Maverick "Relic of Fort Tejon" Aired November 3, 1957. Starring James Garner. Written by Jerry Davis. Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
TIM SAYS:
Angela had me watch the 1994 movie version of Maverick, a movie I had always been reluctant to watch because I didn't think anyone else by James Garner could bring Bret Maverick to life.
And, though I did end up enjoying the movie for what it was, I still think this is true. In the episode we watched--"Relic of Fort Tejon"--Garner brings wit, intelligence and cleverness to his portrayal of Maverick. Though Mel Gibson did fine as an alternate universe version of the character, Garner is the only true Bret.
In this one, Bret wins a camel in a poker game, though he thought he was gambling for a horse. (The camel's previous owner merely described the camel as a "full-blooded Arabian mount.") Bret has to bribe a farmer into taking the camel off his hands, but the beast has, by now, fallen in love with him and just won't stay away.
This, in the end, proves fortunate. Brett gets involved in a high-stakes poker game that he knows is crooked. But he keeps winning anyway, because he knows all the tricks the cheaters use and continually out-tricks them. In the end, the owner of the crooked house simply shoots Bret and claims self-defense.
Brett, though recovers and now it is a matter of pride to confront the crook. There's a wonderful scene in which he bluffs a super-fast gunfighter into giving up without a fight. This is typical of Maverick--if he can use his brains to get out of a direct fight, then he will do so. With style.
More shenanigans ensue and Maverick ends up pursuing the crook across the desert. When Maverick loses both his horse and his water supply, it turns out that knowing a camel with a crush on him just might save his life.
This is a great episode, highlighting everthing that makes Maverick a classic Western character.
ANGELA SAYS:
I feel a little bad reviewing this episode and comparing it to the movie. They are based on the same character and ideas, but it’s a little like comparing apples and oranges. A movie has the budget and time to do things that a single episode in a series cannot. This is especially true when the only option for original viewers was to see missed episodes via reruns. This meant a series could not have a story arc that crossed episodes. Additionally, the movie was at the end of TV Western history while the series was at the beginning. All these things combine to provide very different experiences.
So, with those caveats, here goes. This was a fun western episode; it had the typical ingredients: shootouts, a desert chase, gambling and a bit of a love triangle. While Maverick and Donna weren’t true love interests, they definitely made up two sides of a lover’s issue. And here is where I do a bit of Donna bashing. She supposedly knows Maverick, his reputation and character; yet she doesn’t believe him when he says her fiancé is crooked. Her “but I love him” just makes me want to knock some sense in to her. Carl even slaps her and it leaves no impression. It would make more sense if she showed some doubt in “honest” Carl, but she is determined to be oblivious, and stupid. For me it would have worked much better if it were a random town girl who had no previous knowledge of Maverick.
I have to say, I loved the twist with the pure bred Arabian mount. The camel was a perfect sidekick for this episode and was used well. The way she kept showing up throughout the episode was spot-on, and her arrival in the nick of time to save the day was perfect (if expected). Although, apparently, poor Fatima will forever wear that saddle!
I found the movie funny and even laughed out loud in a few places. In comparison, I found this episode to be just amusing. The episode was much slower paced although it was probably more of a “true” western than the movie. Overall, I enjoyed the movie more than the episode; though that might say more about me than the episode. I’m not going to rush out and binge watch all five seasons, but I wouldn’t say no to an episode now and then.
