Adventures of Brisco County Jr. 18 - Hard Rock

Plot: Bowler's received word from an old flame, name of Lenore (JoNell Kennedy), asking for his help. So he heads to the town of Hark Rock, faithful companion Brisco County Jr. tagging along. Once there, they find the entire town is being terrorized by Roy Hondo, who offers security services. Lenore is the last person who refuses to pay, and coincidentally, she's the only person whose business keeps getting attacked. The town's sheriff, one Aaron Viva (Gary Hudson, bearing an intentional resemblance to a certain King of Rock n' Roll), can't catch any of the bandits, so he can't prove they're doing so on orders from Hondo.

In the midst of all this trouble, a young hotshot named Whip Morgan (Jeff Phillips) arrives. He's after Hondo for killing his uncle, but he may not be good enough to carry out his ambition. Just don't try telling him that. Don't try telling him anything actually, because he's not likely to sit still long enough for it to sink in.

Does Brisco use his gun? He shot Whip's holsters off. He shot one of the lines holding up a sign so it would swing down and conk a guy. He shot another man's gun from his hand, and there was a lot of general firing in the direction of Hondo's gang.

Stuff Comet does: N/A

Kiss Count: 0, for Brisco, anyway (19 overall).

John Bly Spreads His Arms Dramatically: N/A (11.5 overall).

Is Pete Hutter In This Episode? No.

Pete Hutter Quote: N/A

Non-Pete Hutter Quote: Whip - 'He got even?' Brisco - 'No, he got justice. It lasts longer, and in the end, it feels better.'

Brisco's Coming Things: The 'walk-up window' for eateries. Viva's 'day glasses'. The 'cow pie' sandwich. Relax, it's better than it sounds.

Gang Count: 0 (8 or 12, overall).

Stuff the Orb Can Do: N/A

Other: Contrary to my use of it, nobody busts out the 'faithful companion' line in this episode. I thought the song went "Viva Las Vegas", but apparently it's "A-Viva Las Vegas"? Which would explain the sheriff being A. Viva. Little depressed I learned that from watching that Looney Tunes movie Brendan Frasier was in. I still can't figure out what Steve Martin was shooting for with his character. I find it funny they had an Elvis sheriff in a show starring Bruce Campbell, and years later Campbell would play Elvis (in Bubba Ho-Tep).

The former sheriff and current mayor of Hard Rock was named Sonny Red. I looked that up, figuring it'd be the name of Elvis' manager or something, but it's the name of an alto saxophonist. He had some success in the 1960s, but nothing related to Elvis. Elvis did have two bodyguards, brothers named Red and Sonny, so maybe that's it.

In addition to all the names U.S. Attorney Breakstone listed for Bowler in "Deep in the Heart of Dixie", we can add the one he used while serving in the Army: James Lonefeather. I still like Joe Echohawk better.

There's a lot going on in this episode, and all of it's interesting. Bowler gets to be the focus of a romantic subplot for once. He and Whip both have the opportunity to confront some painful history. For Bowler, it's a chance to make up for missed opportunities. For Whip, well, it's what he's spent half his life preparing for, if we can believe him. Bowler, in essence, is going back to his past to try and start again. Whip's been focused on the future in his constant preparation for facing Hondo. Unless we think of it as living in the past, because he can't move on from what Hondo killing his uncle. Whip's situation also puts Brisco in a mentor role, since he knows a little something about pursuing the man (or men) responsible for killing his father (Whip's uncle raised him).

I think this is the second time we've seen the Brisco crew apply police techniques (or TV show cop techniques) to get someone to talk. The Schwenke sisters played "good cop, bad cop" with that German who was in Juno Hawkins' gang ("Steel Horses"). Now we have Brisco and Bowler playing the "We'll let you go and arrest everyone else so the boss thinks you squealed, and you'll be dead. Unless you really squeal, then we'll protect you." Maybe I should have just said "coercion"? But that sounds like they used phone books, and it was nothing so guttural.

Viva can get a little tiring at times, because he's so obviously out of place, it feels silly, even for a show that heavily involves special orbs from the future that give people power. Fortunately, the next time he shows up, the cast is a little larger, so they can pick their spots with him. Also, he finds an excellent foil.