SEASON 1
EPISODE 1
ONE ARMED BANDITS
Bo, Luke and Daisy intercept a
shipment of Boss Hogg's slot 
machines
and distribute them among the local charities.
It's hard to believe that this episode spawned a seven-year series. Despite
a fascinatingly authentic 'southern' atmosphere, it must be said that this is
one of the weakest instalments of the entire series.
The warm humour of later episodes is absent and most of the characters
are disconcertingly raw; particularly Rosco, who comes across here as your
bog-standard sinister corrupt Sheriff.
The action sequences are fairly sparse and the whole production has a
somewhat amateurish feel.
Small wonder, then, that the reviews were generally hostile.
Despite the scenic quality of the
It's watchable enough, but not especially enjoyable.
BEST STUNT. The highlight must be the now iconic sequence (as
seen in the opening titles) of the General jumping Rosco's Patrol car in the
centre of Main Street.
ROSCO MOMENT. Despite his
more sinister portrayal, Rosco's hijacking of the Piano van is still funny.
**
EPISODE 2
DAISY’S SONG.
Bo and Luke help to ensure that
Daisy receives the Royalties for a song that she wrote.
A much improved effort. The exchange of dialogue between the Duke family is lighter and more assured, with the main characters
quickly finding their feet. Rosoe and Boss still need to be softened, but the
tone is altogether warmer and more affectionate; with some very fine comedic
moments (particularly for the guest character of Lester Star). The action
sequences are handled well (especially the frantic chase through Atlanta) and,
despite a somewhat anti-climactic ending, this is a strong entry.
BEST STUNT. The General
sideswiping the Atlanta Patrol car. Shot on location in the actual city
streets, this is a real 'yes!' moment.
****
EPISODE 3
MARY KAYE'S BABY.
Bo and Luke ensure that hoodlums do
not interfere with the birth of a 
friend's
child.
Another shaky
first season episode.
Despite some warm humour, the direction (by Rod Amateu, who also helmed
the Pilot episode) is very scrappy and full of continuity holes; and the pace
(after a cracking opening) is far too slow. Another point deducted for the
'no-show' of the General Lee; criminal!
BEST STUNT. The Plymouth Fury jumps the Bridge. Beautiful!
**
EPISODE 4
REPO MEN.Bo and Luke need to repossess a Rolls Royce in
order to buy a racing engine; unaware that the Rolls is being used by a gang of
Counterfeiters.
Serious and fairly brutal, this is nonetheless an interesting story,
enlivened by some colourful characters.
It's a pleasure seeing Lulu (especially this early in the series) as she
added warmth to Boss Hogg's potentially aggressive character (Sorrell Booke
hadn't yet managed to make the character sufficiently comical) and Ace Parker
has a genuinely seedy, yet comical, personality.
The action sequences are barely adequate, however; until the splendidly
destructive final few minutes, that is!
ROSCO
MOMENT His gleeful childlike enthusiasm behind the wheel of the Rolls. At last; signs that he is finally softening!
BEST STUNT The total destruction of the Mafia Hoodlum's car,
culminating in the final wipeout. Glorious!
***
EPISODE 5
HIGH OCTANE.
The Dukes enter a 'substitute Fossil
Fuel' contest.
This is the landmark show! The episode where
all the ingredients came together. (The well-drawn characters from
Episode 1; the humour from Episode 2;the 
stunt work from Episodes 3 and 4).
Everything here is in perfect proportion; and, indeed,
the series rarely matched this quality again. The story is feasible, yet funny
and cleverly twisting. The characters are interesting and affectionately drawn.
The stunts are often breathtaking.
The relationship between Roxanne (a lovely performance) and the Duke
family is beautifully portrayed and quite plausible; and Boss and Rosco have
finally lightened up and play the comically inept family friendly 'villains' to
the hilt. A gem.
ROSCO MOMENT Army fatigues, the General and a ditch.
Classic!
BEST STUNT The jump over the Flatbed Lorry.
*****
EPISODE 6
SWAMP MOLLY
The Dukes help out an old friend of
Jessie's by transporting a shipment of (or so they 
believe)
Moonshine.
The first show filmed in
It's a lot of fun, although not particularly exciting.
ROSCO MOMENT The scene where he
tries to convince the FBI agents that his officially documented sighting of a
transportation of illegal arms was all due to his inhaling swamp gas is
absolutely hilarious.
BEST STUNT Enos wiping out his Patrol Car.
