Part VII   The Sheriff and Deputy     Undressed Under Duress

          Hulu's 2013-2014 Western Series - “Quick Draw”

In 1875 a new sheriff arrives in the quirky town of Great Bend, Kansas. He brings a Harvard degree with emphasis in forensics and an enthusiasm to set this town straight. He plans to use his scholarly knowledge of the emerging science to solve crimes. And are there ever a lot of crimes in Great Bend. This television show stars John Lehr as Sheriff John Henry Hoyle and his loyal, yet reluctant deputy, Eli Brocias played by Nick Brown. It's been reported that this western is partially improvised which added to my interest. The series lasted only two seasons but is pretty funny entertainment in my book. I found myself wishing for a couple more seasons.

In my favorite episode, Sheriff John Henry is called to the coroner's office to find three very dead men laid out stiff on slabs having been stripped to their union suits. Now this is a puzzle. John Henry is going to get to the bottom of this mystery. He and deputy Eli set out in pursuit of the murderer. After a long, dusty trip they take refuge at a well kept, two story farm house. They hope to refresh themselves before traveling further. The inhabitants are an attractive young woman living with her parents. The boys are graciously asked to join them for lunch and drink. Deputy Eli soon quietly disappears while John Henry is too infatuated with the maiden to notice his absence. He imbibes a tasty alcoholic beverage with the young maiden.

It is soon apparent that Eli has been abducted by the parents, taken to the basement, gagged, and undressed under duress down to his red union suit. He is bound to a chair and held at knife point by the maiden's mother. John Henry, oblivious to Eli's plight, is soon knocked unconscious as well and is dragged to the basement. And wouldn't you know he too is tied up in his union suit.

That evening the boys are forced to perform vaudevillian acts in their long underwear for the entertainment of the threesome. Self conscious to be performing in their union suits, they persevere, singing and dancing. The results are pretty hilarious.

John Henry and Eli are once again tied to chairs. The young maiden hangs around talking to the captives, hungry for conversation, hungry for eventual murder. Then for reasons you'll have to watch the show, John Henry wiggles out of his ropes, grabs the knife the girl is holding, stabs her hand pinning it to the table and releases Eli. 

Then with the maiden screaming, the boys run up the stairs and out the door in their union suits and boots. No explanation as to why they were allowed to keep on their boots. And never mind how their captors managed to strip their britches off over those boots. Across the Kansas prairie the boys flee pursued by the maiden and her parents. Pa carries a shot gun. The fun times are over.

John Henry and Eli become so exhausted they can't go on. The union suited pair stop to rest in the hot sun. Now surely they'll be shot and killed by the rifle toting daddy. But alas, they look back at their pursuers and discover the girl collapsed. She is being attended to by the older folks. 

Perhaps the boys can get away and save themselves after all. John Henry and Eli help each other up and limp up the hill. Still horseless and in their union suits, they journey back towards Great Bend.

We, the viewers, are not privy to how they are greeted back in town in only their underwear. But never mind, you can imagine the town folks' relief to see their lawmen back safely and sound. The series, only a half hour in length, leaves loose strings in most episodes. Nevertheless, this fickle western comedy is most entertaining for union suit fans. Check this show out and enjoy.