SEASON 7
EPISODE
1
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY, GENERAL LEE
The
Dukes celebrate the General's birthday by recollecting the circumstances by
which they first acquired their car.
This is
one of those episodes that fans recall fondly, which makes it all the more disappointing
on first viewing. The flashback story idea is certainly a good one and many
charming little touches abound (Rosco having a
moustache, for example; and Daisy getting her job at the Boars Nest), but the
events related here don't add up to the information given in the first few
episodes of Season One. Instead, we get a 'crooks on the run' plot and a car
race to test the General's mettle. This latter event is a dubious excuse to
foist several ghastly model-car sequences on the dumb viewers, coupled with the
not-so-subtle hint that the General may have some sort
of magic inside it.
So,
forget about the souped up racing engine that the
Duke's bought second hand (as we were specifically informed seven years
earlier, back in Season 1); the General behaves the way it does because it's a
magical car, obviously! Oh, how far the
mighty have fallen.
Apart
from those contrivances, there are moments to enjoy, especially the
If you
were never fortunate to have watched the show from the beginning, you’ll
probably enjoy this. Everyone else ought to find it a dubious way to re-write
history (something that
ROSCO
MOMENT The episode is worth watching just to
see his magnificent moustache.
BEST
STUNT The General's very first crash is actually
rather good and performed for real.
***
EPISODE
2
WELCOME,
WAYLON
The
Balladeer comes to Hazzard with his mobile C&W
Museum, only to have it stolen.
It's good
to see Waylon at last and he puts in rather a good, laid-back performance.
Particularly amusing are the scenes when his voice-over describes what his
character on-screen is doing! Also
prominent as a guest character is former Playboy Centrefold,
Shannon Tweed who, like Waylon, also proves to have some acting ability.
It's
interesting to see that Boss is back to his usual scheming, but it's not
altogether pleasing. Season 6 had, after all, spent most of it's
twenty-two episodes turning Boss' character slowly around; and it's somewhat
disconcerting to see him revert so quickly to his former self.
However,
as with so many episodes in the Seventh season, a fairly promising story is
ruined by far too many ludicrous model shots.
If you
close your eye's tight shut during the ‘yeehaah’ moments, you’ll probably enjoy this.
BEST
STUNT Not much genuine action here, but
Luke's explosion in the path of the Lorry is quite spectacular.
***
EPISODE
3
DR.
JECKYLL AND MR. DUKE
When
Luke accidentally drinks a strange chemical, he turns into an evil version of
himself.
Yes,
that’s the plot; I’m not kidding you. In the producer's desperate attempts to
give the Seventh season some extra zing, they were not
loath to try any bizarre plot device. Actually, Tom Wopat
is rather good here and the scenes of him getting lecherous in the Boars Nest
are great fun. But, just when you've managed to overcome the contrivances of
the story, up come the 'toy car' sequences and it suddenly becomes hard to
fight the strong temptation to use the fast-forward button. The scene where Bo
and Enos jump his Patrol car onto the bouncy pile of
tires seems to be a prime contender for 'silliest scene you can possibly think
of’; and it's this tendency for the 'toy sequences' to outdo themselves for
sheer daftness that positively ruins these episodes.
Watch
only with caution.
BEST
STUNT If someone can find any that are
actually genuine, can they please let me know?
*
EPISODE
4
ROBOT P.
COLTRANE
Rosco is replaced with a clunky Robot named Bobby Joe.
Often
cited as one of the worst Dukes episodes, this isn't actually that bad; but
what it needed was a much firmer comedic base. If Bobby Joe had been as
incompetent as Rosco (even uttering synthetic robotic
cries of "I love it, I love it!") this might just have made it as a
camp classic. Unfortunately, everyone seems loath to step over that line and
(although there are many funny scenes of the Robot running amuck) most of this
episode is played with too straight a face.
There is
one priceless moment with Rosco in the Boars Nest,
though, which ranks up there with the best of them. James Best is constantly
enjoyable throughout and (as a bonus) quite a lot of the action is real.
It's not
surprising, though, that the crooks want to keep the Robot hidden from view to
begin with. A clunkier, more cumbersome and
inefficient machine it would be difficult to imagine!
ROSCO
MOMENT A wonderful scene has him sitting at
the bar in the Boars Nest, drinking small amounts of milk out of a whisky
glass. The line "You can leave the bottle" is just brilliant.
BEST
STUNT The scenes with the crooks lorry are
actually quite impressive, particularly it's jump at the beginning. As for most
of the rest, it’s "models ahoy!"
