MovieChat Forums > The Rifleman (1958) Discussion > Episode: Waste

Episode: Waste

posted 9 years ago by moviewatchinguy
4 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this on AMC. Enid Jaynes pretty much stole the show. Vito Scotti, doing his standard over the top Mexican bandito was annoying at best (really, those gross dentures were absurd). Enid spoke nary a word but was the most real and engrossing character of the entire cast.

Her exit scene was great, although unclear. Does she just hate gringos? Did she resent the loss of her child's father? Was she just humiliated a man helped to deliver her baby?

Enid, a midwife, and a cadre of unpleasant banditos in a ghost town? Was she a prisoner or a companion? It had certain Twilight Zone qualities. The only real failing was the standard Rifleman 'end it with a laugh' which was hardly a good fit given the rest of the episode.

[–] janet-conant 9 years ago

I agree. I didn't think the ending warranted a laugh of Micah trying to sober up with the help of Mark. They had just been through hell and Micah must still have been hurting as no doctor fixed him up.

I believe Alphonso's woman was full of hatred for Lucas because he did kill her man and now she was alone with a baby. I don't think she cared at all that he helped her in the delivery. Wonder where Lucas learned to deliver babies. In Eight Years and a Day he needs that doctor to sober up and deliver the baby. Did Lucas take a crash course in midwifery at the North Fork School at night taught by Hattie?

I remember when this episode aired originally in 1962 maybe. I was about 7 years old and thought it was so scary. Couldn't wait to see the next episode a week later.

[–] vestdennis 9 years ago

I would imagine many people in those days had delivered, or help deliver a baby. Doctors were scattered many miles apart and people sure couldn't run to the doctor for every little sniffle or complaint. "Waste" is a great episode and is one of the grittiest, real plots. Much like Gunsmoke.

[–] anthny_platt 9 years ago

It was particularly worthy of being the two part episode.

Considering the overwhelming talent passing through that soundstage, it's interesting that comedian Vito Scotti figures so prominently in the show's history.

[–] ericn2274 9 years ago

I also just watched this 2-part episode on AMC. This was the first 2-part episode I've ever seen for "The Rifleman." Theses 2 episodes seemed different than any of the previous airings. I have been watching "The Rifleman" for a very long time and I am quite familiar with how the stories and plots usually play-out. The tone was different, very dark and the direction was different. It almost didn't feel like a western show. The first time I can remember Micah almost dying. Anyway, it was a great epidode with the familiar happy ending. I thought Enid Jaynes was very pretty.