Sunday, January 22, 2012

Adventures of Brisco County Jr. 26 - High Treason, Part 1

Plot: Brisco and Bowler are placed under arrest and put on trial, accused of treason. At the trial, the story behind this is revealed from testimony by Colonel March (Terry Bradshaw, BOOOO!), Brisco, and Pete Hutter?! Yes, Pete survived a throwing star to the back.

As it turns out, Brisco and Bowler were approached by General Quarry to put together a team to rescue Jennifer Hart, daughter of a powerful newspaper publisher, from one Carlos Falco, who is constantly leading raids across the border to before fleeing back to Mexico. Which is how we get Pete, Whip Morgan, Aaron Viva, and Professor Wickwire all in the same place. Upon reaching Falco's stronghold, it's quickly apparent things aren't as they seem, but due to some communication breakdowns, they end up taking Jennifer back, only to change their minds and let her escape. They facilitate the escape by throwing TNT at approaching cavalry units. Yeah, the Army doesn't like it when you throw dynamite at them. And here we are, as it becomes readily apparent that Brisco and Bowler are pawns in a much larger plan by Quarry and Mr. Hart, with March as the ambitious, boot kissing lackey.

Despite a valiant effort by Socrates in place of the worthless Army lawyer they were assigned, the outcome is never in doubt, and the penalty for treason is to face the firing squad.

Does Brisco use his gun? No.

Stuff Comet does: Play chess.

Kiss Count: 0 (22 overall).

Is Pete Hutter in this Episode? Yes.

Pete Hutter Quote: 'I have never violated any agricultural quarantine laws.'

Non-Pete Quote: Bowler - 'Tell me that ain't Jennifer Hart with her arms around Carlos Falco?'

Coming Things: Rhinestone jackets, there's mention of an airship.

Other: Obviously we just saw Whip in the previous episode, and Pete in the one before that. We hadn't seen Viva since "Hard Rock", or Wickwire since "Steel Horses".

I don't normally mention the chapter titles, but the first one in this episode was "The Unprofessionals", playing off the movie The Professionals, with Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Woody Strode, and Robert Ryan trying to rescue Claudia Cardinale from Jack Palance and make it back across the border. I still haven't decided whether Palance played it too crazy, or not crazy enough. Things were not as they seem in that film as well.

Pete's middle name is Leviticus. His demands for his assistance have decreased since "Baby Makes Three". Now he wants a pardon and his piece back. No air screw? He's great in this episode. From his premature insults to his cellmate, to bringing his own Bible when he gives his testimony (which he sets down and nudges away with his foot eventually). Even Pete knows Wickwire is a father figure to Brisco.

The serious flaw in Brisco's plan was he never worked out an "abort" signal with Pete.

The trial is an irritating thing to watch. Intentionally, I'm sure, since it's so rigged. Their defense lawyer asks open-ended questions on cross examination. The prosecution is allowed to ask blatantly leading questions, and make long-winded, prejudicial, ass-kissing speeches during what is supposed to be cross-examination. The tribunal even threatens Brisco and Bowler with contempt of court, which is pretty funny considering they're trying them for treason and planning to shoot them.

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