Bonus Lonesome Dove Quotes

As I promised y'all last weekend, I'm gonna post some bonus Lonesome Dove quotes on here today. Enjoy!
Best Bonus Quotes from Pt. I: Leaving:
1.) "If you wanna think somethin', why don't ya think that roof back on the barn, instead of sittin' in the shade all the time?"-- Capt. Call, dissing Capt. McCrae's chronic laziness
2.) "Well, she ain't lookin' at ya 'cause she loves ya."-- Gus, teasing Woodrow about trying to break a wild mare dubbed the "Hell Bitch."
3.) "I'll tell ya what: You ride up there, clear out the Indians, build a lil' cabin, get a nice lil' fire goin' in the fireplace, and then me and Jake'll gather a herd and come on up."-- Gus, basically telling Woodrow that he isn't that enthusiastic about the prospect of going on a cattledrive to Montana
4.) "I'd like to see the herd you and Jake could gather. A herd of whores-- maybe."-- Woodrow's response to the line posted above
5.) A twofer: "I swear, Gus, you'd argue with a possum."-- Woodrow during the "Mexico" scene; "It'd be easier than arguin' with you, Woodrow."-- Gus' very Gus-like rebuttal
Best Bonus Quotes from Pt. II: On the Trail:
1.) "I do not ride animals. It is not civilized. Are we not animals also? How would you like it if someone rode you?"-- camp cook Po Campo, discussing his philosophical reason for walking instead of riding horses or burros
2.) "Now, the only healthy way to live life as I see it is to learn to enjoy all the lil' everyday things-- like a sip of good whiskey, a nice glass of buttermilk, or, say, a feisty gentleman like myself!"-- an awesome Gus-ism from one the film's best scenes, the one in which he tries to cheer Lorie up after she realizes that Jake won't take her to San Francisco
3.) "You're not gonna get halfway down the road and start missin' your wife like our last cook, are ya?"-- Woodrow, hiring Po Campo in San Antonio, and referencing the fact that former cook Bolivar left to return to his wife in Mexico
4.) Another twofer: "What I like about the man is that he's a philosopher."-- Gus' first impression of Po Campo; "Oh, yeah, I hired him to give you someone to talk to. That'll free the rest of us up. Maybe we'll get a little work done."-- Woodrow's rebuttal. This says it all about the differences between Gus and Woodrow's personalities.
5.) "They don't know it yet, but the wrath of the Lord is about descend upon 'em come nightfall."-- Gus says this after he finds out that Blue Duck and his cohorts have captured his "Lorie Darlin'" in North Texas. Also, this is the point at which the main plot and subplot merge, for Gus meets up with July Johnson, who is looking for Jake Spoon.
Best Quotes from Pt. III: The Plains:
1.) "A man who'll go along with three murders is takin' leavin' a little slow."-- Gus, telling Jake (who claims that he was planning to exticate himself from his new "friends") that he's crossed the line by going along with the crimes of the Suggs Gang, whom Jake fell in with while gambling, drinking, and carousing in the Oklahoma Territory
2.) "If there's one thing I'll say for ya, son, it's that yer the kinda man who's a pleasure to hang. If all you can talk is guff, then go talk it to the Devil!"-- A Gus line from the emotionally powerful hanging scene in which the Suggs brothers and Jake are hung in Kansas. Gus says this to gang leader Dan Suggs.
3.) "Yeah, I know Woodrow-- and I detest him!"-- Clara, telling Gus point blank how she feels about Capt. Call during the Nebraska picnic scene
4.) "Aye God, yer sassy!"-- Gus, bantering with Clara after she "tomahawks" him.
5.) "Me and Woodrow always like to get where we're goin', even if it don't make a damn bit of sense."-- This is what Gus tells Clara and Lorie as he's saddling up to head off to the supposed "Cattlemen's Paradise" that is Montana.
Best Bonus Quotes from Pt. IV: Return:
1.) "What the Hell's wrong with you boys? Don't you know Call hired y'all for life?"-- Here, Gus overhears the young cowpokes whining and complaining and is clearly irked by their attitudes.
2.) "Yer a travelin' son of a bitch, ain't ya?"-- Hugh Auld, a frontier doctor who tries to offer medical assistance to Gus (in the form of a leg amputation) after Gus is shot by Indians with a poisonous arrow. A semi-conscious Gus is telling Hugh his life story.
3.) "I suppose you're gonna want a fancy funeral, too. Are you sure you don't want me to haul ya down to the South Pole and bury ya there?"-- This is what Woodrow says after a dying Gus requests to be buried in "Clara's Orchard" in Texas.
4.) "I ain't kin to nobody in this world, Pea!"-- This is Newt's declaration of being his own man, which he makes after Pea Eye tells Newt that Capt. Call "acted like you [Newt] was his kin" after Woodrow puts Newt in charge of the newly established ranch in Montana.
5.) "I'll never forget you, darlin'."-- This is a tear-jerker Lorie line. Lorie is staying up all night and keeping vigil over Gus' corpse after Woodrow has stopped off at Clara's ranch with Gus' remains in tow so that Clara and Lorie can "see" their beloved crazy old Texas Ranger one more time.

