SEASON 5
EPISODE
1
THE NEW
DUKES
When
Bo and Luke leave Hazzard to race on the NASCAR
circuit, Uncle Jesse recruits two more cousins, Coy and Vance, to replace them.
At the same time, Boss uses a huge armoured vehicle
to rob various banks.
Even in the middle of the fourth
season slump, where unsatisfying episode's often played week after week,
audiences still tuned in to enjoy the chemistry between the leading actors; and
the hope that storylines would soon improve. With the departure of Bo and Luke,
their replacements needed to be actors of the highest calibre
with personalities to match, in order to have any chance of keeping the fans
interested. Unfortunately, in this episode (as in most of the others this
season) Byron Cherry and Christopher Meyer exude the acting skills of an Oak
Tree and the sparkling personality of a Toothbrush. In fact, the speed at which
their lack of charm manifests itself is quicker than the General at full
throttle. Perhaps if they'd been allowed to assume different personalities from
Bo and Luke, they just might have had an outside chance; but they are
straight-jacketed as clones from the word go (apparently on orders from the
producers, who would not allow them to develop). Only occasionally in Season
Five would they be able to lift themselves above the material.
As for
the rest of the episode; it’s Paul Baxley. So you know it's going to be fast
moving and exciting. And Enos' return is a real
shot-in-the-arm.
ROSCO
MOMENT He looks distinctly uncomfortable around
Coy and Vance, as indeed do the other regular cast members. Their efforts to
exude cheerful bonhomie around the new arrivals all seem rather strained and
not a little uncomfortable.
BEST
STUNT There is plenty of action here, at
least! Loads to choose from (the new Duke's arrival is stunning), but the
explosive leap over the Mean Green Machine is the best of the lot.
***
EPISODE
2
DUKES
STRIKE IT RICH
The
Dukes fake a discovery of Gold in order to give Boss a comeuppance.
An
uncomfortably self-conscious performance from the new Dukes renders the whole
episode rather painful to watch, as all the other regular characters exude an
implausibly hearty bonhomie in their presence, which you know has to be false.
Vance
Duke has developed a persona of sorts, which involves him taking off his shirt
and sticking his chest out as often as possible.
Other
than that, there are no discernable character traits evident in either of the
replacements; but they both look inordinately gleeful most of the time, in an
entirely unconvincing fashion.
To
compensate (here and in every subsequent episode) the stunt budget appears to
have increased. Before, there was generally a chase scene every ten minutes or
so; now, three minutes seems to be the limit. As a result, the episode is big,
fast and furious. But it's painfully empty stuff.
BEST
STUNT The General's jump at the end. The
location makes it more interesting than the usual 'pond-jumping'.
**
EPISODE
3
LAWMAN OF
THE YEAR
Rosco applies for the award of Lawman of the Year, exactly at the
moment that Boss engineers a robbery.
When
Denver Pyle handled the directorial chores, he was either very, very good; or
very, very bad. In this instance, it’s decidedly the latter! This is probably
the worst episode of the seven seasons. Not because it features a ludicrous
story, or silly use of special effects (as would happen in the seventh season);
but because he appears to have so soundly missed every possible target for
comedy and thrills. Surely, a Rosco episode ought to be a 'no-fail' opportunity? But
James Best's heart just doesn't seem to be in it and his 'comedy' scenes are
obvious and flat. The new Dukes are still as stiff as a board; that whole
lengthy sequence in the shed serves no real purpose; and the episode's one
piece of stunt footage is stolen from an earlier show.
Undoubtedly,
the most disappointing installment in the seven year run.
Just the sort of thing, in fact, to drive away even the most
loyal fans.
ROSCO
MOMENT There should be so many, but there
are none; although the 'helping the little old lady across the road' gag
probably looked funnier in the script.
BEST
STUNT One piece of re-used footage. There
is nothing else.
*
EPISODE
4
COY MEETS
GIRL
A
young runaway develops a crush for Coy, but at the same time is on the run from
crooks.
Considering
that the two replacements were ordered to play their roles in the manner of
their predecessors, Byron Cherry must be admired all the more for daring to
step outside the rules and attempt an interpretation of Coy that actually gives
him his own unique character; in his case, an intrepid but somewhat naive and
little-boyish type. It's an affecting creation and you can see what it is that
Bobby Lee sees in him, particularly as Coy seems to imply that he isn't ready
yet to fall in love. Ahhhh!
