Season 1 Overview

The series was losing its audience after that heavy sport story, and somebody must have thought it was a good idea to lighten things up by making a pseudo-comical episode that defies any boundaries. Really.

There’s a lot going on here, so, as a famous cartoon character would teach future generations, “Be prepared” (ominous music plays and a shadow stretches). This episode is both very dramatic and hilarious all the same—not sure for the right reasons though.

Curiously, this episode was written by Dan Gordon (the series headrwriter, same as some earlier episode like the western one and the sport one) on July, and it’s one of the very first episode he wrote for the series (currently, it’s the known second episode he wrote, after the two part sport assignment).

Maybe nobody told him this series was supposed to be serious. Because he tries to here, but with some conflicting moments.

Assignment: Jonathan and Mark are assigned to help a wealthy businessman convinced to be a mythical character to reconcile with his estranged, ruthless son.

So, a construction worker appears while discussing with the co-owner of an important construction enterprise, about to close a very important deal.

Warning: casual masculinity remarks ahead.

Anyway, this was Arthur Krock Jr. played by Jonathan Frakes. The same actor from Star Trek who also directed some episodes in various forms. Now, the Star Trek world is so vast that it’d be impossible to go into the details of what he was actually involved in — just, he’s the same actor.

So, Arthur Krock Jr. later walks towards his sister who readily scolds him for neglecting their dad.

That doesn’t sound weird to me. I mean, any dad sees their kids as some heroes to their eyes (Mark said that to Deke’s father one episode back). However, it will soon become apparent Krock means that literally.

Anyway, Linda then informs him they need a new pair of handymen to look after their place.

Hold on, where did you two come from.

Apparently, they’ve been overhearing them and have been waiting fro the right moment to appear. Sneaky Jonathan.

Plus, here’s one instance of “I’m Jonathan, this is Mark” in their introduction.

And they are hired on the spot. Really, the writers must not have thought of a way to justify them getting the job without references, so they just settled on the idea that they would skip any interview.

And now, times for some explanations.

The one and only King Arthur.

But despite that weird glance Mark throws at Jonathan, they still accept the job. So, Linda takes them to her mansion, which is actually a castle.

On the production: of course, they didn’t actually built a castle for the series. Instead, they used the real Malibu Castle.

Apparently, it was built in the 1970s and took inspiration from Scottish castles. It was bought by a philanthropist — such Mrs. Lawrence — in 1989 and subsequently became known as Malibu Castle Kashan. However, it would be destroyed by a fire in 2007 (basically anything in Malibu gets burned down very frequently, but that’s another story). Just in 2020 the property was bought back and it’s been successfully rebuilt completely.

Back to Highway, they have a very stretched walk that must have been rehearsed to fit the length of their dialogue. I mean, they are unnaturally slow. But it serves for Linda to give them some context about her father and her late mother.

So: Krock Sr. basically lost his mind after the death of his wife and one day just woke up believing he was the king of the round table. Because, as Linda explains: “His name is Arthur and he lives in a castle, so he thought he was THE king Arthur“.

So, it’s all because his father name coincidentally is Arthur that he came to believe he is that Arthur, the king. You know, if he was named Charles it wouldn’t have worked the same.

“That’s all”. I mean, nothing wrong with it. “Live and let live”, that’s a punchline every mom teaches us.

It’s going to be so easy. Just, comply with his folly.

Mark is not sure about it.

Jonathan, instead, seems to be about to laugh.

Not sure if he’s laughing at his friend or at the whole situation. Either way, I don’t think it’s respectful for an angel to do that.

Now, They enter the castle and meet with Arthur Krock Sr.

Again, a father and a son who are named the same. There’s already been a troubled father-son realtionship Jonathan and Mark had to mend previously on Highway, and they were a Sr. and Jr. as well.

Maybe the writers originally intended to use the same names for all the problematic fathers and sons they were going to feature in the series; like, a way symbolic way to convey the idea that, depsite their clashing and their differences, fathers and sons are still alike as they carry the same name. But then they changed their mind on that.

Back to this episode, Krock Sr. theatrically sends Jonathan and Mark away.

However, Jonathan knwos how to deal with him properly.

By just complying with his madness.

Arthur Krock looks puzzled, but Jonathan reassures him right away.

Good point, Jonathan.

Then, Krock stands up and begins calling them some random names just because they sound fancy enough.

