A SINGLE PILGRIM
A Single Pilgrim - first shown
'Hoss is accidentally shot by a man who mistakes him for a
deer. He brings him back to his house where he lives with his wife and father.
His father fears the law, and thinks they will be much better off if Hoss dies.
The wife cares for Hoss despite her father-in-law's protests, but her husband
can't stand up to his father.'
Guest Stars: Jeff Corey as Frank Brennan, John Schuck as Tom
Brennan, Beth Brickell as Dilsey Brennan.
*****
The story is a of a physically and mentally abused woman,
Dilsey Brennan, who is controlled by her nasty, weak husband, Tom, and even more
obnoxious, partially deranged father Frank. She still dreams of bettering
herself and her home.
Tom accidentally shoots Hoss while hunting. The father and brother want to let
Hoss die to avoid trouble with the law but Dilsey, the only decent Brennan,
wants to nurse him back to health. Hoss is initially dependent upon Dilsey and
she on him to be rescued.
Eventually Hoss does escape, the evil father is killed in a shoot-out and
Dilsey continues her life with Tom.
The "single pilgrim" title is a line from a poetry book that Hoss is reading
– the single pilgrim being surrounded by enemies as Dilsey and Hoss were. Hoss
gives Dilsey his book at the end to encourage her.
This episode promised so much since it was written by the outstanding writer
Suzanne Clauser who gave us "Different Pines, Same Wind" and
"The Stillness Within" yet it ends up as an abysmally bad episode.
William Wiard was an experienced director (e.g. the excellent "Winter Kill")
and Suzanne Clauser a marvellous writer, especially of women's parts. Dan
certainly gives of his best, even though Hoss's main role seems to be thwarted
escape. The story line of abuse in a family was very serious, sadly still
relevant and could have been a classic Hoss episode. I am left wondering whether
the studio demanded major changes in the portrayals.
The Brennans come across as a down market version of the "Beverley Hillbillies"
rather than as a dreadfully dysfunctional family who have had few opportunities
in life. At times Dilsey resembled a demented chicken on the loose, rather than
a woman struggling with abuse and poverty. When I listened to just the words of
the script they were well written but the portrayal was terrible. I didn't know
whether to give in to boredom or just laugh at much of the ham acting.
Comment : Beth Brickell was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Dilsey
and I find that unbelievable. I found this episode to be even dafter than
"Dark Star" which at least allowed Joe to be his usual charismatic
self. Apparently Lorne turned down the Cartwright role in "A Single
Pilgrim". I don't know why but he certainly made the correct choice! I
gather that Dan was becoming bored by this time and I'm not surprised with an
episode like this.