As a long-time Jim Corbett fan I love this episode. The "Summoning Tigers" curse may be a complete fiction but the fact that incompetent big game hunters have been known to turn a "normal" Tiger into a Man-Eater is well established. Ellsworth, as the epitome of the bigoted, arrogant (and essentially cowardly) would-be "Shikar" is precisely the sort of man who might inflict such a demon on a remote and hapless village. (The fact that he is apparently a "dirty old man" as well damns him even further, leading Paladin to double his customary Fee.)
It's a treat to see Paladin demonstrate his considerable knowledge of Tigers and of India and her People, while being courteous and respectful (as always) toward Minorities --and not at all kindly disposed to those who aren't!
The ending is superbly ironic. The "curse" finally bears its grim fruit, though not exactly in the way we, or Ellsworth, might have expected. Jim Corbett himself would have heartily applauded this episode! .
It's a treat to see Paladin demonstrate his considerable knowledge of Tigers and of India and her People, while being courteous and respectful (as always) toward Minorities --and not at all kindly disposed to those who aren't!
The ending is superbly ironic. The "curse" finally bears its grim fruit, though not exactly in the way we, or Ellsworth, might have expected. Jim Corbett himself would have heartily applauded this episode! .
