Episode 5 – The Six Million Dollar Man: The Rescue Of Athena One
May 18, 2018
Episode 7 – CHiPs Pilot
June 1, 2018
On this episode we head south to check out Hazzard County to see how Bo and Luke Duke keep Boss Hogg and Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane in check. This week the boys hijack a slot machine shipment to help out an orphanage. Such good boys.
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Welcome to Hazzard County
The pilot episode opens with a narration by country music legend Waylon Jennings, who serves as the series’ narrator and sets the tone for the show. Through his voice, viewers get a humorous yet insightful overview of Hazzard County, a place brimming with colorful characters and wild antics. The show’s protagonists, Bo (John Schneider) and Luke Duke (Tom Wopat), are cousins who live with their Uncle Jesse (Denver Pyle) and cousin Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach). The Dukes are known for their rebellious yet good-hearted nature and are often involved in the local happenings of Hazzard County, especially if it involves going up against the local authorities.
Bo and Luke are reformed moonshiners, having put their bootlegging days behind them, but are still closely watched by the local police due to their reputation. They have a probation condition that prohibits them from carrying firearms, which adds a unique twist to their encounters with the law. The cousins drive a bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger, affectionately named the General Lee, which becomes a significant icon of the show, known for its Confederate flag on the roof and its ability to take on any daring stunt.
Trouble with Boss Hogg
As the episode progresses, we are introduced to Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke), the corrupt county commissioner and chief antagonist in the series. Boss Hogg has a tight grip over Hazzard County, using his influence to control everything from the law to local businesses. His scheming nature and love for money often put him at odds with the Duke family, especially since Bo and Luke are constantly challenging his crooked plans.
In “One Armed Bandits,” Boss Hogg comes up with a scheme to profit off illegal gambling in Hazzard County. He plans to smuggle “one-armed bandits”—a colloquial term for slot machines—into the county and set them up in various businesses, ensuring he’ll get a cut of the profits. To make his plan work, he enlists the help of the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best), who is often more of a comedic foil than an effective law enforcer. Sheriff Rosco, with his clumsy attempts to uphold the law (while serving Boss Hogg’s interests), quickly became a fan favorite for his antics and slapstick approach to law enforcement.
Bo and Luke Discover the Plan
While running an errand in town, Bo and Luke stumble upon the plan and realize that Boss Hogg’s actions will hurt the honest citizens of Hazzard, especially those already struggling to make ends meet. True to their nature, the Duke boys decide they won’t let Boss Hogg exploit the townsfolk without a fight. Using their wits and skillful driving abilities, Bo and Luke come up with a plan to thwart Boss Hogg’s scheme.
The Dukes hatch a scheme to hijack one of the trucks carrying the slot machines, planning to keep the machines out of circulation by hiding them. This sets up a thrilling car chase sequence that showcases the General Lee’s capabilities, complete with jumps, high-speed maneuvers, and narrow escapes. The chase scenes became one of the defining features of The Dukes of Hazzard, with each episode often featuring multiple daring stunts that captured the audience’s excitement and love for action.
A Noble Cause
After hiding the slot machines, Bo and Luke come up with an alternative plan to use them for a good cause. They distribute the machines at a local orphanage, allowing the orphans to use them as entertainment. The idea is to turn Boss Hogg’s greed into something positive for the community, showcasing the Dukes’ knack for creative problem-solving and their sense of justice.
This twist highlights an important theme in the show: while the Duke boys operate outside the law, they do so with noble intentions. They frequently find themselves in opposition to corrupt authority figures like Boss Hogg but never lose sight of their moral compass. This makes them local heroes in Hazzard County, and despite their run-ins with the law, the community often supports their efforts to stand up for what’s right.
Facing the Consequences
Boss Hogg quickly realizes that the slot machines have gone missing, and he suspects that Bo and Luke are behind it. Frustrated and determined to put the Dukes in jail, he pressures Sheriff Rosco to capture the cousins. This leads to another exciting chase, with Boss Hogg and Rosco pursuing the Dukes in hopes of arresting them and reclaiming the machines. However, Bo and Luke use their driving skills and knowledge of the county to evade capture, much to Boss Hogg’s frustration.
