Continental Army court martial convict Matthew Elliot (Warren Stevens) witnesses his brother Matthew executed by Col. Richard Calloway (Gregory Morton), then escapes from the stockade with two cohorts. Coming out on Daniel's cabin, they abduct Israel and Jemima and issue Dan an ultimatum - bring Calloway to them. One more problem -Calloway once had Dan court martialed.
Loved-ones-held-hostage were ubiquitous in 1960's Westerns, but this one proves pretty engaging. 1960's villain for all seasons Stevens (alien with disintegration device Rojan on "Star Trek: The Original Series") is a menacing yet refreshing break from the usual unshaven and dirty-clad bad guys, and supporting actor specialist Morton is an urbane WASP officer who adds sufficient plot complication to make things interesting. Its their third and second overall DB appearances, respectively. But little to no backstory of why Elliot and pals are in the Army gaol.
The writers keep the action coming at a well-timed pace, with parallel dramas unfolding at the hostage site and during Dan's run, with Indian skirmishes (tribe uncertain, probably no Shawnee complaints) along the way. Dan's sidekicks are used to full effect, with Mingo as the inside man and Jericho acquiring some action chops. As her series tenure approaches its end, Jemima is looking more and more striking, though she has little assigned here except damsel-in-distress duties. Dan might have been switched into full-rage Liam Neeson mode here, but Disney still casts too long a shadow.
Although the Continental Army seems in operation here, no Revolution mentions - only likely candidate for the Army post is Fort Harmar near Marietta, Ohio, established 1785. But it's incongruous to have it within hiking distance of Boonesborough.
Continental soldier count - about eight, uniformed as Massachusetts Continentals, blue and buff. The blue and red-coated 1st American Regiment would have been more accurate.
A hostage story redux, but a well-executed one.
Loved-ones-held-hostage were ubiquitous in 1960's Westerns, but this one proves pretty engaging. 1960's villain for all seasons Stevens (alien with disintegration device Rojan on "Star Trek: The Original Series") is a menacing yet refreshing break from the usual unshaven and dirty-clad bad guys, and supporting actor specialist Morton is an urbane WASP officer who adds sufficient plot complication to make things interesting. Its their third and second overall DB appearances, respectively. But little to no backstory of why Elliot and pals are in the Army gaol.
The writers keep the action coming at a well-timed pace, with parallel dramas unfolding at the hostage site and during Dan's run, with Indian skirmishes (tribe uncertain, probably no Shawnee complaints) along the way. Dan's sidekicks are used to full effect, with Mingo as the inside man and Jericho acquiring some action chops. As her series tenure approaches its end, Jemima is looking more and more striking, though she has little assigned here except damsel-in-distress duties. Dan might have been switched into full-rage Liam Neeson mode here, but Disney still casts too long a shadow.
Although the Continental Army seems in operation here, no Revolution mentions - only likely candidate for the Army post is Fort Harmar near Marietta, Ohio, established 1785. But it's incongruous to have it within hiking distance of Boonesborough.
Continental soldier count - about eight, uniformed as Massachusetts Continentals, blue and buff. The blue and red-coated 1st American Regiment would have been more accurate.
A hostage story redux, but a well-executed one.
