Mystery Island may not be top notch Doc, but it has some really interesting things in it for Doc fans.
In this book we have the insatiable Monk romancing throughout as subtext. He is partying and out often in this episode and becomes a nuisance. He is such a dog that when he is on the phone about hitmen he starts hitting on the operator, Hester. This Hester bit really develops and this will lead later to some real trouble for Monk. Monk delivers a line about her to Ham that is worth repeating:
"The rest of you stay here," Doc said. "You might as well get some sleep, or do whatever you want to do. Long Tom and I can do what needs to be done."
Monk consulted his watch. "Say, the evening is still young. I believe
I'll look up Hester."
"Once she sees you, you won't get far with Hester," Ham said.
Monk grinned. "You don't know me. Around the ladies, I'm so dangerous that I oughta have a red lantern."
Johnny gets his star shined in this tale, by none other than Doc himself. While Johnny always uses small words in deference around Doc, Doc states unequivocably that Johnny is the best geologist alive and a full 100 years ahead of his time. Coming from Doc that is about the highest praise any person could ever dream of receiving.
Last, but never least, we have the superman himself. Doc does his usual amazing stunts, like nerve pinches, croc hunting, surviving deadly plane crashes, and being shot with rifles. But one particular scene you have to love because it proves yet again how tough, determined, and damn inhuman Doc can be. He is staked down and left to die, but frees himself and then... WAITS TWO HOURS MORE just to trick people and set a trap. Who else could not only free themselves but lie staked out for an extra two hours just to spring a better trap?
Holy Bronze Man, they don't make heroes like that any more!
- | - January 18, 2006 04:28 PM
