Customs of the Country

 first shown February 6th 1972

 

'Ben, Hoss and Joe go to Agua Santos, Mexico. Ben sends Joe to hire some help, and sends Hoss after him when he doesn't return. Hoss finds Joe in 'jail' where each afternoon, he's allowed to sunbathe with a harem of women. He removed his hat in church, which is desecration in Agua Santos. Hoss tries to get Joe a speedy trial, but Joe doesn't mind being jailed.'

 

Guest Stars: Annette Charles as Carmen, Mike De Anda as the Blacksmith, Tony De Costa as Jose, Maria Grimm as Leonora, David Renard as Padre, Alan Oppenheimer as Ernesto, Pilar Seurat as Ines, Alfonso Arau as Simon.

 

 

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This episode contains some wonderful Hoss `n' Joe comedy scenes with everything we have come to expect in terms of getting themselves into a pickle, wonderful expressions and perfectly timed repartee. Although the script is silly in terms of a Mexican town with bizarre customs, Dan and Michael's irrepressible sense of humour along with a fine comedic performance by Alfonso Arau as the sheriff make for good entertainment.

The story opens with Ben demanding an explanation of why Hoss and Joe are late meeting him and then the "Well Pa…." story begins with a voiceover by Dan. Hoss had gone in search of Joe who had gone to the town of Agua Santos to hire hands only to be arrested for taking his hat off in church.

Hoss searches the town and encounters peculiar customs such as the engaged women wearing metal fidelity rings on their legs and the quick talking Sheriff Simon with an answer to everything. He is amazed to find the arrested Joe happily relaxing in the sun and being waited on by beautiful women. There is also spectacular entertainment from horse riding acrobats. (I liked the way the townspeople called Joe "Joselito" as the Spanish version of Joseph!)

After many ramifications, a trial ensues in which Hoss succeeds in freeing Joe only for the pair of them to be re-arrested because Hoss waved his arms in court. With the help of the judge's daughter Ines, Hoss and Joe get the sheriff drunk in order to escape but Hoss also gets drunk. I was rolling around laughing at Dan's wonderful performance as Hoss getting more and more inebriated (just watch Dan's eyes!) and also at Joe having to support him and drag him to the horses.

Of course they manage to get recaptured and Hoss finds himself in court for failing to honour his "betrothal" to Ines when he was only being courteous. Hoss gives a wonderful explanation with some great expressions of approval from Joe. Hoss declares that he cannot take Ines from her true love who turns out to be Simon so everyone is happy and the brothers leave Ague Santos behind.

The story then comes back to their meeting with Ben who decides to see the town for himself. Knowing that Ben is sure to commit some misdemeanour, Hoss and Joe elect to go fishing and hunting during their spare time. The final scene has a super Ben-in-a-huff-moment and wonderful camaraderie and affection between Hoss/Joe and Dan/Michael.

Even if the story is rather bizarre, the performances from Dan and Michael carry the episode. How much fun and laughter we would have missed if the studio had had its way in refusing to allow comedy episodes in Bonanza!