**
EPISODE
5
NO MORE
MR. NICE GUY
Whenever
Boss gets bopped on the head, he either turns into a saint; or back to his old
self again (depending on which state he happens to be in at the time)
.
At last,
an honestly enjoyable episode. Apart from the use of one model shot (which is
actually rather fun and played entirely for laughs) all the action here is real
(either re-cycled from Season 5 or performed for the first time) and this is a
huge bonus to a story that was rather fun to start with. Boss' comic schizophrenia
works extremely well (Rosco is always trying to bop
him on the head whenever he's saintly; while the Dukes are constantly trying
the same thing when he's his usual self!) and seems to get funnier with the
increasing frequency of boppings!
The
villains (particularly the character of Billie Jean) are used well and the
saintly version of Boss is a scream. Sorrell Booke
turns in a really hilarious double performance and the scene of his
misconstruing Rosco's affection for Lulu is
hysterical and beautifully timed.
This is
one of those episodes's that comes to the rescue of
the series. More please.
ROSCO
MOMENT "This is going to hurt me more
than you!"
BEST
STUNT Billie Jean's car flies out of the
Lorry in reverse.
****
EPISODE
6
THE DUKES
IN
The
Dukes are hired as stunt advisors/bodyguards for a film star on his latest
The
"collecting on the star's Life Insurance policy" plot was last seen
in Season 6 ('Play it again, Luke'), but it works well enough here as a strong
reason to have the Duke's leave Hazzard and uproot
temporarily to
The
episode switches back-and-forth between the 'thriller' plot (not badly done at
all) and the 'comedy' plot (Boss and Rosco being
pursued around the Film studios - quite fun, but obviously padding). The
depiction of the film-making process is bizarrely garbled (just point cameras
at moving vehicles and shoot, seemingly without any form of preparation!) but
the action is well put together and (most importantly) genuine (except for one
rather dodgy shot of a trundling army Tank at the very end). Seeing the General
fly through the air and smashing into a pile of barrels on top of a moving
truck is so much more exciting when you know that there are actually stunt
people inside those vehicles, potentially risking life and limb. It's primarily
for these genuine action scenes that the episode is worth watching, although
it's fun to see the Dukes out of their natural element, even though
ROSCO
MOMENT Having Flash become
a film-star (much to Boss' dismay!).
BEST
STUNT The flight through the barrels is
good and rightfully spectacular; but the scene where the General intercepts the
path of the runaway car as it smashes through the film set is real
'fender-bending' stuff!
***
EPISODE
7
COOL
HANDS, BO AND LUKE
Bo and
Luke are lured into neighbouring
A startling scenario, which simply doesn't translate well
onto the screen.
Morgan
Woodward (as Claibourne) is quite excellent and by
far the most evil character in the series history. Brion
James (in his second appearance) is as sinister as ever and the remainder of
the Osage ‘law’ is well portrayed, but this entire episode feels extremely
uncomfortable. Perhaps it's the fact that a comedy about prisoners being
tortured is just in too bad taste; or the use of re-used footage from a recent
episode ('The ransom of Hazzard county');or the usual
dreadful 'miniature' shots that top and tail this episode. Or maybe even the
fact that, after seven years, Osage is yet another neighbouring
County we've never heard of before. (Chickasaw evidently wasn't on, as Sheriff Little would be quite inappropriate for all of this).
Whatever
the reasons, this is a pretty uncomfortable episode. Only Boss' "torture
by food" works well, because it logically exploits his gluttony to full
comedic effect.
ROSCO
MOMENT His efforts to restrain his 'little
fat buddy' during the "food torture" are brilliant and the episode's
best moment.
BEST
STUNT The action is either re-used from
earlier episodes, or ludicrously faked. Very disappointing.
**
EPISODE
8
GO WEST,
YOUNG DUKES
In a
giant flashback, we learn how the Duke family acquired the Farm.
A
positively charming outing, this neatly solves the question "how to make a
Dukes Seventh season episode while avoiding the use of miniatures?" By setting it a hundred
years earlier, of course. This also gives the writers and performers a
real chance to have fun with the formula (all of Hazzard's
'wild west' characters are clearly based on their 20th century descendants),
the 'western' format (part homage, part spoof) and some absolutely terrific
comedy scenes. There are so many enjoyable moments, that it's impossible to
list them all, but mention must be made of James Best and Sorrel Booke, who send up venerated 'wild west' characters
something rotten (the scene where Thadeus Hogg takes
a bath is fantastic and brings tears to the eyes).
Only the
stupid model shot at the end spoils the atmosphere, but you can easily
fast-forward through that bit.
ROSCO MOMENT Rufus Z. Coltrane. His spoof of John Wayne is
terrific, espcially the use of his eye-patch!