This is a
thoroughly likeable episode and you yearn for more time to become acquainted
with this likeable new Duke; but the producers apparently had no confidence in
Cherry's ability (what an awful snub that must have been!) and attempt to load
the episode with so much slapstick, stunts and pyrotechnics (most of it, quite
at odds with the sweet little story) that poor old Coy never really has much of
a chance.
Full
marks for the brave attempt, though. Certainly one of the finer episodes and a glimpse of what could
have been.
ROSCO
MOMENT His experience with the Lobster is
unexpected and funny.
BEST
STUNT The encounter with Mollasses is different and surprisingly spectacular!
****
EPISODE
5
THE
HAZZARDGATE TAPE
The
Dukes come to the rescue of Boss, whose life is threatened by rival bosses.
A standard action yarn, no better or worse than any other.
It would
probably have had more energy if the original Duke cousins
had been around for Boss to interact with, as Coy (particularly) and Vance are
back to their usual wooden selves. The action is fine, however particularly the
first big chase.
Don't
bother with the concert finale; Mel Tillis is clearly
miming.
ROSCO
MOMENT Being stuck in a cupboard with Enos. Fortunately, Enos has a novel way of getting them out.
BEST
STUNT The General rear-ends the crooks car
and propels it up into the back of an empty Lorry.
***
EPISODE
6
BIG DADDY
Boss' dad
comes to town and turns out to be more crooked than he is!
What this
episode needed in order to be a winner was three things: Bo, Luke, Sorrell Booke playing his own father (as he did his own brother in
"Baa, Baa, White Sheep”). It would have been funny, memorable and a
fan-pleaser. Unfortunately, it has Coy, Vance and an elderly actor who bears no
resemblance at all to Boss Hogg; subsequently making it hard to believe they
could be related.
This was
also Cletus' last episode. His departure was not announced; one week he was
there, the next he was gone; which was rather cruel treatment of a
long-established character.
BEST
STUNT Vance's effort to remain with the
General after it was stolen is a good example of brawn over brain; but it's the
General's final flight that most impresses.
**
EPISODE
7
VANCE'S
LADY
Vance's
former girlfriend comes visiting, but she's harbouring
a secret.
Vance has
an appropriate choice in women, as his ex-flame Jenny is as dull a person as he
is. In fact, to be perfectly frank, what the audience is being asked to empathise with in this particular episode is a woman
they've never heard of, who used to have a relationship with someone they have
no interest in. To cap it all, most of the action is a repeat of Rosco's shrinking car gag from "Mrs. Daisy Hogg".
It was funny back then; it looks tired now.
The final
kidnapping isn't bad, though. And at least the episode moves quickly.
ROSCO
MOMENT He's not impressed with Boss'
mishearing one of his favourite expressions: it's not
"put the heel to the steel"!
BEST
STUNT The opening jump is a winner.
**
EPISODE
8
HAZZARD
HUSTLE
The
Dukes take on Boss' crooked horse betting racket.
This is a
shamelessly enjoyable episode. Boss' scheme is one of his most devious; the 'out-of-town'
villains are colourful; the new Dukes are kept pretty
much in the background; and the episode is absolutely brimming with top-rank
stunts and action sequences. Indeed, it may very well take the honours for 'most action-packed Dukes episode’; which is a
considerable achievement.
You may
well feel guilty at enjoying this, but enjoy it you certainly will!
ROSCO
MOMENT Having the door slammed on him in
mid-speech.
BEST
STUNT Well, let’s see now. Rosco flies his Patrol Car through a "Rosco P. Coltrane says 'Drive carefully!' " Billboard; Eros’s car sends a road-mender flying into
a pond; The General jumps Rosco's car, Enos does the same but ends up in a Tree; The General jumps
a large creek; Enos flies his car through the air and
lands it on top of a car transporter;’ Bull' jumps his car into a ravine; the
General jumps over a farm; and Bull and Big Billie roll their car after it's
hit by dynamite.
Take your
pick!
***
EPISODE
9
ENOS IN
TROUBLE
An
event from Enos' past in the L.A.Police
comes back to haunt him.
This was
clearly a desperate attempt to create audience empathy by having an Enos storyline; but his interaction with the new Dukes
fails utterly to convince. Even Paul Baxley seems to be having an off day. He
handles the action sequences well(they are certainly
the only reason for watching this one) but the attempts at drama fall
completely flat. Once again, the audience is painfully reminded that it should
be Bo and Luke helping out Enos, not the 'other two'.
BEST
STUNT Again, there are no shortage of
action sequences. Probably the winning entry is the thugs
car not avoiding the Log.
**
EPISODE
10
THE GREAT
INSURANCE FRAUD
Believing
he has caused someone's death by reckless driving, Coy has a nervous breakdown.