In the end, the Duke boys manage to escape, leaving Boss Hogg fuming and outwitted. While Boss Hogg vows to get his revenge, Bo and Luke remain free, having successfully disrupted his scheme and helped the orphanage in the process. The episode wraps up with the Dukes’ sense of triumph, having once again outsmarted the corrupt powers in Hazzard County.
Key Characters Introduced in the Pilot
“One Armed Bandits” introduces the core cast of characters that would become staples in the series:
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Bo Duke (John Schneider): Known for his daring personality and driving skills, Bo is often the more impulsive of the two Duke cousins. His fearless attitude makes him a natural behind the wheel of the General Lee.
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Luke Duke (Tom Wopat): The more level-headed cousin, Luke is a former Marine who brings a sense of strategy and reasoning to their schemes. His partnership with Bo creates a balanced dynamic of courage and wisdom.
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Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach): Daisy is the cousin of Bo and Luke, known for her beauty and strength. She often assists the boys in their plans and works as a waitress at the Boar’s Nest, the local bar owned by Boss Hogg.
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Uncle Jesse (Denver Pyle): The Duke family patriarch, Jesse is a former moonshiner with a strong moral code. He serves as a father figure to Bo, Luke, and Daisy, instilling in them values of loyalty and justice.
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Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke): The main antagonist, Boss Hogg is a greedy, corrupt politician who uses his position to exploit Hazzard County for personal gain.
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Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best): Boss Hogg’s loyal yet inept right-hand man, Rosco is often thwarted in his attempts to capture the Dukes, providing comic relief throughout the series.
Notable Themes and Elements
“One Armed Bandits” introduces themes and stylistic elements that would define the series:
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Car Chases and Stunts: The General Lee’s dramatic jumps and high-speed chases became a signature element of The Dukes of Hazzard. The pilot episode established these stunts as a focal point, captivating audiences with action-packed sequences.
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Good vs. Corrupt Authority: The series continually explores the theme of justice versus corruption, with the Duke family standing up to Boss Hogg’s crooked schemes to protect the local community.
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Southern Charm and Humor: The show captures Southern culture with its unique mix of humor, down-to-earth characters, and a sense of loyalty and community, all narrated with charm by Waylon Jennings.
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Family and Loyalty: Despite their troubles with the law, the Duke family sticks together, embodying values of family loyalty and unity.
Fun Facts and Trivia About “One Armed Bandits”
The pilot episode has its share of interesting trivia and behind-the-scenes facts:
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General Lee’s Debut: The General Lee, arguably the most famous car in television history, made its first appearance in this episode. The car’s distinct horn, playing the first 12 notes of “Dixie,” became iconic, along with its vibrant orange color and racing number “01” on the doors.
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Real Stunt Driving: Many of the stunts performed in the series were done by skilled stunt drivers. Some of the jumps and chases, especially in the pilot, were groundbreaking for television at the time and set a high standard for future episodes.
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Waylon Jennings’ Narration: Known as “The Balladeer” on the show, Waylon Jennings not only narrated the series but also performed the show’s theme song, “Good Ol’ Boys,” which became an instant hit and a defining part of the show’s identity.
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Filming Locations: Although the show’s setting is fictional Hazzard County, Georgia, the pilot episode was filmed in Covington, Georgia. The show later moved its production to California, but the Southern vibe was maintained throughout the series.
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Inspiration for the Show: The Dukes of Hazzard was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which followed a similar storyline about Southern bootleggers. The film’s influence is evident in the show’s themes, characters, and car-centric action sequences.
The Legacy of “One Armed Bandits”
The pilot episode of The Dukes of Hazzard set the stage for a series that would become one of television’s most beloved. “One Armed Bandits” introduced audiences to the Duke family’s world of high-speed chases, humorous escapes, and battles against corrupt authority. Through memorable characters, thrilling car chases, and a strong sense of family, the episode captured the essence of The Dukes of Hazzard, building a loyal fan base that spans generations. Today, “One Armed Bandits” remains a fan favorite, representing the spirit and charm that made the show a pop culture phenomenon.
