User Reviews

The other reviewers rake this two-parter, and not without cause. I've appreciated Rawhide for its (usually) well-written episodes and consistent character treatment. Several of the characters have even grown a bit over the past six-plus seasons.

That said, this was clearly written as a farce, and should be enjoyed as such. Sure, Gil Favor's cynical side was comically absent, Wishbone was as gullible as Mushy, and Rowdy telling Favor that "the drovers like this railroad work"? Nope, no sale. Sure, Favor was largely out of character throughout. Yeah, he would have had time to pull on his boots, but that would have robbed us of some comedic fare. And so on.

But the drawn-out, knock-down, drag-out fight between Favor and Damon was, to me, worth the price of admission. "You just take off your shoes and fight like a man!" And so it began, with almost-friendly repartee between bare-knuckled haymakers.

But the best was saved for last. The end credits normally begin with a stock shot of a well-groomed Gil Favor riding up, looking over the herd, and commanding "Head 'em up! Move 'em out!"

This time, however, Favor rides up disheveled, minus his hat, vest, and boots (but, amazingly, with a clean shirt). His face swollen and clearly in pain, he bellows "Head 'em up!", winces, and mumbles "Oh, move 'em out..."

Comedy... not quite gold. I'd give it a silver.

When we left poor Eric Fleming everything was taken from him, even his boots. When he busts jail, he's barefoot and stays that way the rest of the story.

With only Steve Raines still loyal to him somewhat, Eric Fleming does what he has to and he does find some willing allies in some of Fritz Weaver's disgruntled workers who haven't got paid. He just has to be a bigger conman.

Fleming also makes some time to give some special payback to Barbara Eden. Doesn't get his boots back though, but he does humiliate her.

Of course in the end God's in his heaven, Eric Fleming has his drovers and his herd back and some stories to tell the grandkids should he ever settle down.