Adventures of Brisco County Jr. 15 - A.K.A. Kansas

Plot: Brisco's on the trail of yet another of Bly's gang, Doc McCoy (Christopher Rich), and the trail leads him to. . . Dixie?! Seems Dixie and Doc used to be together, and even while McCoy's trying to steal a cannon from the Army to carry out a mission for Bly, he's trying to rekindle things with Dixie. Brisco, in what is not entirely the smartest idea he ever had, uses Dixie as a way to keep tabs on Doc while he tries to infiltratechis gang as Kansas Wily Stafford. Which is fine, until the real Kansas shows up. . .

While all this is going on, Socrates is hiding out at Bowler's very impressive home, trying to dodge a potentially crazy Ms. Avnet, who has been busted out of jail.

Does Brisco use his gun? It's a trick shot episode. He shoots 6 bottles while blindfolded, shoots another bottle by richocheting off two skillets, and disarms Doc by bouncing a shot of a plow.

Stuff Comet does: N/A

Kiss Count: 0 (19 overall). wait, zero?! In a episode with Dixie?

John Bly Spreads His Arms Dramatically Count: 0 (7 overall).

Is Pete Hutter in this Episode? No.

Pete Hutter Quote: N/A

Non-Pete Hutter Quote: Doc - 'I hate to be greedy, but I saw her first.' Brisco - 'Yeah, but she dumped you. And now she betrayed you.' Doc - 'I can forgive her for her sins. Can you?'

Brisco's Coming Things: I'd say the super-cannon might qualify.

Gang Count: 1, Doc McCoy (arrested). 7 overall. Should I be counting the Swills? I honestly didn't think they were part of Bly's gang (they seem too stupid), plus Brisco already had past history with them, but I'm kind of wondering. They'd bring it up to 11, with Phil, Bill, and Will getting arrested in "Mail Order Brides", and Gil dying in "No Man's Land".

Stuff The Orb Can Do: Transport people through time.

Other: Dixie's back for the first time since "Deep in the Heart of Dixie", which is also the last time we saw Ms. Avnet. U.S Attorney Breakstone also shows up for the first time since that episode, as he turns down Soc's request for protection from Rita's. . . attentions. Brisco uses the alias Kansas Wily Stafford for the first time since the pilot.

We get our first look inside Bowler's house, and we learn that he refers to Brisco as his 'faithful companion', an inversion of how they're partnership is represented in those dime novels the mail order brides were so fond of. It's not the last time we'll hear that phrase, but it is the last time I think Bowler gets to use it.

On the one hand, I enjoy this episode a lot. I like that it follows up on "Steel Horses", in that Juno failed to hijack the wagon carrying the Orb, so now Doc's trying to take it from the government lab in Nowhere, Nevada. Plus, the whole thing with Rita and Socrates is pretty funny, even if she is that cliche "crazy lady" character. Breakstone's reaction to Soc's claims is what sells it.

On the other hand, Dixie kind of feels like this prize Brisco and Doc are fighting over, which is a little irritating. The upside is, Dixie gets involved because she wanted to. She's not abducted, or coerced. She cares about Brisco and wants to help him, but she also loved Doc, and she's unsure whether that flame is still there. What's more, the case raises questions for her about whether Brisco actually cares about her, or if it's merely her connections to Bly's gang that he's interested in. She had an excellent quote to that effect I considered choosing for quote of the episode: 'Well I'm glad I came along, and you know why? Because I learned the truth. And the truth is, that you care more about getting Bly than anything. Certainly me.'

It really puts Brisco on the spot, makes him consider why he's doing what he's doing, how badly he needs to do it, and how much he's willing to sacrifice in the process.