reclaim their water rights. Paladin bets $5,000 cash against the water rights on himself to win in the race across the Mojave Desert.

Look for Claude Akins as a henchman for the water baron.

Paladin's Horse: A camel, Ezekiel

Paladin's Gear: Concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, white tie, black pants, black holster with colt, derringer, regular Western saddle...the spurs have been abandoned. The necktie comes off, too.

Paladin Shoots: At Billy Joe Kane, Water Baron, and his posse

Forgot To Duck: Shoulder hit by Holt

Paladin Shoots: Holt

Paladin Kills: No one in this episode

Paladin Disarmed: 2

Accumulated Kills: 1

Total Kills: 1

Today's more sophisticated audiences may find the ending is telegraphed, but this one was unusual for its time. The question Paladin asks is 'what's the difference between justice and murder?' We learn that Paladin is a complex character rather than a shoot 'em, plant 'em gunslinger.

Paladin shows great compassion and humanity in granting the last wish of killer Manfred Holt (Bronson). But can a man change his nature?

In an interview in the book, Richard Boone: A Knight Without Armor In A Savage Land, Peggy Stewart (Sarah Holt) remembers that Bronson spoke more words to her in character than he did in person. In later years Stewart was formally introduced to Bronson by her husband and Bronson said 'hello' to her at last.

The gunfight between the two men is beautifully filmed. The timing is set for them to draw weapons when a drop of water falls from the water pump. The camera angle frames them

Wouldn't a gunfight would have been better arranged without the horses in the background, liable to be struck by stray bullets?

Paladin's Horse: Bay with crooked white blaze and two front white stockings (Curley), playing the part of Rafter

Paladin's Gear: Concha black hat, black Western button down shirt, white tie, black pants, black holster with colt, spurs, regular Western saddle

Forgot To Duck: Shot in the shoulder by Holt

Paladin Shoots: Holt

Paladin Kills: 1

Paladin Disarmed: 2

In Spanish Perdido means lost...Three bells to lost is a poignant title.

Jack Lord, Janice Rule and Richard Boone appear in the pilot episode of Have Gun - Will Travel. The pacing of the episode is different from the rest of the series, as is often the case with pilots. It takes a while for actors to hit their stride with their character.

Boone's Paladin costume at this point includes a white necktie and spurs. These disappeared sometime during or after the first season. Paladin was one of the first characters who wore a black hat and drank alcohol who fought on the side of good. Perhaps the necktie was meant to be a clue to Paladin's good character to unsophisticated audiences of the time when the series aired. According to the biography, Richard Boone: A Knight Without Armor In A Savage Land, it had a red pin in it that cut Boone's face when he was riding a horse at a gallop. Boone gave the pin to Johnny Western who later affixed it to his guitar.

A great introduction to the character of Paladin, he finds a client via newspaper article and sends that iconic card. Paladin shows up at Reed's ranch to learn that it wasn't Jesse Reed, Nancy's father who sent for help but Jesse's friend Gotch. This plot point will be repeated on occasion. Paladin's full of confidence that he can retrieve the back-shooting son-in-law to stand trial. How he manages to do this is quite interesting and worth watching.

We learn tidbits about Paladin's past in this introduction: he was in the Army, he went to West Point and there was fine bone china in his home when he was a boy. These dribs and drabs are all we get as the series goes on. We never learn Paladin's true name.

In the fight on the veranda it's easy to see Boone slamming the stunt man face-first into the wall rather than Lord. Too bad. When televisions were all less than 20 inches across no one could see the subterfuge.

Jack Lord and Richard Boone were good friends. Fascinating to see Boone as the hero and Lord as a villain in this episode. Boone was first asked to play the part Lord took in Hawaii Five-O. Boone was also instrumental in persuading Hollywood to shoot that series in Hawaii rather than doing location shoots in Hawaii and studio work in Hollywood.

Paladin's Horse: Dappled grey

Paladin's Gear: White necktie, black Western front buttoned shirt, concha hat, spurs, plain saddle, black colt pistol, two-shot derringer, black pants, black boots; no rifle

Paladin Disarmed: Twice. The first time he immediately retrieved the weapon from his client using his backup derringer. The second occasion he helped himself to Dave Enderby's weapon.

Forgot To Duck: 0

Paladin Shoots: 0

Paladin Kills: 0

. HopperA fascinating relationship develops between Paladin and the outlaw while returning him for justice. Harry Morgan returns, this time as Sheriff Ernie Backwater. Harry Morgan looks exactly the same no matter what he appears in or when it was shot.

Paladin needs a holiday from the posh Hotel Carlton and busy crowded San Francisco. A note from Sheriff Backwater invites Paladin to join him in the mountains for fishing, hunting and general guy-type outdoor fun. This turns out to be a ruse. Paladin goes on an extended chase after an outlaw who turns out not so bad after all. Or not. A change is as good as a rest, they say.

Rare in this episode is a nod toward the slow recovery there would be from a gunshot injury. Two weeks later Paladin still can't raise the arm of his wounded shoulder. As true wounds usually come with nerve damage, it's nice to see pain and stiffness after a gun battle.

There are important philosophical questions raised: what would you be tempted to do in the position of the outlaw? Richard Boone flexes his massive acting muscles: no word is spoken but Paladin's complicated feelings toward Tyree are clearly communicated on screen. Interesting direction by Jerry Hopper. Hopper later directed Boone in the debacle the film debacle of 'Madron.'

A question remains: was a tiny part of Tyree's motivation at the end suicide by gunfighter?

This episode opened in the usual manner at the Hotel Carlton. Paladin needed only travel to another location and identify a suspect to connect him with a crime in order to collect a $2500 reward. Presumably this went off without a hitch until the return journey, when a puma (mountain lion) decided Paladin was on its dinner menu.

Pay attention to the horses. The use of stock footage never fails to amuse. There were three different mounts in the scenes leading up to Paladin's abandonment in the desert: a horse with one rear white leg, one with two white legs, and finally the horse stood by while Paladin is prone by the waterhole, had no white on its legs. In the days before colour and HD television, perhaps audiences were unable to distinguish one horse from another.

With Paladin injured two Naughty Samaritans happened upon him. Unfortunately they decided he wasn't long for the world...so short a time had Paladin, in fact, that they helped themselves to his food, weapons and horse. Riding off, they left him in the desert to die alone without offering him so much as a cool sip of water. Paladin was unable to see their faces and could only identify them by their hands, voices and boot styles.

Our Hero whispered something while his supplies were being horsejacked, but this writer was unable to read his lips in the scenes. Water? Food? Help me? I'll kill you both? Knowing Paladin, it could be any combination of these, or none.

Fortunately, the thieves had let slip their destination, and Paladin (of course) survived his ordeal in the desert. On foot and in pain, he managed to find his way to Prarie Orchard (sic) where he investigated the crime and searched for his property.

Well worth watching, it's spiced here and there with sardonic bits of humour. Watch as Paladin gets a whiff of himself as he's about to have a bathe. His 'I'm trying not to' (kill you) line is dead funny. Unfortunately, dry wit lacks wide appeal, and not everyone gets the joke.