It seems like every series that ran long enough during a certain era of television did an occult/voodoo themed episode like yesterday’s. Such series also had to do an amnesia episode. When they go back to back, you kind of feel lie the show is just filling in the blanks with expected plot devices. I cannot complain too much, however. “The Night of the Amnesiac” is quite good in spite of its unimaginative plot complication.Jim is escorting a supply of small pox vaccine for the US Department of Health, a agency which has never existed, to halt an epidemic out west. His stage coach is robbed y a gang of outlaws who plan to use the vaccine as ransom for the return of their imprisoned boss, Furman Crotty. Crotty is played by Ed Asner. The character is not much different than his character in El Dorado. Deliberate casting, I imagine.
Jim’ head is grazed by a bullet during the robbery. He awaken with no memory of who he is, but still has his fighting skills and heroic sense of chivalry. They are pt on display when he rescues a girl from beig manhandled and eventually encounters the robbers again, even though he has no clue who they are.
The interesting point about “The Night of the Amnesiac” is how the focus is split on Jim and Artie equally. Jim’s plight does not take center stage as much screen time is given over to Artie’s search for the missing vaccine. In fact, the return of Jim’s memory isan implausible, trite occurrence. He sees Artie about to be shot and suddenly remembers who they both are.
The bigger twist is Crotty’s plan to replace the small pox vaccine with ordinary water. With small pox having wiped out the population, he can rebuild the country in his own image. While it may seem o under normal circumstances for a crook like him to have such grandiose visions, Asner plays it believably. Crotty is a psychotic genius.
“The Nit of the Amnesiac” does have its issues beyond ’Hollywood” amnesia and creating fictitious government agencies. Anachronisms include mentions of an ouija board (invented in 1901), Pinnochio (not published in the US until 1911) ad genocide (first coined in1944.) Pedantic complaints, ut I still have them. Nevertheless, “The Night of the Amnesiac” is a hihligt in the generally lackluster third season.
Rating: *** (out of 5)
