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[Tique]

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Epilog

[Pearlee]

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@Oznell wrote:

That's a good 'bottom line' point, about what Gerard had to learn in this episode, @chloe4578 --  I'm understanding a little more about why some of you like the episode better than I do, or at least, don't dislike it as much as I!

How interesting that you mention "The Beverly Hillbillies--  I was thinking of them in relation to this episode too!   The difference, I concluded, was that even with the Bev. Hillbillies, they were shown in all their variety.  A few were quite shrewd in their own way-- "Jed",  and even "Granny" too.  Among their extended family were some interesting characters, some benign, some not-- but there was at least variety in their humanity.

Having the Fugitive DVD's,  over time we did notice that, for whatever reason, the rural characters were often caricatures, sometimes a whole community, craven or looney or both,  etc.  I wouldn't have noticed just a one-off, but there did seem to be a bit of a pattern.  Not to belabor the point, but it seems to me now to be one small weak factor in what I consider to be one of the best series ever on American TV...

I wonder what it is about Bruce Dern that he seemed to gravitate toward wild, fringey characters right from the start of his career--  they fit him like a glove, and you can almost feel the enjoyment he has in creating them, the more flamboyant, the better!

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@Oznell  I think Dern's offbeat (and I'm being kind) looks lend themselves to those kinds of roles, the toothiness, wild eyes and hair, swarthy looks in the earlier days of his career. He wasn't going to get Redford roles. Rather I could see him competing with Nicholson for the lead in The Shining! 😱

[Tique]

I enjoyed this week's episode more than last week's. I didn't get the caricature feel from the characters that some mentioned. I thought about The Darlings who used to appear on The Andy Griffith show occasionally. The families who have segregated themselves from the "normal" population live in an alternate society with their own rules and a totally different style of living.

I think Gerard did learn something but like @chloe4578  said being able to admit there was a possibility Kimble could have been telling the truth or even thanking him for intervening on his behalf was just not something Gerard could do. A character flaw.

If there had been another way for Gerard to get a new pistol he would have. It almost killed him to have to get that requisition signed by Capt Carpenter to get a replacement.

A bit of Trivia: This was the last episode that Paul Birch played Capt Carpenter.

[Oznell]

Ha, ha, too true, @Pearlee ,  he would have been even more scary than Nicholson too, I imagine...

@Tique,  I'm glad someone besides me noting that little "comedown" for Gerard over the loss of the pistol--  that had have caused him much chagrin, but good for his character...    Too bad about Capt. Carpenter exiting the series--  he could at least represent a down-to-earth "reality" principle for Gerard...

[Pearlee]

@Tique. I'm glad you posted the Keep Out This Means You sign photo because I meant to comment that it reminded me immediately of the sign in the Wizard of Oz when the characters entered the woods to find the witch's castle: I'd Turn Back If I Were You!

Just to clarify, I agree with you that I don't think the hill people were charicatures nor was the sheriff.  I didn't like the music when they first appeared that mocked them (which helped portray them as charicatures).  @Oznell  thought they were but I'm not sure who else you meant.

[Tique]

This week's memorable exchange took place between Kimble and Gerard.

All the men who were standing guard over Gerard left at Kimble's request. The only one who remained with Gerard was Kimble.

“I uh I think Tully believes this is fair."

"They're gonna lynch me. That's murder."

"Well in our world yes, but this isn't our world. What happened Gerard?"

“I went after my car. I found the girl...and I saw a man.“

“But you can't prove it...Well is there anything else? I think I can still make Tully listen. “

Gerard shook his head. "There's nothing else." Gerard stopped and looked at Kimble. "There's...nothing I can prove."

Kimble bowed his head and when he looked up there was the beginning of a slight smile that never went further. “And the girl says you're to blame."

Gerard nodded.

"Pretty convincing." Kimble walked out and back into Elvie's bedroom.