Combat! episode reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
Episodes are rated from 0 to 4 bayonets

(105) The Farmer

RATING: 1 bayonet

Guest star: Dennis Weaver

Written by Andy White
Directed by John Peyser
First aired 10-12-65
Episode 5 of Season 4

(publicity picture taken during filming of the episode)

SYNOPSIS:

Waiting for battle, Noah plants the crops of an evacuated French farmer. Noah's love for the land and farming overshadow his obligations as a soldier. Absorbed in a way of life he understands, the farmer-soldier endangers the squad when he disobeys orders to care for a new-born calf.

REVIEW:

Dennis Weaver stars as "The Farmer" who cannot comprehend that he is now a soldier. The embattled farmer may have stood at Lexington and Concord and fired the shot heard round the world, but if they had been represented there by farmers the like of Dennis Weaver, they would have been too busy chasing cows and planting crops to have been bothered with starting the fight for American independence. From the first scene, this character is bayonet-bait.

The scenes of Weaver dragging Doc, Littlejohn, and Caje into his silliness are charming and Morrow is engaging as a Saunders fighting against the emotions engendered by this farmer's love of the land. Weaver jumps in with both feet and plays the role with utter conviction, but he fights a losing battle with the silly plot. Dennis Weaver did not join in any of the cast antics, avoiding any overtures to come play.

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

	While resting at the farmhouse, during the conversation between Caje and Saunders, the camo helmet alternates between hanging in the background and perching on Morrow's head.
	Hanley's driver is Walt Davis, who he addresses as "Davis."
	Filmed at Thousand Oaks.

CAST:

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Guest Star
Dennis Weaver as Noah

Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Conlan Carter as Doc

Felix Locher as Old French Farmer
Belle Mitchell as Old French Woman
Dina Harmsen as French Girl
Anthony Aiello as G.I.

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Combat! Episodes
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5

Other season four Combat! episodes:
[ Season 4 : Intro ] [ The Linesman ] [ The Main Event ] [ Hear No Evil ] [ 9 Place Vendee ] [ A Sudden Terror ] [ Evasion ] [ Finest Hour ] [ Breakout ] [ The Farmer ] [ The Raider ] [ Crossfire ] [ Soldier of Fortune ] [ The First Day ] [ S.I.W. ] [ Luck with Rainbows ] [ The Flying Machine ] [ The Old Men ] [ The Casket ] [ The Good Samaritan ] [ Retribution ] [ The Mockingbird ] [ Hills Are for Heroes ] [ "Counterplay" ] [ Nothing to Lose ] [ Ask Me No Questions ] [ "Ringer (The)" ] [ "One at a Time" ] [ "Run, Sheep, Run" ] [ "Gitty" ] [ The Leader ]

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