Watching "The Fugitive" for the first time (on the DVD sets) - incredible series! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Latka Gravas · 05-05-2021, 11:44 PM

Recently started watching The Fugitive for the very first time. I'm seeing this on the old DVD sets.

-The PQ is, overall, excellent on these DVD's. Very impressed, especially given that this is an older show.

-I don't typically watch older b&w shows, but this format really works for The Fugitive. It adds to the "noir" atmosphere/vibe, and is perfect for the show/storyline. I know some of the later episodes are in color, but I'm glad that these early ones aren't.

-It's interesting how Kimble inadvertently gets caught up in other people's lives when trying to help them - and this ends up becoming detrimental to him because he draws unwanted attention to himself. This is obviously something he's fully aware of. In addition, he always draws suspicion/hostility from many he comes into contact with, because they justifiably wonder why someone that's obviously as educated as he is, etc. is working on menial jobs - when he sounds/looks like he could do a lot better. This makes them think (in some cases) that he's "spying" on them and/or has some kind of ulterior motive for being on that job - or, that he's on the run from the authorities, etc. The end result is that - for the most part - he has to "skip town" at the end of every episode. And, this is probably something he would have had to do anyway, given that Gerard is one step behind him at any given time.

-The show also made me think about how much easier it was for a drifter like Kimble to effectively function by going from job to job & city to city, etc. & also be anonymous back in the early-late 1960's (the setting of the show). That was before my time, but my understanding was that during that era & probably even well into the '70's/early '80's, it was much more difficult to check people's credentials (SSN, work history, birthplace, etc.). Conversely, now everything is computerized & it's very easy to check up on people - at the click of a button.

-D. Janssen is extremely well-cast in the role of RK. He does a very convincing job of being aloof/secretive around strangers & being evasive when asked personal questions about his past (for obvious reasons). But, at the same time, he does go above & beyond and tries to help people when he thinks it's important. Going along with this, he has a very strong sense of justice/fairness.

As with other Quinn Martin productions, the show features a lot of great guest stars, including: Vera Miles, Brian Keith, Sandy Denis, etc.

Latka Gravas · 05-05-2021, 11:45 PM

Here are some individual episode reviews from the S01, Volume 1 DVD set. Though all of the episodes are either good or great, these are just some that particularly stood out for me:

"The Witch" - extremely unsettling & somewhat creepy episode, with elements of psychological horror. Kimble is a delivery truck driver in rural Missouri, and unintentionally upsets the disturbed child of a local family. She ends up telling a lie about him and a local school teacher, which causes serious problems for both of them.

"Nightmare at Northoak" - Kimble is resting in an open field, when a school-bus rushes past him & crashes - due to a blown-out tire. Kimble selflessly rescues the children & the bus driver off of the bus before it explodes, and then gets injured in the process. While he's recuperating & everyone in town sees him as a hero, he unfortunately attracts unwanted attention.

"See Hollywood and Die" - Kimble is working as a gas station attendant, when he & a women customer are kidnapped by two dangerous criminals who have just robbed the gas station. Kimble pretends to be a thief who has a "job" lined up that he is willing to cut the two in on - in order to buy time so he & can figure out how to get out of the situation. This is one of my favorite episodes in the series (so far), given that it really illustrates how quick-thinking Kimble has to be in order to survive being on the run for such an extended period of time. Co-starring one of my favorite actresses from the 1960's/1970's, the sultry Brenda Vaccaro (Midnight Cowboy, The Streets of San Francisco, etc.)

"Glass Tightrope" - Kimble is working as a store clerk, and witnesses his boss accidentally kill someone in the store parking lot late at night. He has to get involved in order to keep an innocent man from being framed for the crime.

05-05-2021, 11:44 PM	#1
Latka Gravas Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 27, 2019 Location: United States Posts: 396	Watching "The Fugitive" for the first time (on the DVD sets) - incredible series! Recently started watching The Fugitive for the very first time. I'm seeing this on the old DVD sets. -The PQ is, overall, excellent on these DVD's. Very impressed, especially given that this is an older show. -I don't typically watch older b&w shows, but this format really works for The Fugitive. It adds to the "noir" atmosphere/vibe, and is perfect for the show/storyline. I know some of the later episodes are in color, but I'm glad that these early ones aren't. -It's interesting how Kimble inadvertently gets caught up in other people's lives when trying to help them - and this ends up becoming detrimental to him because he draws unwanted attention to himself. This is obviously something he's fully aware of. In addition, he always draws suspicion/hostility from many he comes into contact with, because they justifiably wonder why someone that's obviously as educated as he is, etc. is working on menial jobs - when he sounds/looks like he could do a lot better. This makes them think (in some cases) that he's "spying" on them and/or has some kind of ulterior motive for being on that job - or, that he's on the run from the authorities, etc. The end result is that - for the most part - he has to "skip town" at the end of every episode. And, this is probably something he would have had to do anyway, given that Gerard is one step behind him at any given time. -The show also made me think about how much easier it was for a drifter like Kimble to effectively function by going from job to job & city to city, etc. & also be anonymous back in the early-late 1960's (the setting of the show). That was before my time, but my understanding was that during that era & probably even well into the '70's/early '80's, it was much more difficult to check people's credentials (SSN, work history, birthplace, etc.). Conversely, now everything is computerized & it's very easy to check up on people - at the click of a button. -D. Janssen is extremely well-cast in the role of RK. He does a very convincing job of being aloof/secretive around strangers & being evasive when asked personal questions about his past (for obvious reasons). But, at the same time, he does go above & beyond and tries to help people when he thinks it's important. Going along with this, he has a very strong sense of justice/fairness. As with other Quinn Martin productions, the show features a lot of great guest stars, including: Vera Miles, Brian Keith, Sandy Denis, etc.
	Last edited by Latka Gravas; 07-15-2023 at 12:25 AM.

05-05-2021, 11:45 PM	#2
Latka Gravas Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 27, 2019 Location: United States Posts: 396	Here are some individual episode reviews from the S01, Volume 1 DVD set. Though all of the episodes are either good or great, these are just some that particularly stood out for me: "The Witch" - extremely unsettling & somewhat creepy episode, with elements of psychological horror. Kimble is a delivery truck driver in rural Missouri, and unintentionally upsets the disturbed child of a local family. She ends up telling a lie about him and a local school teacher, which causes serious problems for both of them. "Nightmare at Northoak" - Kimble is resting in an open field, when a school-bus rushes past him & crashes - due to a blown-out tire. Kimble selflessly rescues the children & the bus driver off of the bus before it explodes, and then gets injured in the process. While he's recuperating & everyone in town sees him as a hero, he unfortunately attracts unwanted attention. "See Hollywood and Die" - Kimble is working as a gas station attendant, when he & a women customer are kidnapped by two dangerous criminals who have just robbed the gas station. Kimble pretends to be a thief who has a "job" lined up that he is willing to cut the two in on - in order to buy time so he & can figure out how to get out of the situation. This is one of my favorite episodes in the series (so far), given that it really illustrates how quick-thinking Kimble has to be in order to survive being on the run for such an extended period of time. Co-starring one of my favorite actresses from the 1960's/1970's, the sultry Brenda Vaccaro (Midnight Cowboy, The Streets of San Francisco, etc.) "Glass Tightrope" - Kimble is working as a store clerk, and witnesses his boss accidentally kill someone in the store parking lot late at night. He has to get involved in order to keep an innocent man from being framed for the crime.