The Arrangement

Big John Cannon enters into a marriage of convenience with the daughter of a powerful Mexican cattle baron in order to cement an alliance against rampaging Apaches. Cannon's young son Billy, still grieving over the death of his mother who was killed by Apaches, resents his new stepmother but resents his father even more for getting married "before my ma is even cold in her grave". As if Big John didn't have enough trouble, he learns that Apache chief Cochise is about to lead an attack against his ranch.

This second part of the series' two-part pilot serves as a good introduction to the series. Linda Cristal is fine as the beautiful patrician daughter Victoria Montoya who is Cannon's new wife, Cameron Mitchell is in his element as Buck, Big John's raucous and rambunctious brother. Mark Slade overdoes it a bit as the headstrong but sensitive young Billy, but the climactic Apache attack on the ranch is exciting and well-done. Overall, a very worthy effort.

The High Chaparral was slowly embody new characters to start in plentiful way, Big John meets once more the troublemaker Monolito, asking for him over your stolen horse, he replied that saves his life, then it was a fair trade, Big John and Buck Cannon saves him from the Rurales, the debt was paid, then the brothers Cannon wants to meet with Don Sebastian Montoya through the facetious Monolito who don't say a thing over his father just takes them to meet him.

There Big John understood that Manolito another time saves his life, Montoya hear a fair proposition over they get together faces the Apache's raid, in changing Montoya offers a practical agreement to accept it, he must get marry with your daughter or no deal, John was begrudging, however in such dramatic condition agree, but Blue isn't willing to accept it so easy due her mother died so recently!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2012 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5.

I never saw "High Chaparral" when it was originally aired from 1967 to 1971. It was only recently that I found reruns on H & I TV and discovered what a wonderful series it is, quite different from other Westerns of the time. Those featured single male leads and women only showed up in guest roles. All had similar plot lines. In this one, we have not only Caucasian men, but Hispanic men and women as well. All the leads have distinct characters: Big John, the fair but narrow minded boss of the ranch, his tender but strong wife Victoria (played by wonderful Linda Crystal), his inexperienced son Blue, his wandering, hotheaded brother Buck and Mano, Victoria's savvy, always laughing brother. The interaction of these well played characters leads to a variety of stories. The supporting players such as Joe, Sam, Pedro and Vaquero contribute to make this series a notch above others. In this particular episode, Big John seeks an alliance with neighbor Don Sebastian Montoya to protect each other from threats by Indians and other marauders. Recently widowed John gets the alliance but something quite unexpected as well; a new wife. How will she fit in as the new mistress of the "High Chaparral?" How will they deal with numerous plots to take possession of that ranch? Watch this marvelous series to find out.