This story takes place way up north, 500 miles away from Dawson, near the Arctic Circle, where Sgt. Preston is visiting Ft. McPherson, the most northerly post in the territory. The year is 1998. Only one Mountie, "Fred," is at the lonely outpost. and he's concerned. He's seen no Eskimo or Indian for over a week and the area's fur trapper, a guy named "Rubert McLane," also is missing and "you can usually set your watch by him, so it's puzzling."
As we soon find out, the concern is justified. Thereis a major problem at the Hudson Bay Trading Company where McLane is in a shootout against the area Eskimos. Allegedly, some white guy has them all stirred up. McLane and his Eskimo friend "Kulo" (who says he is ashamed of people for doing this) are trying to hold out against the odds.
As in the first episode, we have a real "baddie," in this story a guy named "Bone" who wants the fur business and will kill anyone who gets in his way, including McLane.
Much of the episode is Sgt. Preston and"Kulo" tracking down Bone and McLane's whereabouts. Kulo talked, grammar-wise, exactly like "Tonto" of "Lone Ranger" fame. Oddly, "Kulo" was played an Englishman who was in his late '50s and died about five years after this episode. Also odd: this was only his second acting role. He was effective here, looking a lot more like an Eskimo than a Britisher.
Overall, this was another good story although it sure is dated, but that's part of the fun. It reminds me a lot of aforementioned "The Lone Ranger," in which the hero is very PC with people of color and never wants to hurt anyone, never opting to kill a rival but yet a staunch supporter of law and order. The episodes, at least the first two and I assume most of them, are filled with enough action and wonderful, colorful scenery, to make it worth recommending. Critics Choice did a nice restoration job on this DVD package (Season One). I wish they had English subtitles, but it's tough to get everything for the relatively-cheap price for this Season One set.
As we soon find out, the concern is justified. Thereis a major problem at the Hudson Bay Trading Company where McLane is in a shootout against the area Eskimos. Allegedly, some white guy has them all stirred up. McLane and his Eskimo friend "Kulo" (who says he is ashamed of people for doing this) are trying to hold out against the odds.
As in the first episode, we have a real "baddie," in this story a guy named "Bone" who wants the fur business and will kill anyone who gets in his way, including McLane.
Much of the episode is Sgt. Preston and"Kulo" tracking down Bone and McLane's whereabouts. Kulo talked, grammar-wise, exactly like "Tonto" of "Lone Ranger" fame. Oddly, "Kulo" was played an Englishman who was in his late '50s and died about five years after this episode. Also odd: this was only his second acting role. He was effective here, looking a lot more like an Eskimo than a Britisher.
Overall, this was another good story although it sure is dated, but that's part of the fun. It reminds me a lot of aforementioned "The Lone Ranger," in which the hero is very PC with people of color and never wants to hurt anyone, never opting to kill a rival but yet a staunch supporter of law and order. The episodes, at least the first two and I assume most of them, are filled with enough action and wonderful, colorful scenery, to make it worth recommending. Critics Choice did a nice restoration job on this DVD package (Season One). I wish they had English subtitles, but it's tough to get everything for the relatively-cheap price for this Season One set.
