Automan – Murder MTV
June 17, 2024
Tenspeed and Brown Shoe – 1980
October 9, 2024
Remember Enos, The lovable deputy from Hazard County? Well, he decided to move to L.A. to work in the big city for some reason. In this first episode Enos is put in a new special Metro Squad that can be used for pretty much anything. This week they are getting ready to take down a prostitution/blackmail ring. Will Enos succeed in stopping the group, without exposing his new neighbor who happens to be in the group? Listen to find out!
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The spinoff series Enos premiered on November 12, 1980, and was met with enthusiasm from fans of The Dukes of Hazzard. The pilot episode, titled “Enos Strate to the Top,” set the stage for the adventures of the beloved Deputy Enos Strate as he transitioned from the rural familiarity of Hazzard County to the bustling cityscape of Los Angeles. This shift provided the perfect backdrop for both comedy and crime-fighting action, infused with the fish-out-of-water charm that defined Enos’s character.
Setting the Scene: Enos Moves to Los Angeles
The pilot begins with Enos Strate (played by Sonny Shroyer) leaving Hazzard County, where he was a deputy under Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane and constantly tangled with the Duke boys. Enos’s new journey is sparked by an unexpected opportunity: he is recruited by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after demonstrating bravery and competence in Hazzard County that caught the attention of higher authorities.
The show immediately capitalizes on the contrast between Enos’s humble, small-town roots and the big-city environment of Los Angeles. This juxtaposition becomes a recurring theme in the episode, highlighting Enos’s endearing nature and straightforward approach to life, even as he grapples with the complexities of urban crime.
Plot Overview: The First Case
Enos’s arrival in Los Angeles is marked by a mix of awe and confusion as he encounters the hustle and bustle of the city for the first time. Assigned to work with seasoned officers who are initially skeptical of his rural background, Enos quickly proves that he is more than capable, albeit in his own unique way.
The main plot of the pilot episode revolves around a high-stakes jewelry heist orchestrated by a well-organized gang of criminals. The LAPD is under pressure to apprehend the suspects before they strike again. Enos, despite being the “new guy,” manages to contribute significantly to the investigation, using his down-to-earth intuition and genuine kindness. He approaches the case with a combination of earnestness and unexpected cleverness, traits that had already won over fans during his time on The Dukes of Hazzard.
Throughout the episode, Enos’s interactions with his new colleagues are both humorous and heartfelt. His earnest attempts to fit into the LAPD lead to moments of comedy, such as misunderstandings due to his Southern expressions or his insistence on sticking to old-fashioned, courteous behavior, even when faced with hardened criminals. Despite initial doubts, Enos gains the respect of his peers by the end of the pilot through his contributions to solving the case.
Key Scenes and Highlights
One of the standout scenes in the pilot episode features Enos going undercover, despite his reluctance and slight awkwardness with deception. This sequence showcases Shroyer’s comedic timing, as Enos’s genuine nature makes him a less-than-convincing undercover operative. However, his heart and determination ultimately carry him through, leading to an unexpected break in the case. This mix of humor and tension sets the tone for the rest of the series, balancing light-hearted moments with action and drama.
The climactic moment of the pilot sees Enos and his team tracking down the jewelry thieves in a high-speed pursuit that ends with Enos outsmarting the criminals using his quick thinking. This action-packed scene not only reinforces Enos’s capabilities but also highlights the dynamic nature of the series, blending police procedural with elements of action-comedy.
Fun Facts and Trivia
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Sonny Shroyer’s Leap from Hazzard to L.A.: Shroyer’s transition from The Dukes of Hazzard to Enos was a significant move that demonstrated the character’s popularity. His portrayal of Enos had resonated so strongly with audiences that the spinoff was developed specifically to give him a starring role.
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Cameos and References: The pilot episode features subtle nods to The Dukes of Hazzard, with a few Easter eggs for fans of the original show. While Enos’s former colleagues and the Duke boys are not physically present in the pilot, references to Hazzard County and Enos’s history are peppered throughout his conversations.
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Real LAPD Involvement: To lend authenticity to the show, the producers consulted with the LAPD during production. This collaboration ensured that police procedures and the portrayal of the department had a touch of realism, even if the show leaned more towards comedy.
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Character Evolution: The pilot lays the groundwork for Enos’s character development throughout the series. Unlike his earlier, more naive version in The Dukes of Hazzard, Enos in Los Angeles shows growth as he learns to navigate the complexities of big-city policing while staying true to his roots.
Reception and Legacy
The pilot episode of Enos was well-received by audiences who appreciated the familiar charm of Sonny Shroyer’s character, now placed in a completely new and challenging environment. While the series only lasted for one season, its pilot set the tone for what would become a fondly remembered spinoff. The show maintained a loyal following and demonstrated Shroyer’s ability to carry a show as the lead actor, an achievement that spoke to his talent and appeal.
The blend of crime-solving and humor in the pilot set Enos apart from more serious police dramas of the time. Its unique tone, anchored by Shroyer’s performance, offered a fresh take on the genre, making it a standout in its era.
