I hadn't seen any episodes in years until they started airing them again on Hallmark a few years ago.
This one and a few other Audra and Nick episodes were the only ones I recalled from my childhood. The only thing I remembered from this one is being so scared that Nick would die. i didn't know (back then) that a series wouldn't kill off one of its stars.
Of course Nick was bitten. He was too slow to get out of the way of a "rapid" wolf. lol I know it was just a typo.
I remember him wearing all that leather and looking feverish and my mom saying, "Why doesn't he take off those gloves?"
I recently saw part of this one on INSP. I'll really have to watch more closely since I just bought the series on DVD, I did not remember "Opie" being in this one at all. I also had no idea that the episode borrows from "Shane" since I never saw that movie.
What impressed me was the way Heath could keep a secret! "Boy howdy", he sure knew how to keep a confidence, even when Jarrod pressed him to reveal what was wrong with Nick. Talk about the "strong, silent" type. I doubt if I could've kept my mouth shut!
This episode was very upsetting to me as a child. Now I can watch it without being afraid that Nick will die. Of course it's unlikely that the wolf was actually rabid. Back then no one survived rabies. The wolf must've transmitted some other type of infection.
Good episode, corny ending. But I'm a sucker for corn!
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[email protected] (1732)
5 years ago
I defend the BV when it's good (and many are - think of the Colleen Dewhurst ep, or the Lee Grant offering - two
great actresses kicking ass). But this one is just too corny.
I love the beautiful Nancy Olson, and Ronny Howard was always first-rate. But the silly "marking off the calendar"
stuff with Heath (at home, noting Nick has to survive 60 days if he's to live) is too much.
I noticed to commented negatively on the "My Son, My Son" ep (mainly about Audra's NOT being too young to
"Court"), but this episode is a standout to me. Amazing script and performances.
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[email protected] (5501)
5 years ago
Yes, The Big Valley had a lot of great guest stars. I just watched the Lee Grant episode. She was wonderful in this episode. And Colleen Dewhurst is wonderful in everything.
I liked a lot of the male guest stars too. James Whitmore was terrific. I just love Bruce Dern. He is one of those actors who can do drama and comedy equally well. Whenever I see one of his BV appearances I can't help but think of his role as Joe Danby in the comedy Support Your Local Sheriff and I start to laugh.
And yes the wolf episode is corny. I don't think I could keep that secret for sixty hours, let alone sixty days!
"My Son, My Son" is a very good episode even though Audra was hardly "too young" to be thinking about marriage. Robert Walker, Jr. excelled at playing someone who is "off kilter".
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