Lew Bridgeman (a fine performance by Bo Hopkins) and Joe Caldwell (the always excellent Stephen McHattie) are two longtime best friends who served together in the Vietnam war. Lew and Joe wind up fiercely clashing with each other over Lew's fetching wife Rae (a luminous and appealing portrayal by the lovely Kim Lankford), whom both men are in love with. Director David Wickes, working from an edgy and involving script by Stanford Whitmore, relates the gripping triangle drama story at a steady pace, builds a good deal of suspense, and expertly stages the taut and thrilling climactic hunting set piece in which the two old buddies turn on each other. Hopkins and McHattie do sterling work in the lead roles. John Ireland contributes a stand-out cameo as crusty World War II veteran Jack Guttman. Moreover, there's a powerful and provocative central message about how passion and obsession can drive men to brutal and dangerous extremes and the grim lasting psychological aftermath of the Vietnam war. The tragic ending packs a strong emotional punch. As a sweet added bonus, the luscious Lankford bares her nice breasts in a steamy pool table sex scene with McHattie. Paul Van der Linden's polished cinematography gives the episode an attractive bright look. Michel Rubini's shuddery'n'twangy score hits the harmonic spot. Well worth watching for fans of this series.
2 Reviews
A tale of lust, jealousy, and betrayal. Great episode.
b_kite14 April 2022
Joe Caldwell (Stephen McHattie) is having an affair with Rae Bridgeman (Kim Lankford) who happens to be the wife of his best friend and Vietnam buddy Lew Bridgeman (Bo Hopkins). Joe feels bad about the whole thing and wants to end it, against Rae's wishes. However, what the two don't know is that Lew is fully aware of the affair and after a visit from a World War II veteran Jack Guttman (John Ireland) to the twos local diner who praises that the boys in Vietnam "should have been able to finish what they started" does Lew finally decide to finish the both of them off on a late-night hunting trip as tragedy awaits them all. Director David Wickes who also helmed the two great episodes "Lovesounds" and "Face to Face" returns for a third and final time to give us a fun story that's the least of the three mentioned but is made by some nice star power in Hopkins, McHattie, and a brief appearance from screen legend John Ireland. This one centers around jealousy and betrayal which as figured leads to the downfall of our three characters in an ironic twist which sees fate dishing out its own brand of justice for all involved as everyone pays for their sins.
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