BEST
STUNT The wild-west theme enables some
good equine stunts, especially the scene where the Dukes drop down onto the
horses.
****
EPISODE
9
CALE
YARBOROUGH COMES TO HAZZARD
For a
young boy facing major surgery, only a visit by Cale
Yarborough will make him feel happier. But the racing driver has problems of
his own.
This is
one of those episodes that completely fails to grab
the attention. Bringing back Cale Yarborough is not
the sort of thing that springs to mind as a ratings winner, but at least he's
better to watch than some truly insulting model work for the majority of the
action sequences. The use a young (surprisingly healthy looking) kid who can
apparently only be cured by the site of Mr Yarborough
is sickly at best. And Rosco (perhaps due to James
Best's Direction duties) seems terribly subdued.
Even the Coy
and Vance stories are preferable to this!
This episode remains bearable only
for the occasional sight of some decent (proper) stunt work.
BEST
STUNT There is one excellent chase scene
close to the beginning, involving some genuinely impressive and authentic stunt
work. Why they had to attempt to top it later on with some absolutely appalling
shots of a Toy helicopter and a model car is anyone's guess. Did they actually
think that the viewers would fall for it?
*
EPISODE
10
DANGER ON
THE HAZZARD EXPRESS
Boss
cooks up a plan to ram a freight train with a remote controlled car. But crooks
decide to steal the General for the same purpose and take the money for
themselves.
A stupid
idea (a smallish car being able to knock a freight Train over) is almost disguised
by lightening fast direction from Sorrell Booke, who
cuts everything together with such speed that you don't have too much time to
think about the silliness of it all.
This is
junk of the first order, but at least it's fun and
exciting; with a good attempt to eliminate model work and concentrate on real
action instead. Indeed, it’s sometimes difficult to tell if a stunt
incorporates model vehicles or not; which is praise indeed to Booke's skill.
Nothing
sophisticated or plausible here, but it's a lot of fun.
ROSCO
MOMENT He actually succeeds in getting over
Hazzard Pond in his Patrol car! It's conceivable that
this stunt was actually achieved by the use of a miniature; in which case it's
a good example of the sort of thing that can be done with the proper
directorial and editing skill behind it. If all model work looked as convincing
as this, I wouldn't be complaining!
BEST
STUNT Boss' car being wiped out is good
auto-destructive stuff. But the standout action sequence involves the Dukes running
frantically away from their out-of-control pursuing car, which promptly leaps
over them; a truly daring stunt sequence.
***
EPISODE
11
SITTIN'
DUKES
When a
convict escapes from Prison, he seeks revenge on Luke Duke, the man who put him
there.
An
interesting, well-written story with some surprisingly dramatic moments. Judson Scott (as Benson) is
chillingly cold-hearted (he also played the villain in 'Witness: Jesse Duke')
and his threats toward Luke and the rest of the Duke family ring true. His accomplice,
Hixx, is a pitiful character whom you almost feel
sorry for. Less sympathetic is Sheriff Little in his
final appearance; the man is so irascible this time around that he locks up
just about everyone that he can find!
Once
again this season the episode is only spoilt by the hopeless model shots (the
Helicopter is laughable) and the final 'stunt' seems particularly fraudulant, as we've already seen it before for
'real'. Why not at the very least re-use
the footage?
Also
worthy of mention is the sub-plot of Boss on a diet. This is extremely funny
and very well played by Booke.
ROSCO
MOMENT He only just manages to stop Boss from eating
his own Goldfish.
BEST
STUNT Once again, it’s all too cheaty. Although the Truck crash is probably about as good
as model stunts can get.
***
EPISODE
12
SKY
BANDITS OVER HAZZARD
Crooks
rob armoured cars by flying off with them. Bo and
Luke initially get the blame, but are allowed to hunt down the real
perpetrators.
A standard
'a crime is committed and Bo and Luke are wrongfully arrested for it' plot. You
can pretty much fill in all the blanks for yourself. However, this episode heralds the end of the
Model shots. It may not be the most exciting outing of the series, but at least
the chases are all real.
Miz Tisdale makes her final appearance (over-acting like mad) and the Microlites are seen again (although they have hardly any
point).
Boss and Rosco exercising in spandex is reason enough to watch this
episode. That and Bo's impersonation of the Sheriff.
ROSCO
MOMENT His 'aerobatics' are quite possibly
the silliest thing he's ever done.
BEST
STUNT All fairly subdued, but the General
does manage to go on quite a bumpy ride.
***
EPISODE
13
THE
HAUNTING OF J.D. HOGG
Boss
adjusts the will of a late relative so that all the money goes to him and not
to charity.