***
EPISODE 7
LUKE'S LOVE STORY
Luke enters the General in the
annual 'Obstacle race' not knowing that Bo has made a bet that, in the event of
Luke losing, the General will be forfeited.
You can tell that this is a First Season episode, as several of the main
players are distinctly out of character.
In particular Luke, as he comes across unashamedly male chauvinist and
slow witted.
The 'big build-up' to the race is effective and entertaining, with all
the competitors shown to have strong personal incentives for winning; but the
event itself is over far too soon.
Amy Creevy and Francis Lee Olmstead are terrific characters and ought to
have appeared again.
BEST STUNT Turk finally getting his comeuppance.
***
EPISODE 8
THE BIG HEIST
A down-on-his-luck farmer (conned by
Boss Hogg) attempts to get his just reward.
This is a terribly slight story, stretched out to breaking point.
It's very funny in places, but you know exactly what's going to happen
from two minutes in. The very sparse amount of action doesn't help, either.
ROSCO MOMENT Masking Enos.
BEST STUNT The General's first 'wheelie' is a classic,
but about the only piece of excitement the episode has to offer.
**
EPISODE 9
LIMO ONE IS MISSING.
Cooter falls in love with President
Jimmy Carter's Limousine and drives away in it.
Well, I suppose it must have seemed a good idea at the time; but it's
now terribly dated and gruesomely un-funny. Another shaky First Season episode
where everyone acts out of character and nothing very much seems to happen (the
Finale is crushingly anti-climactic). Is that 'hic-cupping gag' actually
supposed to be funny?
BEST STUNT The General's jump near the start ended up in the
opening titles of the show from Season 2 onward.
*
EPISODE 10
DEPUTY DUKES
As payback for a misdemeanour, Bo
and Luke are forced into becoming Boss Hogg's Deputies and assigned an
'impossible' job.
One of the all-time classics. By Episode 10,the writers and producers were clearly
feeling confident enough to take liberties with the regular characters and Bo
and Luke are used splendidly here. Indeed, they rise to the occasion and show
(Luke particularly) just what strong creations they've become. The storyline is
well thought-out, twisting and funny; the performances first-class; the action
copious and of a very high standard; and the whole episode is vastly
entertaining and moves along at a fair old pace.
ROSCO MOMENT His reaction
to a naked Bo and Luke is priceless!
BEST STUNT Many to choose from here, but it has to be the
enemy car taking evasive action to avoid the Ambulance.
*****
EPISODE 11
MONEY TO BURN
Boss Hogg schemes to take possession
of $1 million of 'outdated' currency.
The first episode from the writing team of Raynor and Wilder, this is
typical of their output: i.e. plenty of physical comedy; a 'get-rich-quick
scheme for Boss Hogg' storyline; 3 or 4 car chases; and a comedy punch-line
ending.
It's no better or worse than the rest of their output and passes the
time agreeably enough.
BEST STUNT The opening
chase sequence is fast and furious.
***
EPISODE 12
ROUTE 7-11
The Dukes thwart a 'mobile Casino'
scheme.
This is one of those storylines that probably wouldn't (alas) have made
it into production from Season 2 onwards, as it's just a little off-kilter for
a Dukes plot; but very agreeable it is, too.
The basic concept is a good one (the writer, Fred Freiberger, was one of
the great unsung 'workmen' of American TV in the 60's and 70's) and it's well
realised. Uncle Jesse shines and the female villain is used well.
Unfortunately, it's all a bit sedentary otherwise; especially as the General
is forced into Cooter's Garage at the very start of the episode and never
properly appears again.
ROSCO MOMENT Attempting to communicate with Enos, who is
actually Luke, while hiding under a tablecloth. It makes sense when you
actually see it!
BEST STUNT The opening
jump.
***
EPISODE 13
DOUBLE STING
A fake disease causes most of the
major characters to be holed up inside the Jailhouse.
Gy Waldron's script for the last episode of the first Season
demonstrates very effectively just what changes had taken place since Episode
1. This is a 'high comedy' episode, with plenty of slapstick and Laurel and
Hardy references (which sit rather uneasily with the kidnapping plot) and very
broad comedy playing from all concerned. It's a fun story without a doubt (and
contains probably the best chase sequence in any American TV Series) but is no
classic.
BEST STUNT One of the greatest car stunts of all time: The General jumps the River.
This actually broke the existing car-jump 'greatest distance' record and
was shamelessly re-used twice more in the series (as well as in the first
Feature Film). An iconic image.
***