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Questions about 'ROPE LAW' Episode. SPOILERS

posted 15 years ago by gppressingon
1 reply | jump to latest

I just watched the episode "Rope Law" from the first season, starring Darryl Hickman as the punk kid who leads the lynch mob. His father is the weak-willed stand-in for the sheriff, who also knocks out the judge when push came to shove on the lynch mob taking their prisoner.

It's a great episode, BUT... I was left wondering what happened, so much seemed to unfold in the last three or four minutes. Can a fellow fan clear up exactly what went on?

Was the father having an affair with Marly?
Hickman says the dad loved Marly more than he did, so why then did the father kill her?
Why would a son cover up for a father whose carrying on with his girlfriend?
Why did the son pay the $100 to her?

It seems very unsavory subject matter for a 1959 television show. Randall hints at prostitution and the mother comes back insisting Marly was a "good girl." So what was with the May-December romance with the father?

The father shoots himself in the end. Why? Because the figurative noose was tightening and he knew he would be found out and/or guilt because he knows Brace died for his wrongdoings?

Once again, a great episode, but one that ended in such a flurry I missed something.

[–] FatboyJon 15 years ago

Just watch it as well. My take on it is..

Was the father having an affair with Marly?

Two theories:
I think he also was her father.. and therefor loved her more, and did not want his son to marry her.

Or, yes they were having an affair as well.

Hickman says the dad loved Marly more than he did, so why then did the father kill her?

An accident? The sheriff/father did not want Marilee and his son to marry and tried to pay her off. They had an argument or she was blackmailing him..

Why would a son cover up for a father whose carrying on with his girlfriend?

Maybe the father confessed to his son after the posse had assembled for the first time and it was easier going through with the lynch then telling his friends that they had to stop.

Or, blood is thicker then water:).

Why did the son pay the $100 to her?
He didn´t, the father did, I think..

FatboyJon

Questions about 'ROPE LAW' Episode. *SPOILERS*

Questions about 'ROPE LAW' Episode. SPOILERS