I used to give a silent cheer every time Kathleen Hite's name appeared on screen as writer; not so much any more. I'm fine with her introducing the feminine sensibility into the male-dominated Old West---Season 8's "The Way It Is" is excellent, and Season 7's "Long, Long Trail" is a total MASTERPIECE. But her output became way too Hit-and-"Miss" as the series progressed.
LOTS of holes in the plot..many already cited here by other commentators.
Yeah...what WAS that nonsense with "Ed" in the opening..his gratuitous fight with Quint..why?? Bad choice. ALSO-- are we seriously to believe that Matt would allow Kitty and Hope to travel on the coach --carrying a big load of cash--with NO "SHOTGUN" rider to protect them? Are you NUTS?
And, after the coach disaster, a writer of Hite's intelligence would have made sure that Kitty first check the ruined coach for anything they might be able to use in their long walk back to civilization, after first having made SOME effort to see if the coach's HORSES might have stopped running anywhere nearby.
There's just WAY TOO MUCH in this script that was tossed aside in order to set up the perilous journey of the two ladies, which is really a grind to watch. Incidentally, Hope's level of pain, etc makes it seem that she's about to deliver the baby at any moment...yet the costume department (conspiring with make-up and hair stylist) makes certain that actress Betty Conner looks svelte and shapely in her tight-fitting dress; this IS the mid '60's, you know.
I really don't like scripts of this sort-- where our favorite characters are stranded, captured, brutalized..while we stress out waiting for help to arrive. Hite had created a GREAT opportunity for a real human interest story..with Hope and Ed's failed relationship, her pregnancy, Kitty's wise counsel and advice, etc.. But, NO.
I doubt that I'll be watching this one again. LR.
PS-- I DID enjoy Jack Elam's reptilian character, repulsive as it was.