I understand Hyder had to find out somehow that he was going to Heaven but the way they do it here is just so clunky. "Passage For Trumpet" used a similar device but it was woven so much more seamlessly, I feel, into the story.
shareI liked it at the time and have come to accept it. The first time around the rustic angel reminded me a bit of Fess (Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone) Parker, mixed with maybe a little Jethro of the Beverly Hillbillies. As the years have gone by he has come to seem less impressive; the actor, I mean. On the other hand, he looked like the right angel for Hyder, and I think that was the point. Also, the inelegance of the presentation was consistent with the tall story nature of the episode itself. I like it but have stopped watching it, as the sadness of the story, my knowing it so well, is overwhelming without being inspiring. To be blunt, it's a downer.
shareI can see what you mean about the inelegance being compatible with the tall tale nature of the episode but for me showing instead of telling the audience that Hyder narrowly avoided damnation would have still been preferable.
It makes you wonder too if there's a parallel universe and in it Hyder goes to Coon Heaven and finds out what "The Hunt" feels like from the perspective of the quarry.
I love this episode. The angel who invites Hyder into heaven is perfect for his vision of heaven. He made Hyder feel at home and the angel invited him to the square dance that night.
Maybe if Hyder was the CEO of a big company or a jet set millionaire, he'd be greeted by a man in a three piece suit or a tuxedo inviting him to the opera that night.
It was all Hyder's idea of heaven.
Agree with you entirely. The young angel who greeted him was just what Hyder needed. Everyone's idea of heaven is different.
shareDo you think Hyder's heaven is where all the bad raccoons go when they die?
shareYeah, I think that's right too. He may have been distrustful of a different type of person and not gone with him.
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