Miscellaneous Items

Well, folks, I (along with my two group members) gave my presentation in class last night. Now, I've gotta get goin' on that danged research paper proposal. Also, I went to a Premier Jewelry party at my friend Jenn's place afterward. (For those of y'all who've never heard of Premier, it's a Dallas-based company whose beautiful, economically priced merchandise would please any gal.) Jenn thinks I should host a party. I told her I'd have to think about it. Anyway, that's a very brief synopsis of what's going on in the Ashleyverse atm.

My Favorite M*A*S*H, Season 5, Episodes

A while back, I discussed some of my favorite M*A*S*H, Season 4, episodes. Today, I'd like to talk about Season 5 (1976-77). Just as the previous season brought changes to the 4077th, so too does this season. For instance, Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) gets engaged to and subsequently weds fiance Lt. Col. Donald Penobscot. As a result, former lover Maj. Frank Burns (Larry Linville) goes AWOL and ultimately returns to his wife and "cozy little malpractice" in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. That said, I will now list and explain what I feel to be the show's Season 5 highlights.

Disc 1:

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind (#5.3)" (Original Air Date: 10/5/76)-- Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is temporarily blinded while repairing a "temperamental kerosene stove." During this time, he must rely on his other senses, mainly hearing. Very poignant episode.

"Dear Sigmund (#5.7)" (Original Air Date: 11/9/76)-- In this Emmy Award-winning episode, camp shrink Dr. Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus) makes often humorous observations about 4077th personnel-- like "Anger turned sideways is Hawkeye." and "Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) is an enigma in size-13 shoes."-- and reports his findings and observations in a letter to Sigmund Freud. I like when Dr. Freedman studies "Ferret Face" Burns, who is upset that his wife is becoming "liberated" through campaigning on behalf of local political candidates with the Ft. Wayne Republican Club. LOL! He also finds Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) and Hot Lips to be highly fascinating.

Disc 2:

"Hawk's Nightmare (#5.13)" (Original Air Date: 12/21/76)-- Dr. Freedman makes an urgent house call to the 4077th after Hawkeye begins having nightmares and sleepwalking as a result of being overworked amid the backdrop of war. I love what Freedman says to Hawk about his situation: "If you were really crazy, you'd sleep like a baby."

"The Most Unforgettable Characters (#5.14)" (Original Air Date: 1/4/77)-- It's Ole Ferret Face's b'day, and Hawkeye and B.J. decide to give him a "present" in the form of a fake fight between the two best buds. Also, Radar (Gary Burghoff) enrolls in a writing school with questionable credentials.

Disc 3:

"Hanky Panky (#5.18)" (Original Air Date: 2/1/77)-- B.J. comforts an attractive nurse who's just received a "Dear Jane" letter from her husband. Afterward, the devoted family man is plagued with massive guilt over his perceived infidelity. The dialogue between Farrell and co-star Alda is lively and entertaining and provides further insight into B.J.'s character and personality.

"Margaret's Marriage (#5.24)" (Original Air Date: 3/15/77)-- In this fifth-season finale, Hot Lips ties the knot with her handsome lieutenant colonel. Of course, the requisite hilarity ensues. This time, Hawk and Beege get Donald plastered (literally!) prior to the ill-fated nuptials. (Larry Linville officially signed off as Maj. Burns at the conclusion of Season 5 and was replaced in Season 6 by snooty Massachusetts General Hospital Chief of Thoracic Surgery Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers).)

