The Fugitive Recaptured: The 30th Anniversary Companion to a Television Classic

by Ed Robertson

Provides a synopsis for all 120 episodes along with the original air date, writer, director, guest cast, prolog, and epilog. Also included are a list of the fugitive's aliases, jobs and locations for each episode and a Mike Ryko "interview" with Dr. Kimble.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Ed Robertson is a freelance author, journalist, and media analyst.

Robertson's articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Wave Magazine, and Media Life Magazine. His books on television include "The Fugitive Recaptured," "The Ethics of Star Trek," "Maverick: Legend of the West," "Thirty Years of The Rockford Files," and "The Case of the Alliterative Attorney: A Guide to the Perry Mason TV Series and Made-for-TV Movies." He has appeared on the programs Biography, Showbiz Today and Entertainment Tonight. He has also consulted on documentaries produced by NBC, The Biography Channel, E! Entertainment Television and Warner Bros. Home Video.

Reviews

[Daniel Hiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Fugitive" is one of the best series to ever grace television. And as a guide to episode trivia, this book is a great resource; the extras the author includes are very interesting. The analysis of the interplay between Kimble, Gerard, and Johnson is well done, as is the author's analysis of the main characters' motives. But Robertson falls prey to personal opinion, or expediency, or both, when it comes to certain episode synopses and comments. Some are too brief, to the point of being dismissive, the author more interested in unrelated show trivia than in what went into a specific episode that made it really work, or not; derisive comments about other episodes belie the objective attitude one would assume a good reviewer would adopt. In other words, the author lets his opinions about the worthiness of some shows get in the way of his duty as an impartial reviewer. Sure, Robertson has the right to voice his opinions- but many times they're based on personal preference rather than on anything a fan or reader could identify with. Episodes that I, as an inveterate fan, truly enjoy, Robertson sometimes rips to shreds. Well, to each their own. Overall, this is a valuable book for fans new and old, the show well worth the time invested to truly enjoy it.

[Charlie Eckhaus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives a sense of the importance of the series and the surprisingly hostile industry attitude to creator Huggins' concept. Probably a lot of sheepish skulking in the following years.

Surprised at Huggins' attribution of the Sam Sheppard case's influence to coincidence.

Enjoyed Barry Morse's fond recollection of his working on the show.

Finding the episode guide and photos a nostalgic visit to my viewing the A&E reruns back in the 90s.

Addresses the rumors about whodunit circulating around The Judgment.

Includes reprints of the amusing Mad magazine parody of the show, a satirical visit with the post-Judgment Kimble and the "signature" Huggins wrote to sell the show to ABC (much of which was fulfilled by the series.)

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 3 out of 5]

You'd think this series would've deserved (and earned) a better account than this. The quotes from participants should've been edited, since they frequently become repetitious. And I grew very very tired indeed of hearing about what a great great great guy David Janssen was...and how everybody missed him...and how key he was to the whole show...and how underrated he was. Etc etc. Also the author intruded his mickey-mouse viewpoints into a few places (which was most unwelcome indeed). On the plus side (unless of course you're seeking comprehensiveness), the episode synopses did not give away the whole plots and endings...so you can read them before watching the shows and not have them spoil the finale for you.

[Michael P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is a crap writer but a good researcher, resulting in a book that is full of interesting information about this show that ought to be more fun to read. The publisher is a crap organizer and uses crap design - it looks so desktop published - but was willing to take a chance on a book that really ought to exist.

This is more of a three and a half star book than a three star, but it certainly does not deserve four.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in love with David Janssen when The Fugitive was on TV (1963-66), and I really loved the show! Well-written and researched, this book covers every episode and more. It even includes the Mad Magazine spoof, The Phewgitive! Perfect book for a diehard fan like me. Unbelievable that this series started 50 years ago! How old AM I?