Genesis

So how did Palladin get to be Palladin. After five years of adventure, our mystery man in black is finally revealed. Okay, the 30-minutes answers many questions, but be prepared for a brace of philosophizing, some brittle dialog, and an earnest if not very accomplished James Mitchum. On the action front, however, is a really acrobatic and eye-catching fist fight.

Perhaps most interesting, however, is the casting. In effect, Boone plays not just one but three roles here— Palladin, Palladin as a young man, and Palladin's alter-ego and mentor, a guy named "Smoke". Now, the 45-year old Boone is a stretch, playing, say, a 25-year old, especially since there's no attempt to make him look younger. At the same time, he plays the older Smoke using a blond wig, no less. And since Smoke and the younger Palladin often share the same scene, that not only takes some getting used to, but some trick photography, as well.

But the more interesting question is why would Boone take on the additional role of Smoke since most any other competent actor would have sufficed. I'll venture two guesses. First is easy-- after 5-years of the same role, Boone's ready for a change, even a brief one.

Second is more abstract— maybe someone wanted to say something metaphorical and profound about the nature of honor, courage, and the other virtues associated with knighthood. And having the same actor play both the teacher and the student says something about the sameness of the lesson and the values taught by the lesson. In short, the same virtues that motivated medieval knighthood are as necessary today as they were yesterday and must be handed down from generation to generation.

Anyway, whatever the real reason, it remains a curious piece of casting. All in all, the episode amounts to a definite departure from the series norm, and whether or not you like it remains, I suppose, a matter of taste.