Despite
being directed by Tom Wopat, this has little creative
or comedic flair. It was clearly intended to be far wittier, but the faked
haunting is just too overplayed. At least the story has pace and the
numerous chase scenes move quickly; but Wopat is
capable of far better.
BEST
STUNT Now that model shots are a thing of
the past the viewer can finally enjoy the chase scenes without fear of
embarrassment. Consequently, the General's jump is a breath of fresh air. The
final chase isn't bad either.
**
EPISODE
14
WHEN YOU
WISH UPON A HOGG
Hughie
Hogg returns for one last time; and the scheme is his most ingenious yet.
This is
comic storytelling of the highest order! Yes it's a load of impossible nonesense, but somewhere deep in the heart of the scheme is
a kind of remorseless logic. We know that Boss can be easily taken in by pure
greed and pure greed is what he's tempted with here! The rest of the scheme has been so well
worked-out that you almost feel sorry for Hughie that such a meticulous plan
should be defeated; but then again, it’s also fun to watch the Dukes cottoning
on to what he's doing and slowly putting a spanner in the works. The episode
moves quickly as well.
Kitty
Moffat as The Genie is perfect in the role-playing the tongue-in-cheek part
with a huge nod toward 'Bewitched' and 'I dream of Jeannie'.
ROSCO
MOMENT He's taken in just as easily as
Boss.
BEST
STUNT The opening 5 minutes are terrific
and start the story off with a bang.
****
EPISODE
15
STRANGE
VISITOR TO HAZZARD
When a
small Alien gets lost in Hazzard, it's up to the
Dukes to take him back to his Mother ship.
Yes,
that’s the story.
No, I’m
not kidding.
Yes, the episode's
as awful as it sounds.
No, there
are no model shots.
Yes, the
chases are quite plentiful and use real cars.
No, the
Alien make-up isn't good at all.
Yes,
Daisy wears a really cute sweater with sheep on it.
No, you
won't enjoy this.
Yes,
you’ll be humiliated if any of your friends catch you watching this episode.
BEST
STUNT The panic in
*
EPISODE
16
ENOS AND
DAISY'S WEDDING
Daisy
is the sole eyewitness to a crime in which Enos is
involved. Afraid that her testimony will send him to prison and knowing that a
wife cannot legally testify against her husband, she decides to marry him.
From the
ridiculous to the sublime, one of the very best episodes follows on from one of
the very worst.
This is a
charming and beautifully worked-out storyline and seems to have been created
partly to tie up a loose story thread (the Enos/Daisy
romance has been a continuing story arc since episode 1) and partly to allow
for new stories in a potential eighth season (which was not to be). Once again
the two families team up to exonerate the Deputy and the scenes of unity in
order to defeat a greater crime are heartwarming (Boss, especially, is torn by
his duty of having to arrest Enos against all of his
better instincts). The relentless tracking of the actual culprits is well
handled and provides the thrills in between all the charming character and
romantic moments. Perhaps the flashback sequence goes on a little too long, but
Tom Wopat's direction is well measured and shows
great empathy with the character's plight. The resolution is sweet and not a
letdown.
Another little classic.
ROSCO
MOMENT His fatherly reaction to Daisy in
her wedding dress and his surprisingly wise words are a lovely touch.
BEST
STUNT The villains
write-off their car.
*****
EPISODE
17
OPENING
NIGHT AT THE BOAR'S NEST
When Rosco believes that he is responsible for Boss suddenly
vanishing (he has in fact been abducted by kidnappers) the Dukes have an even
greater motivation to go to the rescue.
John
Schneider co-wrote and directed this final episode and he displays a fine
talent, especially for story pacing.
The
amateur concert is a rather sweet affair and getting all the main characters
gathered together in unity under one roof is a lovely way to end the series.
There are scenes of drama (Lulu receives the ransom demand), pathos (Rosco nearly tears himself apart with grief mixed with
guilt), action (several General Lee jumps that, although seen before, are
probably the most spectacular) and terrific comedy (Boss in a pink frilly
Tutu). The villains are good and there are even scenes of the Duke family
singing together in harmony. This is not a special 'final' episode (although
for a few suspenseful moments you're led to believe that one of the characters
may have actually died) but it's nonetheless a perfectly charming and
delightful way of ending the series.
ROSCO MOMENT 'Coltrano
the Great' (with 'Flasho the Dog') and his beautiful assistant,'Hoggo the Round'.
BEST
STUNT Two of the best jumps are re-played;
and the 'near miss' of Boss at the beginning is a well-choreographed sequence.
****
