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Fourth Season |
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Fourth Season |
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4.85 An Anger Greater Than Mine
Don Sebastian, John |
Embittered former revolutionary Diego De La Paula leads his newly-formed army of
liberation in a series of harassing raids on the vast lands and herds of the
Cannons and Montoyas.
Written by Don Balluck
Directed by William Wiard
Story Line: Diego De La Paula charges that the Cannons and Montoyas won their wealth at the expense of his deposed hero, Maximilian. Aware of the seriousness and growing destructive power of the vengeful Diego, John Cannon and Don Sebastian Montoya join forces to thwart the attacks with a unique plan that results in a face-to-face confrontation between the elder Montoya and the self-styled liberator.
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Guest Stars: |
 Alejandro Rey as Diego De La Paula |
 Nate Esformes as Francisco |
 Val De Vargas as Rodrigo |
 Nico De Silva as Pepe |
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Character Highlights: The sweetheart Victoria believed to have been dead (played with great intensity by Alejandro Rey) when she married John Cannon, reappears and results in some confusing feelings for her. She never wavers in her devotion to John but is surprised by her feelings for Diego and disturbed by his current criminal bent and his vendetta against both her father and her husband. Mano has a good scene where he confronts Diego about Victoria being the real reason behind his attack on the High Chaparral. John and Don Sebastian cooperate with a plan to help each other battle Diego but when it comes down to implementing it Don Sebastian momentarily considers backing out. His foreman, Rodrigo, objects though, appealing to his good word and sense of honor. Don Sebastian comes through in the end, personally fighting and besting Diego rather than submit to his demands. Very tender scenes between John and Victoria. Episode includes a flashy one-footed stirrup jump by Joe in the pony express-style relay. For those interested in information about the time and distance between High Chaparral and Rancho Montoya, it is discussed in detail here.
******************************| Complete Episode Synopsis:
Both the High Chaparral and the Rancho Montoya are plagued with bandits
that not only steal cattle, but murder the ranch hands, too. In a fit of
rage, Don Sebastian visits the High Chaparral and demands that John honor his
pre-nuptial agreement to defend the Montoya ranch. He also reveals what the
Cannons did not know: the identity of the leader of the bandidos is Diego de
la Paola, a former neighbor of the Montoyas. Manolito tells John of the
misfortunes of that family, and how the young Diego was thrown into prison
for backing the Maximilian forces during the revolution against Juarez.
Diego, long believed dead by the Montoyas, was released from prison, and
returned to Sonora to find that his lands had been bought by his Montoya
neighbors and all his family holdings were lost. |
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Knowing now that the attacks on the two ranches are a result of a personal vendetta, John realizes that Diego has declared a total war on the High Chaparral. He refuses to come to Mexico to defend the Rancho Montoya for fear that he would only return to find his own ranch in ashes. Don Sebastian departs in a huff, and John dispatches Manolito to see what he can find out from Diego. From Diego Mano learns his father's words are true, that the bandido is mad. His demand is that Don Sebastian sign over his family's old lands as well as half of the Montoya holdings, and he vows to destroy the High Chaparral unless the gringos there assist him in convincing Don Sebastian to sign. |
| Manolito exposes his true motivation, however, in accusing Diego of avenging himself on the High Chaparral because Victoria, Diego's former sweetheart, married John Cannon. Diego denies the allegation hotly enough for Manolito to size up the man perfectly. Back at the High Chaparral, the raids continue, and at both ranches, workers desert in droves. Troubled at Victoria's silence through all of this, John attempts to find out from her how she feels about Diego, but she seems unable to articulate it. |
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An idea comes to John that will make it possible for the two ranches to work together against their common enemy by setting up a relay system between the ranches akin to the Pony Express. Don Sebastian expresses no confidence in the plan, but begrudgingly agrees to follow it. The next few days are spent in nervous anticipation of the next raid. The High Chaparral is hit next, and the plan is put into full swing. |
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Fires are lit answering other signal fires, with the distance in between
being covered by Pony Express-style riding. Joe is appointed for this job,
but after his first change of horse, he is shot by a bandit. At the
bandido camp we learn that Francisco, Diego's
second in command, had suspected some kind of plan and prepared for it.
Francisco, a cynical but realistic man, has been questioning Diego all along
about his motivation, and although he willingly threw in his lot with Diego,
he has no delusions about how the venture will likely end. |
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Meanwhile, Joe is
able to fire a shot that alerts some Montoya vaqueros to his position, and
the last leg of his journey is completed by one of them. The Montoya hands
mobilize, but not without some last moment vacillation by Don Sebastian, and
they ride to meet the High Chaparral force. Meanwhile,
the bandidos have also anticipated this, and the Montoya men take
cover in the face of a larger bandido force. Don Sebastian approaches Diego,
who hands him the title for his family lands to sign. |
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Don Sebastian is again defiant, but Diego is able to soften him by pointing out that his pride will only get his vaqueros killed. Don Sebastian seems ready to sign, and Diego laughs in triumph. This is too much for the Old Lion, and he attacks Diego. Both men scuffle, trying to get at the gun that Diego has dropped. At the same time, the High Chaparral men ride up, and all three parties watch the two men wrestle. Finally, Don Sebastian snatches the gun, and Diego is beaten. |
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Diego screams for Francisco to kill everyone, but Francisco sees
that he is outnumbered, and that Diego is finished. The bandidos ride away,
leaving Diego, who sinks to his knees and cries, "Victoria--help
me!" Don Sebastian, knowing the meaning of his words, tells John that
he is sorry that his friend had to hear it. John however, bolstered by the
parting words of love his wife had given him, replies confidently that Don
Sebastian underestimates him. (Synopsis by Lisa McKenzie)
Much of this
material, including the Story Line descriptions, comes from The High
Chaparral Press Kit released in 1971.
The Character
Highlights were written by Charlotte Lehan. The Episode Synopses were
written by members of the HC Discussion Group and are attributed at the
end of each one.
Especially good
portrayals of these characters
