Perceptive drama, one of the high water marks of season four, offers a fresh, feminine slant on Drury's character, courtesy of a crack scenario by Martha Wilkerson. Fetching Joan Staley plays an outlaw's moll who nurses The Virginian through a bout of pneumonia. The disillusioned woman wants above all else to be needed instead of used and is drawn to his civilized decency. But choosing between this reticent stranger who keeps his feelings mostly unspoken and the brazen bandit who'll stop at nothing to hold her is tougher than she expected. Her decision has lacerating impact, and Drury, aware of the script's implications, responds with an affecting performance. Beefy Michael Forest brings swashbuckling brio to the outlaw role.
3 Reviews
i never miss this episode!
birdgoog22 June 2021
Lol pretty sure i hated this episode the very first time i saw it! Well, WHO could pass up a chance to be with the V?? The MAN imho! Years later now i've seen it lots - every time it's been available on TV or youtube etc. The more i've watched, the more i've appreciated it. Prolly "i" needed to grow up quite a bit to really "get it"? First i had to get OVER my sincere belief the the Virginian was the most handsome, sexy, smart, sarcastically funny MAN that OF COURSE every woman would prefer! (tbh i still have to remind myself every time at the end of the episode!) Also learned how great it can feel to be needed. Pretty sure that's not a joy that only women can experience. Especially since the love was already there. And as Maggie finally told the V, "you don't need ANYONE!" Always felt if you really love someone certainly you "need" them, their love and support etc. ... if you don't feel needed though? I think EVERYONE needs to be needed. Maybe i'm reviewing only now bc i kind of have an example to share. My husband and i were/are🤞🏻that icky couple who were always in love. Now (again) he's battling cancer. I always loved him more than anything but now he absolutely NEEDS ME. I dunno but it makes me love him even more and then i need him even more and it gets even deeper & more intense ... LISTEN, i said i had an "example" not an "explanation"! Well i guess ultimately that's what earned my 10/10? This episode ended up helping me to understand myself! And imo soo well acted at all levels! They made me care about them all! And hope for the best! To me, that's a perfect 10/10!
Mission for 6 Palominos
bkoganbing26 August 2020
This Virginian episode has James Drury and Doug McClure going to Mexico to buy
and transport six palomino horses from a ranch there. While stopping overnight
Drury comes down with some kind of bug and McClure is forced to complete the
mission.
But the real story is while Drury is recovering at the saloon/hotel oned by Thomas Gomez, he's nursed by saloon girl Joan Staley. They develop an attraction for each other.
The only problem being she's the squeeze of outlaw Michael Forest and e's a most jealous man.
Nice turns by the guest cast and in addition Joe Mantell has a good role as Gomez's bartender from Poland. You'll have to watch the episode to find out how a Pole wound up tending bar in a Mexican border town.
But the real story is while Drury is recovering at the saloon/hotel oned by Thomas Gomez, he's nursed by saloon girl Joan Staley. They develop an attraction for each other.
The only problem being she's the squeeze of outlaw Michael Forest and e's a most jealous man.
Nice turns by the guest cast and in addition Joe Mantell has a good role as Gomez's bartender from Poland. You'll have to watch the episode to find out how a Pole wound up tending bar in a Mexican border town.
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