He's the victim of a cruel scam, however.
It's
taken ten episodes(quite enough to lose a loyal
following)but here at last is an honest to goodness classic!
Byron
Cherry is finally allowed to develop his 'little boy lost' persona, which he
does to the hilt; bravely taking Coy to places that Bo (his counterpart) would
never have been able to go. The scenes of his slow descent into a silent world
of dark depression (and the audience's knowledge that he's nothing more than a
victim of a heartless Insurance fiddle) are poignant and touching. For the
first time, a story-line is being developed around the characteristics of the
new Dukes, instead of having them emulate the old
ones; and it works tremendously well, allowing a type of storytelling and
character development that had not previously been possible.
Regrettably,
Vance is a disapointment; his 'He-man' portrayal is
wooden, although it provides for some Bondian heroics
in the Finale.
The
Con-artists are well portrayed and Denver Pyle's direction and empathy toward
Coy/Byron makes full amends for the mess he made with "Lawman of the
year".
It's a
shame that Rosco's clowning seems out of place. But
it's interesting to see Boss being duped for once.
ROSCO
MOMENT His destructive car chase at the start
provides some much needed humoring compensation for the serious tone to come.
BEST
STUNT Vance and the helicopter. What a
tough guy!
*****
EPISODE
11
A LITTLE
GAME OF POOL
Uncle
Jesse is duped into competing in a rigged Pool game and loses the Duke farm as
a consequence.
So Uncle Jesse is an expert at Pool,
is he? They'll be trying to convince us that Vance is an interesting person
next!
And we've
seen the inside of the Duke's Barn countless times and there's absolutely never
been a Pool Table sitting there before. They’re big blue things, for heavens'
sake; you can't miss them!
Overlook
those minor points and you'll enjoy this one. It's funny, fast moving and
involving; and often seems like old times.
Boss'
scheme is a good one; and Chickasaw Thins (geddit?)
is a smooth opponent.
ROSCO
MOMENT He's at the wheel of the General and
he tries to jump it over a Motor caravan. I love it, I love it!
BEST
STUNT Once again, there are loads to
choose from; but the sequence involving the Car Transporter is extremely well
done.
****
EPISODE
12
THE
TREASURE OF SOGGY MARSH
Everyone
goes searching for a sunken treasure.
Just when
the fifth season seemed to be finding its feet, along comes this horrible piece
of old nonsense. A terrible story is accompanied by bland performances and
implausible situations. Even Sheriff Little isn't fun
to watch. The Finale is interesting, but the back-projection (always rather
obvious) is laughable here.
BEST
STUNT Coy flies the General into the
water. It's actually a really good stunt; but as it comes at the very end of
the episode, you’ll no doubt be asleep by then.
*
EPISODE
13
THE
REVENGE OF HUGHIE HOGG
Hughie
returns to Hazzard; this time with a scheme to oust Rosco and have him and his men
take the Sheriff's place.
A perfectly respectable Hughie Hogg entry and a fairly
feasible scheme.
Once again, it is demonstrated that it's better the devil you know, as the Duke
family readily come to Rosco's aid with a
surprisingly strong show of support.
Lulu is
put to good use, emphasising once again her familial
connection and the action is well paced and occasionally quite spectacular.
There's even one scene where Vance is so annoyed (by one of Hughie's henchmen)
that he actually gratuitously punches him. Does this mean that he has a
personality?
ROSCO
MOMENT Only he could own a car that completely
falls apart when you open the passenger door!
BEST
STUNT Hughie's henchmen accidentally jump
over the General. A real 'ouch!' moment.
***
EPISODE
14
THE
RETURN OF THE MEAN, GREEN MACHINE
When Boss
attempts to resurrect his secret weapon (from 'The New Dukes'), it’s hijacked
by crooks, who also abduct Cooter and gets taken on
an out-of-control rampage.
This is
Paul Baxley's showcase episode. A non-stop catalogue of stunts and action set
pieces, where plot takes a definite back seat.
Exploding
cars; destruction of buildings; explosions galore; car-jumps even a slam-bang
fight featuring Uncle Jesse!
It's also
the least subtle of any episode so far, but almost seems to revel in that. Cooter gets a rather more prominent role than usual (he'd
been noticeable by his absence for much of this season; a sign of his
discontent?) and Vance gets to demonstrate his 'he-man' tendencies again, when
he hangs on to the side of the Machine irregardless of the fact that it has
spinning blades on its wheels, spurts sheets of flame and has a Heavy whacking
at him with a loaded gun. It all gets a little too much when the General
sprouts a satellite dish (masquerading as a radar scanner) on its roof; but
it's a tremendous ride all the same.