Really, they are totally different things. It seems like the writers just looked up on the dictionary for some noble titles and didn’t know what to pick up, so they just randomly threw in some names as long as they sounded old-fashioned.

Anyway, now that he stands it is possible to see the actor a little better: he’s Ron Moody, a British actor known especially for the musical “Oliver”, which earned him an Academy nomination; hard to believe, isn’t it.

Now, for the first time in the episode, Mark looks puzzled by this assignment and questions the man’s sanity. Instead, Jonathan is not the least concerned about it.

Actually, he even adds something very puzzling — which doesn’t make sense at all.

No, hold on a sec: why is Jonathan telling that? Is that an implication that Jonathan is not an angel just like that man is not King Arthur himself? Is he questioning his own identity? But also, Mark is not bothered —actually, his reaction is simply laughing.

What is that reaction supposed to mean, that he lives in a free country and he shouldn’t question other people’s beliefs? Really, better asking no question and just do as Jonathan is doing: comply with this episode’s madness — and there’s more to come.

Next, Linda takes her horse to a local vet because it’s sick. Of course she has a horse — and of course it’s a white one. And it is even called Galahad, just because.

Anyway, she finds the doctor who is packing up, as he’s about to be evicted pretty soon.

Well, she was lucky to find him still there—I mean, she couldn’t just look it up on Google if there were any other doctors around.

So, the vet reveals some company that goes by the name of Krock is driving him off the land, and he vents to her about it.

After this remark, she thinks that moment is as good as any to reveal her brother actually runs the company — but she hastily clears out she’s got nothing to do with it.

Because, you know, she’s just a girl. Or that’s what he must have thought.

So, he reacts by insulting her brother.

Then he compliments her.

First, insulting her family. Then, hitting on her. That’s what people called romanticism in the 80s.

In the meantime, Jonathan talks with the vet’s mother, Gwen, and helps her pack up.

Her name’s Gwen (more on this later) and she’s played by Jean Allison — in the last role of her career. She started out back in the 1950s and appeared on many western TV shows, including Rawhide. Then, after this episode of Highway, she abruptly retired from acting and spent the last forty years of her life privately — without ever speaking on any interview nor making any TV appearance.

Anyway, one curious thing about her acting history: among her roles prior Highway, she had already worked with Michael Landon and Victor French separately: first, she appeared on one episode of Bonanza during its first season in the 1960 — with Michael Landon.

Then, she and French acted together as guest actors in the 15th season of Gunsmoke aired in 1970, coincidentally on the same episode— in which French played a farmer hunting down some Indians who kidnapped his daughter and Allison played his wife.

Back to Highway, The woman complains about the same problem as the vet: that a guy named Krock is driving them off the property to close his deal. So Jonathan informs her that Krock Sr. is also involved in this, and she might as well want to discuss to him about it.

Now, sorry Jonathan, but why don’t you bring that up to him? I mean, you work there and you already know him quite well.

However, Jonathan must have had other plans in mind.

Then, at least you must warn her first of his peculiar condition. You know what I’m talking about.

Thanks Mark. That sums it up pretty well.

Supposedly that afternoon, Jonathan and Mark are doing their job.

Keep Mark in mind, that’s the last time he’ll appear for some time.

Suddenly, they hear someone knocking and Arthur goes to open the door.

Then, she mentions Jonathans sent her.

Because he’s just a worker. How could Jonathan overlook that detail.

So, Jonathan has to find another way.

That’s right. Always remember the rule: comply with his madness and everything will turn out fine.

So, Arthur is persuaded to hear what she has to say, and Jonathan goes at the door and forcibly pulls her in.

Now, that’s comic for two reasons: first, he grabs her and basically forces her to get inside. That seems a little excessive use of force.

Second, because Jonathan doesn’t go out to catch her but he remains at the door. So, it’s as if she’s been waiting behind the door for two minutes (the time Jonathan apologized to Arthur) after Arthur locked her out. Like, any person would have just left and called the police right away after knocking and seeing a man dressed up as a King, but whatever.

Actually, there might be another explanation: Jonathan’s arm stretched far enough to catch her and pull her back — but it’s rather unlikely he’s like Mrs. Incredible, isn’t it.

So, Gwen is rather puzzled by anybody.

That confirms Jonathan didn’t actually warn her in advance about Arthur. Don’t know why he wanted to keep this a secret.