News and Views on Election Day '09

It was one year ago today that we, the American people, elected Barack Obama to be our 44th president. Today the naysayers are claiming that all the excitement surrounding last fall's big election, which propelled Obama to the White House, is now no more than "lukewarm support." The main reason they're saying this is that the GOP scored major victories over Dem oponents in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races. (Yes, folks, I called 'em wrong! Oops!) Critics are also saying that these Repub wins put Obama's 2012 (as well as House and Senate Dems' 2010 mid-term election) re-election possibilities in serious jeopardy.

Analysis and Rebuttal: This is hogwash! These GOP wins have nothing to do with President Obama. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs even said so this morning. The elections of Chris Christie in New Jersey and Bob McDonnell in Virginia were largely the result of the anger and outright fanaticism of the GOP's far-right, teabaggin' lunatic fringe. The majority of the American people realize this, and the Repubs' reactionary campaign strategy will most certainly backfire in 2010 and 2012.

Return to the Ashleyverse

For the past several days, I've been posting various lists and other fun stuff on here. Well, I've decided to update y'all on various Ashleyverse happenings this afternoon. First off, I taught all day and am sort of tired right now. Secondly, I'm getting ready to watch A Thief in the Night again in order to finalize the details of my part of that Libertine adaptation presentation that will take place in class Thursday night. (I'll be so glad when that's over!) In additon, I'm beginning my preliminary research for my big project that's due at the end of the semester. I'm going to write about the failed political conspiracy plot/coup in Venice Preserved. Again, I'll be happy to get that thing taken care of. Finally, I'm waiting to hear whether I got the grad assistantship or not. (Dang, I'm on pins and needles atm.) As always, I'll let y'all know as soon as I get word. Alright, I've gotta start studying. Namaste, ya'll!

Best Lonesome Dove Quotes from Parts III & IV of Miniseries

Howdy, y'all! Yesterday I discussed my fave quotes from the first half of the Lonesome Dove miniseries. Accordingly, I will talk about the best ones from the second half today. (Warning: Some of these quotes and/or accompanying analyses may contain spoilers.)
Best Quotes from Pt. III: The Plains:
1.) "Men are not supposed to leave their own country and go travelin' elsewhere."-- Joshua Deets (Danny Glover), the most spiritual member of the outfit, basically saying that he has a bad vibe about the trip. Yes, this quote is a foreshadowing of bad things to come.
2.) "Well, she's a lady who can slash your jugular quicker than a Comanche. Clara's got a sharp tongue. She's tomahawked me many a time in the past. You'll like her."-- Gus' description of his (married) onetime sweetheart-- Clara Allen (nee Forsythe)-- who lives with her husband and two daughters on a ranch outside Ogalalla, Nebraska; Gus is consoling a concerned Lorie after he confesses to her that Clara is the "only reason he come on this trip [cattledrive to Montana]." (According to my family, this is a pretty dang accurate description of my personality. LOL!)
3.) "Oh, I never noticed you havin' accidents with ugly girls!"-- Clara's (Anjelica Huston) best line. Clara is upset that Gus has brought young, pretty Lorie with him to see Clara, given the fact that Clara and Gus haven't seen each other in sixteen years; Gus had previously told Clara that it was an accident Lorie was even on the trip in the first place.
4.) "No, I won't marry again. As time goes on, I've got less and less use for grown men, and I've met very few who were honest. You ain't one of 'em, Gus."-- Soon-to-be-widowed Clara breaking Gus' heart for good by telling him that they don't have a future together
5.) "Sure, I'll be back. A lady's man like me can't be expected to resist such a passle of beauties!"-- Gus telling Clara, Lorie, and Clara's gals that he'll come back from Montana to spend the rest of his life with these beautiful women he loves (a very sweet scene)
Best Quotes from Pt. IV: Return:
1.) "It's a dangerous business-- writin' to two women at the same time."-- Another classic Gus-ism. Here, he's on his deathbed and writing letters to Clara and Lorie as Woodrow keeps vigil.
2.) "Back to Texas? You me want to haul you back to Texas?"-- Woodrow's very Woodrow response to Gus' burial request, which is to be buried in "Clara's Orchard," which is located down by that lil' creek in San Antonio; Gus and Clara used to picnic (and quarrel!) there.
3.) "Aye God, Woodrow, it's been quite a party, ain't it?"-- Gus' last words, which say it all
4.) "I guess that old woman didn't teach you to fly after all."-- Woodrow's reaction to the death of half-breed outlaw Blue Duck (Frederic Forrest), whom Gus and Woodrow had pursued unsuccessfully throughout their careers as Texas Rangers
5.) "A man of vision, you say? Yeah, helluva vision!"-- The last lines in the film, spoken by Woodrow, who has just returned to Lonesome Dove after hauling Gus from Montana to Texas and burying him as requested. Woodrow utters these lines after a newspaper reporter from San Antonio, wanting to interview Woodrow, tells Capt. Call that lots of people are calling him this. The scene is accompanied by powerful flashbacks of characters and scenes from the whole miniseries. I swear, if y'all don't tear up, something is seriously wrong. LOL!
(Stay tuned, folks. There are so many great quotes in this movie that I've decided to include a "bonus list," which I reckon I'll post on Saturday.)