ROSCO
MOMENT When he fires the Bazooka, he
neglects to notice that's it's pointing the wrong way and accidentally blasts
out the rear half of his Patrol Car.
BEST
STUNT The General (for the second time in
the season) jumps the Machine.
****
EPISODE
15
DING,
DONG, THE BOSS IS DEAD
Boss
fakes his own death in order to get an old enemy off his back.
All the
indications are that the producers fully intended this to be another classic.
Sorrell Booke gives a marvelous performance; Rosco figures prominently; there’s another slapstick moment
in the same vein as Rosco's 'stretcher predicament'
from "Coltrane Vs. Duke”; broad comedy and loads
of impressive action.
However,
it doesn't really work; mainly due to the wooden and unconvincing presence of
the new Dukes, who still fail to convince (not necessarily a fault on their
part). It's a good laugh (particularly the 'lying in state' sequence, where
Jesse attempts to give a eulogy, but is understandably lost for words), but
comedy was not Cherry and Meyer's forte (even when they were on form) and you
can't help wondering how much better it all would have been had Bo and Luke
been there instead.
If you
want a good laugh, however, notice how Vance stares appreciatively at Lorna's
breasts!
ROSCO
MOMENT His guzzling a sandwich in Boss'
face while he's lying in state is brilliant. He'd clearly been looking forward
to that moment for years!
BEST
STUNT The General jumping the Barn is most
impressive (and would be repeated, on numerous occasions, with different camera
angles throughout the remainder of the series)
***
EPISODE
16
COY VS. VANCE
When
Coy falls in love with a beautiful stunt-rider (with a mysterious past), it
causes a rift between him and Vance.
Suspiciously
similar to "Carnival of thrills" (of which, this is a potted version)
this feels like another attempt to 'serious up' the storylines. Indeed, Cherry
does his usual good job at giving Coy depth of
character; but you never feel anything like as involved as you did when Bo and
Luke developed a similar rift. Only the fight between the two cousins in the
middle of
Sorrell Booke (in his Directorial debut) at least succeeds in
keeping the action buzzing along nicely.
Perhaps
the feeling of retrospection was forgiveable, as this
was also the 100th episode of the series.
BEST
STUNT Lots and lots, but Enos' Patrol car crashing down from a great height onto a
small fishing boat (with the Fisherman jumping out at the last moment) is
spectacular indeed.
***
EPISODE
17
COMRADE
DUKE
When a
Russian gymnast decides to defect,it's
up to the Dukes to protect her.
A truly ghastly and patronizing episode. It may seem a little odd that a
semi-dictatorship (albeit a good humoured and benign
one)such as Hazzard County
would be so desired by a Russian athlete,but then
again such defections were indeed commonplace at the time this episode was made.Nonetheless,this remains a distasteful and
over-simplified political flag-waver;something that
should never intrude on a family series such as The Dukes. And the villainous
Russian stereotypes are insulting. Presumably,if the episode were to be re-made today,the heavies would all be dumb Arabs?
Despite
all of this, the character of Natasha is appealing (Dawn Jeffory
gives a convincing performance) and Byron Cherry is once again given a chance
to stretch himself (physically - that back-flip is rather impressive), as well
as creatively.
BEST
STUNT The Russian's rolling their car.
*
EPISODE
18
WITNESS:
JESSE DUKE
While
attempting to prevent an armed gang from robbing a bank, Jesse is physically
assaulted and loses his sight.
What a
shame that audience's had pretty much tuned out of the series by now, as this
is one of the finest episodes they ever made.
The
situation that Jesse finds himself in is believable and (when the robbers come
looking for him) surprisingly suspenseful.
Denver
Pyle's performance is wonderful; Cathy Bach is credibly upset in the role of
Daisy; and even Christopher Meyer is allowed to act for once (instead of strut)
as Vance. This is perfect, well thought-out storytelling; with the spectacular
action never eclipsing the character's personal dilemmas. This is just the
episode to show to all those who deride the Coy and Vance era. Yes, the
episodes were never as fun to watch as the Bo and Luke stories, but they still
produced some of the best shows of the series.
Without a doubt, Coy and Vance's finest hour.
ROSCO
MOMENT Describing Jesse's blindness as
'having your eye-balls scuffed'. Tactless, accurate and
hilarious at the same time.
BEST
STUNT The Train jump is actually a clever use of
previously seen footage, but skillfully edited together. However, the General's
jump over the length of the lorry (and Enos' attempt
to emulate it) is the real deal!
