Legal Commentary

Gus Dies

By Tom Kirkendall

Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove is one of the best Texas novels of our time. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was later made into a wonderful television mini-series, which starred Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones as the iconic former Texas Rangers, Gus McRae and Woodrow Call.

One of the best scenes from the mini-series -- and arguably one of the best scenes ever produced for television -- is the scene in which Gus dies after being badly injured in an Indian ambush. After searching for his missing friend, Call finds Gus in a doctor's office after Gus has had one of his gangrene-infected legs amputated. Rather than have his other infected leg amputated, Gus elects to die.

Two old friends -- played by brilliant actors at the top of their game -- have a final conversation. Television has never been better. Enjoy.

Full post as published by Houston's Clear Thinkers on November 21, 2009 (boomark / email).