Talk:Nichols (TV series)

Nichols vs. Maverick
One key difference between Garner's first Nichols character and "Maverick" was that the performance was much warmer and openly ingratiating than Garner's earlier Bret Maverick. When the first Nichols is killed off in the last episode, the much chillier twin brother puts one a bit more in mind of the first series. Bret Maverick, in tone, is a sort of combination of the two Nichols brothers. My favorite moment in the Nichols series occurs in the final episode, when Margot Kidder's character abruptly realizes that the twin brother isn't as bright as the original Nichols. This was as subtly brilliant as it was chilling. If the direction would have gone the way of "The Day They Hanged Bret Maverick," the second season opener of the first series (like "The Rockford Files," "Nichols" frequently borrowed from "Maverick"), and Garner was the same character masquerading as a mustachioed twin brother, that scene would be even more resonant. Jump Forward Immediately (talk) 19:00, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

I take exception to Wiki's diversifications. Nichols does revert slightly back to his con-man persona in a few episodes. Like, when he tries to sell his own mother: "collapsible barrels".174.18.11.175 (talk) 15:23, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

talk, talk, talk
I vaguely remember the series from my college days. I've watched several episodes on getTV. As an unproduced screenwriter, I'm amazed at the incredibly talky scripts. (This is in strking contrast with Gunsmoke, which elevated empty conversation to a fine art.) The huge amount of dialog, combined with many scenes taken in a single shot, must have caused significant production delays. It might also have discouraged viewers. WilliamSommerwerck (talk) 23:11, 15 May 2016 (UTC)

I don't mind the rhetoric. It reminds me of slick-talking "Maverick". Garner will never escape this typecast! I'm glad he never did. And, "Nichols" is not really a western, anyway, as it is set after 1895. More a "Zapata" Western, if even that. Unique, not to be compared with the silence, the two-word dialogues,  if that much, and instant shoot-outs of "Gunsmoke", "The Rifleman", "Rawhide".

And, now living in AZ, I find it refreshing he is up north, in the mountains. Only about half of AZ is that desert. Even if it's probably filmed in CA, there are lots of pine trees above 5,000 feet. It does looks like that. :)

Anyone remember "Hec Ramsey"? Set in 1902. Even Richard Boone, Harry Morgan couldn't make a go of it. Even introducing modern forensics, like a comparison microscope. (Ramsey refuses to use an issue .38, Yet, insists on modern investigation techniques?)174.18.11.175 (talk) 15:50, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

Anachronisms
I love any turn of the century themes, introducing Mazda lamps, OHV Chevrolets, etc, but, like most movies and TV, I find anachronisms:

If "Nichols" is set in 1914, why does the machine gun Nichols "hates" be a 1917 Browning?

A partner in a silver mine flop (now, it seems "Maverick" gets conned, a cute reversal!) whispers that he and his mule:  "Served together with 'Black Jack' Pershing." This would date it 1916 or later. (It is true, Pershing served in Philippine Insurrection, but, was involved in no more shooting until the Mexican Punitive Expedition of '16. He was not famous to general public--although Nichols ex-Army--until then.  Also, the  wounds that brought  Nichols' attention are recent, not from 1904. They would have been  12 years old.)

If it is 1916, why no mention of Villa's raid? Or, the Great War( WWI)? Why the Mazda bulbs, when Coolidge tungsten filaments came out in '16? Much brighter, whiter light, more shockproof. If the town of Nichols is so proud of its electrification, it would have them, too.

Nichols' Model JD Harley-Davidson often "morphs" into a modern two-stroke. This is acceptable, as those old Harleys are rare (value $83,000 in 2016), and performed like a moped. Sergio Leone was forced to substitute a 1930's WLA for a 1913 HD in "Duck, You Sucker". It was retroed with bigger fenders, diamond tank, etc. Again, in Spain, where it was filmed, old HD's were even rarer. And shooting-up a vintage 'cycle, even with dummy tanks, was probably out of his budget.

I have been wondering when it was set, as it could be 1913-1917. Cars all seem to have electric lights, not available until 1916. (Although G/M, REO, had electric starters as far back as '13.) Yet Nichols' cycle still has acetylene headlamp (Actually, I prefer this.) Many bicycles and cars did not have electrics as they went out suddenly, unlike carbide/acetylene which grew merely dim if not refilled/recharged. Carbide lasted forever if can was sealed. And, no batteries to go dead. Electrics weren't popular for this reason until about the war.

Even in "The Wild Bunch", and " Villa Rides"; mentions are made of the: "war", when they were set in 1913 and 1912. The Great War (WWI) happened very suddenly, no buildup or warning. The assassination in 1914, then war in August. Only a few months.174.18.11.175 (talk) 15:46, 3 September 2016 (UTC)