THE PILOT

• It is the beginning of something special; a sweet, endearing, poignant, funny, sexy show. What could be better?
• I love how Kid yells “hit the dirt, folks!” and they all run for shelter. I am amazed at how close Peter came to actually landing on Ben’s outstretched leg as he jumped the log—about an ounce less energy in his jump and Ben would have had a crushed ankle.



• Ok, I am already in love with Heyes---it took me all of what, 4 minutes?--one look at that adorable face as he gingerly looks around the door at the safe and I am a goner. Irretrievably lost in the wonder of Hannibal Heyes. ® §

• There is something really tasty in the chemistry between the Kid and Wheat. Kid puts him in his place quite comfortably and Wheat seems to respect Kid’s authority. Wheat is forever chiding Heyes and Kid steps in as Heyes’ protector/enforcer, making sure Wheat remembers who the boss is. A very nice three way dynamic. And each has its own offshoot—between Kid and Heyes, between Heyes and Wheat, and between Kid and Wheat; each vastly different and each working to perfection.
• It is fun to see Jeanette Nolan in a small comedic role, knowing she has worked with Peter before in two poignant and emotional episodes of her own series, The Virginian.
• I find something so funny about Kyle’s voice and accent. I chuckle when Kyle jumps up and down, yelling, “Ya-hoo here she is boys!!” as he spots the safe they have hoisted off the cliff. And when Heyes’ asks “Is she open?” and Kyle responds, “Nope. She’s buried.” I laugh out loud. And it is because of Kyle’s voice. Dennis Fimple has already made this quirky character his own.
• The “better hurry boys” scene is one of my favorites. It really defines Wheat’s character completely. I personally think Earl Holliman is an exceptional comedic actor and did some of the best acting in the entire episode.

• It is totally creepy to me that as Lom Trevors introduces the boys as Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones, the audio to previous dialog was obviously cut and Peter’s mouth is moving in some unheard conversation as is Ben’s, who seems to only say a word or two. It irks me that the editors didn’t cut it out. I find that kind of oversight really shameful. It is more than a blooper. It shows poor workmanship.
• Heyes' reaction to Miss Porter in Lom's office is priceless. The boyish grin, the exaggerated responses work perfectly. He is a natural flirt, it is my guess, and he does it with such a silly enjoyment that we can't help but hold out hope he will get the girl. His reaction when Miss Porter says "I know I'll be in good hands" makes me giggle. I have always enjoyed a good double entendre and Heyes already appears to be quite adept at using them--this time with a look and not a word. And Peter has given us one of our first glimpses at his amazing skill at expressive acting, using only non-verbal communication. ®
• I see Miss Porter is not above using her feminine wiles to get what she wants as she plays the helpless female, saying, "Well, being only a woman, I feel I need some guidance.” And I glance at our boys and know instantly they are goners. Our paradoxical boys--two chivalrous young men who aren't above using a helpless woman to get what they want.



• I hail thanks to the wardrobe heavens that much of the gawd-awful outfits our boys wore in this episode were retired before the series began…

• There is a very attractive near “safegasm” moment. [: Alias Smith & Jones Snark-a-thon] Heyes is adorable when he has his ear pressed to the safe, looking all turned on. The moment where Miss Porter asks him if he is satisfied is priceless.

• My god. How freakin' tall is Forrest Tucker? As Heyes and Curry are di-rected to hand over their firearms, they look like two little boys next to the giant man.

• The whole “walk off” scene is exceptional. The way it is filmed, where you see Kid look past Heyes, and you see Heyes’ back through the whole thing, makes the scene even more intense. Heyes mocking the story and mouthing along with Kid, while rolling his eyes, is perfect. “Don’t you push, you can’t back it up!” is flawless. Heyes always being the one to smooth things over works very well. “Ok, Heyes, step aside”—really good, beautifully intense on Ben’s part. Kid listening to Heyes, and respecting his logic is the beginning of a very complex connection between Heyes and Curry that runs throughout the series. Kid is the hot head, Heyes the smart, logical one who calms him. It is a sweet relationship and we are beginning to see the respect/love side of it. The chemistry between the two characters, and I think, between the two actors—regardless of whether they had a close off-set friendship---is palpable. This “walk off” scene set the outline for the series, and made this episode. ®

• This episode is definitely lacking in cohesive character definition on Peter’s part. Earlier, while talking to Miss Porter in the street, he threw himself full force into a southern accent, but we don’t hear it in other scenes. And I absolutely HATE the stupid, goofy Heyes he shows in the scene in the bank when he is talking to Kid and gets all stupid over “Miss Porter” with his tongue hanging out and a weird backwoods bumpkin accent---it is embarrassingly bad. I have to turn away when that scene is on. I think Peter really missed the mark on how to play Heyes in this first attempt. Luckily, it was only in a couple of scenes and he pulled it together in the other scenes. And thank god this is the last we will see of the goofy, stupid, weirdly accented Hannibal Heyes.

• A true laugh-out-loud moment, when Wheat tells his motley crew of outlaws--who look like a bunch of escaped mental patients—“we’ll all just walk in there, looking innocent and normal….” He looks at the row of losers, “well, we’ll all just walk in there…” That scene is absolutely faultless!
• The attempted robbery is very funny. An especially good moment, in my mind, is when Kid says, “Howdy, boys…” and the whole gang turns and looks at him and very softly replies in various forms of greeting...priceless.
• Earl Holliman and Dennis Fimple are TOTAL scene stealers. I love every scene they are in!
• I see Earl Holliman is on Clay, the horse that would become Peter’s favorite and most often ridden mount. He is a beautiful horse.
• I enjoy the scene where Heyes is roused from a sleep to follow the deputy over to the saloon. Particularly the moment when he is walking and trying to put his boot on at the same time—his walk all gangly, his knees jutting out like an old bowlegged miner. Just perfect.

• We have just witnessed our first glimpse of the care our boys take for each other. Even when given the choice of being with a beautiful and obviously smitten woman, Kid shows us where his allegiance lies when he spies Heyes across the street being rousted by the deputy, and politely takes his leave of her to join his partner. Lovely. And it is one of the most important threads to run through this series from day one through Peter’s final take.

• Heyes is an emotional and demonstrative man, and he isn't afraid to express it. He shows us this as he laments, with tears forming in his eyes and emotion in his voice, being done in and it having taken a friend to do it. As Kid dangles the cell keys Heyes runs to him and hugs him, a childlike laugh emanating from his lips. I have heard that very laugh from Peter many times, in other projects--and I must say, I absolutely adore it.

  

• An amazing visual as the bank safe blows sky high…the Devil’s Hole gang, all seated in the saloon, are blown--- still in their chairs---backward in all directions as the table propels straight up; while outside, the town’s main street is rained on by money. And Forrest tucker’s cheeks kind of flapping from the quick movement of his face as he turns toward the blast is absolutely hysterical.
• There is a wealth of truly fabulous comedic lines in this episode. I could write pages on the perfectly written, flawlessly timed utterances alone.
• It has been a joyous beginning to a very special show that will, when all is said and done, hold up over time. It has its flaws, and it has it's brilliant moments. And it has its rightful place in the hearts of all of us. ♥