Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but the final scene is not only painfully contrived, it's yet another "Let's rush this to a conclusion" moment. Or, who needs a believable finish to a fantastic plot? (Actually, an injection of logic can only help this type of story.) Yes, Jim's preternatural powers of persuasion triumph again. All he needs to do, in this case, is inspire Dr. Arcularis' test subjects to fight the bad doctor. Who would have thought? This also provides room for a jokey ending, with Jim and Artie debating whether or not they should save Arcularis. Luckily, the preceding action is tense, serious, and expertly paced. I'm a fan of Scott Marlowe, so it's nice to see him on WWW, and to have him playing a morally conflicted character. On one hand, he hates the peace plan, anticipating a series of betrayals to come for his people (and, unfortunately, he's correct). On the other hand, he can't help admiring West's courage. Thus, he saves West by confessing his part in the plot, and mainly because West has earned his respect as a noble warrior. The torture scenes are more harrowing than anything to come in the succeeding seasons, and it's quite a novelty to have Jim (almost) crack under pressure. And the Artie/Jim fight is memorably pulled off, even if Martin's stunt double doesn't look all that much like Ross.
3 Reviews
The mad Pavlovian doctor
souther0224 January 2013
I have this season on disc(25 shows) and this is one of Robert Conrad's favorite shows. It is also one of my favorite shows.
I want to point out that at the beginning of each show there is a little "debriefing" by James West himself. I also want to point out that if you do not want to know anything about the story, do not listen to Robert Conrad's introduction. In my mind, that intro is full of spoilers.
The madman in the "The Howling Light" is a scientist and technically a clinical psychologist. A cruel, sick, Pavlovian behaviorist. The other guest star is a Native American, most likely educated in American schools, yet a vehement man who does not like whites. Probably despises them, but does not like Ocularis much either.
...
I want to point out that at the beginning of each show there is a little "debriefing" by James West himself. I also want to point out that if you do not want to know anything about the story, do not listen to Robert Conrad's introduction. In my mind, that intro is full of spoilers.
The madman in the "The Howling Light" is a scientist and technically a clinical psychologist. A cruel, sick, Pavlovian behaviorist. The other guest star is a Native American, most likely educated in American schools, yet a vehement man who does not like whites. Probably despises them, but does not like Ocularis much either.
...
Dark goings-on at a lighthouse
ShadeGrenade6 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Jim is summoned to the Samaritan Hospital by 'Dr.Arcularis' ( Sam Wanamaker ) who tells him that Arte has died. The man in the morgue is not Arte. Jim is gassed and taken to the lighthouse off Barrows' Point where he is subjected to intense brainwashing - loud bells, blinding light etc. - to make him murder a native American leader named 'Ho-Tami' ( Ralph Moody ). A peace conference is due to be held at St.Louis and one of the participants - 'Akeema' ( Scott Marlowe ) - is keen to stop it happening, regarding any form of peace as slavery. By murdering Ho-Tami, Jim will ensure no peace exists between native Americans and white men.
Written by Henry Sharp, 'The Night Of The Howling Light' showcases a fine, menacing performance from the talented actor/ director Sam Wanamaker. The episode was nominated for an Emmy for Ted Voightlander's lighting, but lost out to 'Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea'. The scenes in the lighthouse where Jim is brainwashed are disturbing, rivalling anything seen in 'The Ipcress File'. Linda Marsh is 'Indra', the daughter of the lighthouse keeper whom Arcularis brainwashed. She winds up assisting Jim.
Produced by 'Gunsmoke' creator John Mantley. Like Fred Freiberger, he is also notorious for screwing up a hit sci-fi show, in this case 'Buck Rogers In The 25th Century'.
Written by Henry Sharp, 'The Night Of The Howling Light' showcases a fine, menacing performance from the talented actor/ director Sam Wanamaker. The episode was nominated for an Emmy for Ted Voightlander's lighting, but lost out to 'Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea'. The scenes in the lighthouse where Jim is brainwashed are disturbing, rivalling anything seen in 'The Ipcress File'. Linda Marsh is 'Indra', the daughter of the lighthouse keeper whom Arcularis brainwashed. She winds up assisting Jim.
Produced by 'Gunsmoke' creator John Mantley. Like Fred Freiberger, he is also notorious for screwing up a hit sci-fi show, in this case 'Buck Rogers In The 25th Century'.
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