Always loved this one, especially for the message it sent comparing Johnny to the Wild Horse.
The first scene is one of my favorite watching Johnny pound those fence posts bare-chested. His father coming up to check on the job and tell Johnny he has more work.
One of the best two lines comes from Scott: "It's the best thing that's ever happened to you. and you are going to throw it all away."
The other - Johnny's last line: "A wild horse will move on."
James Stacy does a terrific acting job especially in those scenes from the time he starts to shoot the horse. He makes the decision it's worth saving - just like his life at Lancer. The scene where he takes back the watch - he basically does it with no dialogue.
Then there is our pants splitting scene - no need to ask: Boxers or Briefs? Again, no words but you can tell exactly what he is thinking when he comes upon that work site and picks up the Lancer Ranch sign.
The last scene with Murdoch telling his son that life might not be measured in a line of fencing. Lancer had a way of ending the show without tying that bow completely up. Instead of having the scene with Murdoch apologizing to Johnny for his thoughtless comments. We have a father trying to connect with his wild boy through chasing wild horses. Something Murdoch should have been able to do a long time ago when Johnny was growing up.
The above things alone make this one of my favorites. However, there were some issues that keep this from being the outstanding episode it should have been.
Here's where I have a problem. The Johnny Madrid character was not easily led. All of a sudden this friend Wes has him chasing after wild horses instead of working, leaving his new family at Lancer, and selling his father's gold watch (which he clearly did a good deal of hesitating about) all in one day.
But - I guess they had to create a reason for Johnny to leave.
Another hole in the story:
I never understood how Johnny could have worked so hard to "get done early". His father pulls him off the job before 2pm. Then he is being penalized for not getting the job done and leaving a hole in the fence. A fence that would not have been completed anyway if Johnny had not worked so hard. That part made no sense what so ever to me.
When Johnny comes back - hat in hand to talk to his father, Murdoch practically crucifies his son telling Johnny to get off his land - sending him out to be virtually ambushed. Striker already knew he'd come in the back. Murdoch didn't even tell him to go out the back - he just assumed Johnny would come in the way he came. Great story - but a whole lot of holes.
Additionally - CAWH should have been Episode #2. Blood Rock made no sense after the pilot.
The first scene is one of my favorite watching Johnny pound those fence posts bare-chested. His father coming up to check on the job and tell Johnny he has more work.
One of the best two lines comes from Scott: "It's the best thing that's ever happened to you. and you are going to throw it all away."
The other - Johnny's last line: "A wild horse will move on."
James Stacy does a terrific acting job especially in those scenes from the time he starts to shoot the horse. He makes the decision it's worth saving - just like his life at Lancer. The scene where he takes back the watch - he basically does it with no dialogue.
Then there is our pants splitting scene - no need to ask: Boxers or Briefs? Again, no words but you can tell exactly what he is thinking when he comes upon that work site and picks up the Lancer Ranch sign.
The last scene with Murdoch telling his son that life might not be measured in a line of fencing. Lancer had a way of ending the show without tying that bow completely up. Instead of having the scene with Murdoch apologizing to Johnny for his thoughtless comments. We have a father trying to connect with his wild boy through chasing wild horses. Something Murdoch should have been able to do a long time ago when Johnny was growing up.
The above things alone make this one of my favorites. However, there were some issues that keep this from being the outstanding episode it should have been.
Here's where I have a problem. The Johnny Madrid character was not easily led. All of a sudden this friend Wes has him chasing after wild horses instead of working, leaving his new family at Lancer, and selling his father's gold watch (which he clearly did a good deal of hesitating about) all in one day.
But - I guess they had to create a reason for Johnny to leave.
Another hole in the story:
I never understood how Johnny could have worked so hard to "get done early". His father pulls him off the job before 2pm. Then he is being penalized for not getting the job done and leaving a hole in the fence. A fence that would not have been completed anyway if Johnny had not worked so hard. That part made no sense what so ever to me.
When Johnny comes back - hat in hand to talk to his father, Murdoch practically crucifies his son telling Johnny to get off his land - sending him out to be virtually ambushed. Striker already knew he'd come in the back. Murdoch didn't even tell him to go out the back - he just assumed Johnny would come in the way he came. Great story - but a whole lot of holes.
Additionally - CAWH should have been Episode #2. Blood Rock made no sense after the pilot.