Best Lonesome Dove Quotes from Parts I & II of Miniseries

This past summer, I analyzed and discussed my all-time favorite miniseries-- Lonesome Dove (1989). Well, folks, there's another marathon of it on today, and I've selected some of the best quotes from Parts I & II to talk about.
Best Quotes from Pt. I: Leaving:
1.) "The older the violin, the sweeter the music."-- Capt. Gus McCrae (Robert Duvall) in regards to his perspective on the aging process
2.) "Well, you're one to talk. When's the last time you changed?"-- Gus to Capt. Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones) after Call has remarked that old rangerin' buddy Jake Spoon (Robert Urich) is still the same ne'er-do-good he always was
3.) "The only shot the boy's got at an education is listenin' to me talk."-- Gus telling Woodrow that young Newt Dobbs (Ricky Schroeder) will learn more about life if Gus can teach him about the finer things in life as opposed to being worked to death by Woodrow
4.) "Can we eat yet, or do we have to wait until the argument's over?"-- Cpl. Pea Eye Parker (Timothy Scott) humorously commenting on the captains' constant bickering
5.) "I doubt they'd shoot a boy, even in Texas."-- Ft. Smith, Arkansas, sheriff July Johnson's (Chris Cooper) wife, Elmira (Glenne Headly), convincing her husband to take son Joe with him to Texas (ostensibly to capture Jake Spoon, who murdered July's brother, Benny) so that Ellie can go to Nebraska to find her old flame, the imprisoned D. Boot
Best Quotes from Pt. II: On the Trail:
1.) "The best way to deal with death is to ride away from it."-- Capt. Call, telling the young cowboys, including Newt, Dish Boggett (D.B. Sweeney), and Jasper Fant (Barry Tubb), to not succumb to death (or the dark, negative aspects of life) during the funeral of Sean O'Brien, a young Irishman bitten to death by water moccasins while crossing the Rio Grande River on horseback
2.) "I don't know about friends. I'm sure you was a good customer."-- Call retorting to Gus after Gus says that Maggie (Call's now-deceased lover, a whore and Newt's mother) was a good friend of his-- from the San Antonio/creek scene-- one of the best in the entire movie
3.) "My wife is in Hell, where I sent her. She could make good biscuits, but her behavior was terrible."-- Po Campo, who is recruited by the captains to be camp cook after their original cook, Bolivar, quits
4.) "Listen to me, pretty lil' thing: Life in San Francisco is still just life. If you want only one thing in life, that one thing is liable to be a disappointment."-- Gus to Lorena "Lorie Darlin'" Wood (Diane Lane), who's all upset that Jake won't take her to San Francisco and free her from her menial existence in Lonesome Dove
5.) "Aye God, Woodrow, you don't never seem to get the point. It ain't dyin' I'm talkin' about-- it's livin'!"-- Gus basically summing up his whole philosophy, which is that life is meant to be lived