Anyway, Gwen walks up to him and insults him.

I beg your pardon?

No, she didn’t say that. But Jonathan knows better how to get Arthur to listens to her.

That’s right, that Guinevere; probably the only girl living in the US with that name.

Actually, it is among the first thousand most popular names in the country. And it wasn’t that rare in the past, especially the 1920s, which can partly explain that.

Now, that night King Arthur is torn by self-doubt, as he is afraid to go out into the world.

So, this might actually prove he knows he is not really a king somehow. I mean, he doesn’t want to go out because people out there do not recognize him as a king. But, if him himself were absolute certain to be a kig, he wouldn’t need that. Insetad, if he only dwells on this fantasy because he’s in his castle where people do not see him, it reveals he might even aknowledge it is just his fantasy.

But Jonathan has a punchline for that.

So, Arthur has a very preposterous, self-bloated monologue with a thick British accent. Just because.

Let’s cut it short, that’s the essence of it. Very dramatic.

The next day, he dresses up as a knight and charges against a backhoe.

That’s definitely another story.

This time, no squire is there to stop him, but rather a construction worker who recognizes him as an old friend and stops the wrecking.

Then, Arthur tels everybody that he’s still owns part of the Krock’s construction., so he orders as their eployer to interrupt the work right away.

Of course, Krock Jr. is much enraged and confronts Jonathan, telling him what he plans to do now.

So, Krock Jr. wants to have his father declared mentally unstable in order to then oust him from the company.

Hold on, that means his father still hasn’t resigned from his position, which is simply impossible to believe. I mean, Linda said that ever since his wife died he never left his home. Then, he got mad, so never took part in the company’s decisions. With all this, how come he hasn’t been ousted before.

Anyway, Jonathan is not pleased by Krock’s arrogance, and unleashes his power against him.

What’s Jonathan doing, really?

He’s closing the gate on his car.

And kill him, likely.

This now looks like Saw or something.

Jonathan must have gone mad too.

Boy, this episode is like an horror.

And now is more like it.

Next, they skip how he managed to get away safely.

but they show him in the castle where his father doesn’t even recognize him.

So, Arthur Jr. is quite mad (no pu intended).

Just because he called him Lancelot.

Because that’s what fathers should do. Learn that.

Anyway, he lashes out and tells him that the only things his father ever taught him was caring about money, so he informs him that he’s going to have him declared incompetent.

When Arthur Jr. leaves, Arthur Sr. is left pondering on what his son told him, and tells Jonathan he never meant things to be this way.

Then, Jonathan jumps in.

And goes on.

So, men are just too ambitious and greedy and forgot their other values. And that’s why Camelot’s dream of Arthur Sr. hasn’t realized, the same way Earth took the wrong directions.

This idea of why Earth is not working properly will be actually better discussed more in details on future episodes (like Heaven On Earth in season 2).

Anyway, Arthur is rather impressed by Jonathan’s punchline and asks him to be his lawyer at the upcoming trial against his son. Out of no reference, of course. Because Arthur Krock also believes in a world where references are worthless, as Jonathan suggested in the Pilot.

So, the judge enters the court.

And she’s played by Peggy Doyle, which will come back later on in the series.

Also, she quite looks like Judge Judy, isn’t it.

Or maybe, all judges look the same because they are dressed the same.

Anyway, Jonathan reassures her that he’s able to represent Arthur.

The judge briefly looks around and finds the document.

So, there it is. Jonathan used the Stuff to create some fake papers allegedly proving he’s capable of representing Arthur.

Now, the trial has yet to begin and Jonathan has already one platitude to show off.

Anyway, the trial begins and it is a battle of wits and punchlines. First, a maid that hasn’t appeared up to that moment.

And she says there’s nothing wrong in getting dressed like King Arthur as long as he stays in his home, because we’re all king in our homes. Because, she’s actress Helen Kleeb from The Waltons, she’s seen a lot of things in that family. Actually, she was just a townsfolk there, but whatever.

Then, there’s construction worker and Arthur’s friend.

And he says he’s thankful to Arthur for hiring 30 years earlier and he’d only take order by him rather than Krock’s Jr.

Now, come on, like everything Jonathan says is right and everything Krock Jr. says is wrong and mean. And they’re calling anyone to give testimony that would just endorse Krock’s Sr. and his madness.

