Who in Hollywood today would be audacious enough to handle a live fanged venom-bearing rattlesnake? Richard Boone was an great actor and a brave man. Here he walks up to a venomous snake, a living rattlesnake hanging from a tree, grasps it in his bare hands and holds it over his head for the next two scenes. No living actor today would perform this heroic feat.
Another reviewer has already analysed the beefcake aspects of the episode. There's little to add except to be very grateful to Gene Roddenberry for the scene. Beefcake is always to be appreciated. This is one of only two occasions when he appeared shirtless in this series.
Paladin's horse comes to the rescue to get him out of this trouble. This is completely out of character for this Western hero. We never learn the name of any of Paladin's horses, which is right for his character. Paladin's the focus of every episode, not the horse he rides. According to the book, SILENT HOOFBEATS, this well-trained particular mount was called Curley.
Paladin doesn't sing or play the guitar or any other Western clichés. He rarely uses a rope to lasso anyone or anything (episode The Kid notwithstanding), so the help from this well-trained equine is a bit over the top.
The conflict over the gold is trite, but the snake and the stakeout make this well worth viewing. It's true people are greedy and filled with gold lust. The bit about Major Wilson trying to recall Paladin's name from West Point was amusing.
Paladin's Horse: Curley, a bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.
Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs return and appear different in this episode.
Paladin Shoots: No one. He dropped Major Wilson accidentally. He doesn't count in the death toll.
Accidental Deaths: Major Wilson
Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney
Total Kills by Paladin: 7
Paladin Wounded: 0
Paladin Concussed: 0
Another reviewer has already analysed the beefcake aspects of the episode. There's little to add except to be very grateful to Gene Roddenberry for the scene. Beefcake is always to be appreciated. This is one of only two occasions when he appeared shirtless in this series.
Paladin's horse comes to the rescue to get him out of this trouble. This is completely out of character for this Western hero. We never learn the name of any of Paladin's horses, which is right for his character. Paladin's the focus of every episode, not the horse he rides. According to the book, SILENT HOOFBEATS, this well-trained particular mount was called Curley.
Paladin doesn't sing or play the guitar or any other Western clichés. He rarely uses a rope to lasso anyone or anything (episode The Kid notwithstanding), so the help from this well-trained equine is a bit over the top.
The conflict over the gold is trite, but the snake and the stakeout make this well worth viewing. It's true people are greedy and filled with gold lust. The bit about Major Wilson trying to recall Paladin's name from West Point was amusing.
Paladin's Horse: Curley, a bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.
Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs return and appear different in this episode.
Paladin Shoots: No one. He dropped Major Wilson accidentally. He doesn't count in the death toll.
Accidental Deaths: Major Wilson
Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney
Total Kills by Paladin: 7
Paladin Wounded: 0
Paladin Concussed: 0