*****
EPISODE
19
WELCOME
BACK, BO AND LUKE
After
winning the NASCAR
To say that the return of the
original Duke Boy's is a triumph (let alone a blessed relief) would be an
extreme understatement. The moment when they enter the Boars Nest (and their
later drive through Hazzard Square) is one of the
classic images of the series and one in which even the most reticent Duke's fan
must have felt like hugging the TV Screen. If this episode had been your
standard Hazzard storyline, it would have been a
success; as it is, it’s a beautifully written and performed tale and the
combination of Bo and Luke and great storytelling makes for a classic episode.
It's rather a shame that Coy and Vance are so swiftly written out of the
scenario (after all, the actors had done their very best under the
circumstances) but it's clear that the producers wanted everything to return to
the old scenario just as fast as possible.
Also of
particular merit here is Ben Jones' performance as Cooter.
This is a characterisation of depth; and the crisis
that Cooter is suffering from presumably explains the
character's comparative absence over the fifth season. His 'rescue' by Bo and
Luke is a brilliant way to re-introduce them into the series and is completely
involving.
All in
all, this is a triumphant moment in Duke history and a
classic episode.
ROSCO
MOMENT Finding Daisy's underwear and getting all
excited! Rosco; how could you?
BEST
STUNT Rosco and Enos'
double jump into the lake. Extremely graceful.
*****
EPISODE
20
BIG
BROTHERS, DUKE
When
Bo and Luke temporarily adopt a teenage Orphan, they find themselves in a whole
lot of trouble.
A curious
choice of story for Bo and Luke's first complete episode after their return, as
it's terribly slow-moving and (although warm-hearted) fails to involve anything
like as much as it should. Clearly a way of appeasing
Schneider and Wopat, who had left the series partly
due to the poor quality of the storylines. Denver Pyle handles the
character side of things rather well, but (aside from a splendid opening
sequence) a little action wouldn't have gone amiss.
A good
try, but not the sort of thing to bring the viewers flooding back.
BEST
STUNT Bo's leap from the top of the van
onto the General's roof. Slick and potentially very
dangerous.
**
EPISODE
21
FAREWELL,
HAZZARD.
Forced
to leave their Farm by a conniving Boss Hogg and a crooked property developer,
Bo and Luke discover that most of the county is about to be turned into one
large strip-mine.
Now this
is more like it! A cracking tale of corporate greed; character torment (poor
old Uncle Jesse, after losing the Farm); loss of valued posessions;
femme fatales; and helicopters attempting to land on top of speeding cars.
If the
first half of the episode concentrates on character conflicts (and very well,
too) the second part devotes itself to action; quite superbly! This story is
one of the best examples of an episode where everything pulls together in just
the proper proportion.
ROSCO MOMENT Throwing the Red Carpet at Boss.
BEST
STUNT The General flying through the air
directly toward the Helicopter is incredible (as is the attempt of the
Helicopter to land on it's roof) and its climactic
crash is marvelous. However, the honours must go to Enos spinning his car through the air and landing upside
down on the roof of the villains automobile; brilliant!
****
EPISODE
22
DAISY'S
SHOTGUN WEDDING
Daisy
leaves the farm, searching independence. Unfortunately, a backwoods hillbilly
family kidnaps her in order to force her into marriage with one of their clan.
A surprisingly seedy story, with several characters
seemingly straight out of 'Deliverence'. This actually works well for the
most part, as the Daisy storyline is sweet and quite involving. The Beaudry's are a terrific invention (their ineptness just
about keeping them unthreatening) and the most comically wicked Villains
encountered so far. (The decision to bring them back in the sixth season was
very wise). The scene with the Preacher (a wonderful Dennis Fimple,
who seemed to specialise in such characters) is a
clever mixture of comedy, suspense and repulsion.
Unfortunately,
despite being a Paul Baxley episode, this just isn't very exciting. Gripping and involving, undoubtedly; but there's little action.
What the series needed to be sure of keeping it's returning viewers was a
slam-bang action finale to the last episode, as the icing on the Cake.
Unfortunately, it isn't there. Which leaves a very palatable cake nonetheless,
but one that isn't quite sweet enough!
ROSCO
MOMENT Trying to chase after two Microlite's in his Patrol car is just asking for trouble!
BEST
STUNT The fight in the Boar's Nest is exceptionally
well done (Paul Baxley having a ball!). However, it’s not often you see a 'Microlite crash’; and this one looks good and makes a
decent change from the norm.
***