Anyone, except Mark.

But, Mark was in here too. There he is. Where has he been all this time?

Really, he last appeared when Gwen (sorry, Guinevere) knocked at the mansion with her “petition” at the beginning, then he completely disappeared from the episode and now, almost 30 minutes later, he is just hiding in the background. and he has no line. And he drops no punchline in this episode.

His character was definitely underused here—not sure if there were some conflicts with the French schedule or if it was just the way it was meant to be from the beginning, but still.

Also, in all their testimony everybody just glosses over how that man is a danger to himself and those around him as well. I mean, he charged a backhoe. Don’t forget that. What if next time he went after an airplane.

It seems like they are all following Jonathan’s advice to comply with his madness. I mean, they should ask someone more impartial.

Like the white horse.

Exactly. He was the one who had to face the backhoe.

But, it’s not the case, and Jonathan simply ends the interrogation right there.

Now, it’s Krock’s Jr. who is called in. He argues that his father doesn’t want close the deal to evict Gwen (sorry, Guinevere) because of the animals staying in her land that would have to be displaced as well.

Which is not entirely wrong. I mean, if the whole point is to just oust Krock Sr. from the Krocks’, what now Arthur Jr. is telling them actually proves that Arthur Sr. would rather save animals than acting to do what’s best for the Krocks’. It’s ruthless, and I disagree with such mindset, but it’s a good point.

The problem is with those who just mind their own interests rather than being concerned of what’s around them. It’s people’s mindset Jonathan should work on. However, this empathic, human side of the problem is not something that you can use in court.

Anyway, as soon as he finishes that, a dog actually squeezes into the room.

Is that a pup?

The judge’s pup, of course. The least she could do now is to apologize for this interruption.

Excuse me?

Well, Your Honour, I do. You are presiding over a kangaroo court.

Not a thing in the world can ever justify this. You’re supposed to be working, if you leave your dog unattended at your workplace, you’re not being competent. I demand to have a new judge appointed right now. Where’s Judge Judy.

Really, this episode can’t get any crazier at this point.

Now, they call Arthur Sr. up, and Jonathan asks him a very difficult question.

And Arthur feels very Shakespearian telling everybody who he is and he ain’t.

Then he just stands up.

And he just moves around.

In a court.

That’s right, he gets up from the witness stand and just walks around the court.

What is he doing.

That is not how it is supposed to be on a court, at least a serious one.

At least you tried, Mr. attorney. But there are so many things to object here that you’re too late.

Of course, the charges are dropped and the two reconcile peacefully.

Next, Arthur throws a party at his castle.

Jonathan and Mark, however, are unable to attend. They’re are packing up, seemingly about to leave.

So, Krock Jr. and Linda want them to stay, probably because they need some more work done as handymen.

She only calls Jonathan because she probably doesn’t even remember Mark’s name, considering the way his character was treated in this episode and his important contribution to its conclusion.

They even offer offer to double their pay, but Jonathan and Mark don’t care about it.

The assignment is complete, they are required elsewhere now.

So, they wish everybody the best and then head off.

At least they’re not quiet quitting this time.

So, the warning was at the beginning: this episode was all over the place. Really, Dan Gordon wanted to double down the comical silliness of his western spoof by making this medieval spoff, but it was very misguided this time. Or he simply didn’t receive enough guidance from Landon, who knows his share of stuff about western but not much about this.

Or, it’s just an early episode, so they still had to figure out where this series was going, and they were learning themselves along the way. That’s more plausible, because it contains some aspects that will be better discussed on future occasion: like, Jonathan and the “lack of balance” on Earth, the strained father-and-son relationship, even the whole court scene. There are going to be some episodes that will entirely be “courtroom drama”, definetely better than this. But they first had to learn from their mistakes. One particular feature of this episode was already mentioned earlier: the almost complete absence of Mark. I mean, in these very early episode he doesn’t get much attention. It’s almost as if at first he was only meant to be a sidekick to Jonathan, then he receives more attention with the tenth episode but just after the Christmas special his character will actually become the protagonist, as important as Jonathan, and not just a sidekick of Landon.

However, for now, this was what the audience got, and not sure they liked it: this episode didn’t recover from the loss of ratings of the previous ones, and actually fell even further with 16 points. But, again, for the good and for the bad, it’s just the beginning, they have time to recover, as they will.