Kurt Davos, an immigrant blacksmith, is traveling to California with Gretchen, a Boston Terrier. He quickly becomes well-liked, arguably the favorite member of the wagon train, because he helps people whenever possible without any expectation of recompense. Gretchen is also well-liked by seemingly all of the wagon train members except one.
That one member, Florence Hastings, doesn't merely dislike Gretchen. She has an acute phobia of dogs, which seems irrational until some of her tragic history is revealed late in the episode. That phobia apparently extends to all animals and manifests itself when a bull chases her and she becomes paralyzed with fear. Although Florence has nearly killed Gretchen on two separate occasions (once with a frying pan and once with a gun), Kurt rushes to her aid and wrestles with the bull until other men arrive on the scene to lasso the perturbed animal.
Kurt is there again when Florence, the last remaining passenger after the others have disembarked, gets trapped on a runaway wagon. Kurt manages to save Florence from any harm, but he is so gravely injured that he must depart the train. Wooster, who initially thought Gretchen was strange but gradually grew to love her, puts money in a hat and passes it around. Other members of the train give testimony about the help they received from Kurt, who always refused any sort of payment in return.
Despite her fear of Gretchen, Florence volunteers to care for a paralyzed Kurt and promises to never harm the little dog. Unfortunately and purely by accident, she is unable to keep her promise. But this is just one more wrinkle in an inspirational story that is centered on a dog and unexpected physical challenges but encompasses important truths about willpower and the capacity of the human spirit.
Wagon Train features many fine acting performances, but Eddie Albert as Kurt Davos is one of the best and Gretchen deserves a lot of credit. Those who love dogs will surely enjoy certain canine nuances throughout the episode, but anyone who has ever overcome tragedy or supported a person in any way who has overcome tragedy, etc. Can also find plenty to appreciate.
P. S. - My late dear friend, who died unexpectedly at a relatively young age, lived with Boston Terriers. Like Gretchen, they were divinely sweet yet there's little doubt they would've savagely protected my friend to their own deaths.
It's also interesting that Wooster paraphrases the inimitable Mark Twain in this episode, suggesting that a starving dog won't bite if you feed him and make him prosperous. However, that is just the first part of the quote. "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man."
That one member, Florence Hastings, doesn't merely dislike Gretchen. She has an acute phobia of dogs, which seems irrational until some of her tragic history is revealed late in the episode. That phobia apparently extends to all animals and manifests itself when a bull chases her and she becomes paralyzed with fear. Although Florence has nearly killed Gretchen on two separate occasions (once with a frying pan and once with a gun), Kurt rushes to her aid and wrestles with the bull until other men arrive on the scene to lasso the perturbed animal.
Kurt is there again when Florence, the last remaining passenger after the others have disembarked, gets trapped on a runaway wagon. Kurt manages to save Florence from any harm, but he is so gravely injured that he must depart the train. Wooster, who initially thought Gretchen was strange but gradually grew to love her, puts money in a hat and passes it around. Other members of the train give testimony about the help they received from Kurt, who always refused any sort of payment in return.
Despite her fear of Gretchen, Florence volunteers to care for a paralyzed Kurt and promises to never harm the little dog. Unfortunately and purely by accident, she is unable to keep her promise. But this is just one more wrinkle in an inspirational story that is centered on a dog and unexpected physical challenges but encompasses important truths about willpower and the capacity of the human spirit.
Wagon Train features many fine acting performances, but Eddie Albert as Kurt Davos is one of the best and Gretchen deserves a lot of credit. Those who love dogs will surely enjoy certain canine nuances throughout the episode, but anyone who has ever overcome tragedy or supported a person in any way who has overcome tragedy, etc. Can also find plenty to appreciate.
P. S. - My late dear friend, who died unexpectedly at a relatively young age, lived with Boston Terriers. Like Gretchen, they were divinely sweet yet there's little doubt they would've savagely protected my friend to their own deaths.
It's also interesting that Wooster paraphrases the inimitable Mark Twain in this episode, suggesting that a starving dog won't bite if you feed him and make him prosperous. However, that is just the first part of the quote. "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man."
