Favorite Bret Maverick Episodes
Whenever I get into a new series I seem to not be able to stop talking about it and since live journal I feel is still the best place to talk about things...
Anyways despite the fact I think Garner had less duds than Kelly (because he left before the show really went downhill) most of my favorite episodes are either Bart or Brother episodes. However Garner does have quite a few eps I love.
This is a list of my favorite Bret eps where either Bart doesn't appear at all or if he does appear it is only a cameo appearance. Although there are still some Bret eps I have left to see so this list is subject to change.
Escape to Tampico I started to rewatch this one again on my way to work. This may have been one of my absolute favorite episodes if not for the ending which went for a twist instead of what I felt made sense for the characters and the rest of the story. This is one of the many appearances in the series of Gerald Mohr playing a Bogart like character in a Casablanca setting. Although the story takes place in Mexico the set used is the same set as Casablanca. This is also my favorite of Mohr's many guest appearances on the show and I think he had a really wonderful rapport with Garner here.
Jail at Junction Flats This is my favorite solo Bret episode and one of absolute favorites of the series. It also stars the wonderful Efrem Zimbalist as Dandy Jim Buckley and although I always enjoy Buckley this is my favorite of his many episodes. There are so many moments and lines in this ep that make me laugh and this quite possibly has the best fictional jail ever . I have watched this one many times and never tire it. Apparently when this ep originally aired the show got letters that people were upset that Buckley got the better of Bret at the end but I thought that the ending was absolutely perfect.
Island in the Swamp This episode is just fill of fun side characters, my favorite being Lady Bug played by Arlene Howell (although she is best known as Cindy Lou this is my favorite of her episodes). I also loved the interesting setting and the idea of poor Bret being forced to run around barefoot so he wouldn't escape in the swamp. lol
Gun Shy Although I do enjoy this episode a lot I also feel it is a bit overrated too and mostly famous for how it parody's Gun Smoke. However I do love all the scenes with the sheriff trying to run Bret out of town and how Bret at one point gets chummy with the deputy when the sheriff is out of town. Those are very classic Maverick.
the Rivals Bart bookends this episode but otherwise it is a solo Bret ep. It also happens to be my favorite episode with Roger Moore (at least so far) even though he isn't playing Beau. I love how this episode used classic literature, mainly a Tale of Two Cities but there is also a bit of the Prince and the Pauper in there as well. The main romance between Moore and Crowley (who was always great in Maverick) is also really cute. And I do love the last scene with Bart.
A Fellow's Brother Well I already talked about this one but I do think it is very clever in its Anti Western themes of revenge and facing danger head on.
Most of my favorite Bret episodes are in season 2 but that is not surprising because most of the best eps of the series are in Season 2. Although I would probably give honorable mention to some season 1 eps like According to Hoyle The Seventh Hand and Stampede because of appearances of Samantha and Buckley. I also love the later half of Rope of Cards where Bret convinces a jury to vote not guilty but the rest of the episode is just okay.
Anyways despite the fact I think Garner had less duds than Kelly (because he left before the show really went downhill) most of my favorite episodes are either Bart or Brother episodes. However Garner does have quite a few eps I love.
This is a list of my favorite Bret eps where either Bart doesn't appear at all or if he does appear it is only a cameo appearance. Although there are still some Bret eps I have left to see so this list is subject to change.
Escape to Tampico I started to rewatch this one again on my way to work. This may have been one of my absolute favorite episodes if not for the ending which went for a twist instead of what I felt made sense for the characters and the rest of the story. This is one of the many appearances in the series of Gerald Mohr playing a Bogart like character in a Casablanca setting. Although the story takes place in Mexico the set used is the same set as Casablanca. This is also my favorite of Mohr's many guest appearances on the show and I think he had a really wonderful rapport with Garner here.
Jail at Junction Flats This is my favorite solo Bret episode and one of absolute favorites of the series. It also stars the wonderful Efrem Zimbalist as Dandy Jim Buckley and although I always enjoy Buckley this is my favorite of his many episodes. There are so many moments and lines in this ep that make me laugh and this quite possibly has the best fictional jail ever . I have watched this one many times and never tire it. Apparently when this ep originally aired the show got letters that people were upset that Buckley got the better of Bret at the end but I thought that the ending was absolutely perfect.
Island in the Swamp This episode is just fill of fun side characters, my favorite being Lady Bug played by Arlene Howell (although she is best known as Cindy Lou this is my favorite of her episodes). I also loved the interesting setting and the idea of poor Bret being forced to run around barefoot so he wouldn't escape in the swamp. lol
Gun Shy Although I do enjoy this episode a lot I also feel it is a bit overrated too and mostly famous for how it parody's Gun Smoke. However I do love all the scenes with the sheriff trying to run Bret out of town and how Bret at one point gets chummy with the deputy when the sheriff is out of town. Those are very classic Maverick.
the Rivals Bart bookends this episode but otherwise it is a solo Bret ep. It also happens to be my favorite episode with Roger Moore (at least so far) even though he isn't playing Beau. I love how this episode used classic literature, mainly a Tale of Two Cities but there is also a bit of the Prince and the Pauper in there as well. The main romance between Moore and Crowley (who was always great in Maverick) is also really cute. And I do love the last scene with Bart.
A Fellow's Brother Well I already talked about this one but I do think it is very clever in its Anti Western themes of revenge and facing danger head on.
Most of my favorite Bret episodes are in season 2 but that is not surprising because most of the best eps of the series are in Season 2. Although I would probably give honorable mention to some season 1 eps like According to Hoyle The Seventh Hand and Stampede because of appearances of Samantha and Buckley. I also love the later half of Rope of Cards where Bret convinces a jury to vote not guilty but the rest of the episode is just okay.