The Seekers

The last of John Jakes' "Kent Family Chronicles" to be adapted for television, "The Seekers" is more faithful to its source material than "The Rebels" was though it makes two critical changes at the end. The first part is devoted to Randolph Mantooth's Abraham Kent and his tragic attempts to set himself up in the Western territory that ends in disaster and death, forcing him to return to Boston where his life ends in failure and misery. Then the second part of the drama focuses on his young son Jared and Jared's half-cousin Amanda.

One key flaw is that after experiencing the youthful Andrew Stevens as Philip Kent in "The Bastard" and "The Rebels" it is utterly impossible to think that just a decade after the events of those novels, Philip Kent is now being played by Martin Milner! (of course "The Rebels" and "The Seekers" were being shot simultaneously so actors couldn't appear in both productions, but even so they should have thought this point out better). Even harder to believe that Pete Malloy is playing Johnny Gage's father. But this is all part of how these big event miniseries worked following the success of "Roots." Stuff as many familiar names from series TV as you can and mix in some younger unknown Universal contract players as well. That accounts for two unknowns taking center stage in the latter part in Timothy Patrick Murphy as Jared, and Sarah Rush as Amanda. Sarah is no relation to Barbara Rush as an earlier reviewer asked (Though she is a distant cousin of James Dean). Sarah was a contract player who had appeared in a number of episodes of "Battlestar Galactica" as Corporal Rigel, the Bridge crewman who would call out, "Enemy closing, fifty microns" etc. "The Seekers' represented her one opportunity at a leading role, and she does a wonderful job. The platonic chemistry with Murphy's Jared is well-done and never approaches the forbidden territory that even distant blood relations shouldn't engage in (even if it was only half-cousins). And the hearttugging ending, a necessary change from the novel which ended on a downer note of Jared and Amanda still separated and not knowing where the other was (which would be resolved in the fourth novel "The Furies" which was never adapted for TV) is where Sarah really gets to shine when she makes a fateful decision on where her destiny in life lies. Those like me who enjoyed her presence on Galactica (and who still enjoy her today in all the Convention appearances she's done as well as recently reprising her role as Rigel in an audio drama with other Galactica cast members) can really appreciate what she does here. Unfortunately, "The Seekers" didn't lead to similar opportunities for Sarah and tiring of the Hollywood lifestyle she returned East after her contract expired and appeared largely in theatrical productions afterwards.

Filmed in 1979, this trilogy still feels fresh. Even though the most important events receive very brief attention, the viewer still feels the experience of life in those times. The books by John Jakes were very much enjoyed by many people. As I say, I could hardly stop watching the nine hours of historical fiction! I haven't seen this before. I think the sex and bosoms are unnecessary distractions, and not very historical!!! However, they do add interest!!! I very much enjoyed seeing so many of my favorite actors in cameo roles, too.

This the tale of a selfish gene,embodied in 4 generations of a family mostly named Kent.Kent men were,as a rule,not to bright and not prone to make good judgment calls.Frequently their heart ruled their heads and frequently they were in trouble. The Kents were frustrated action men I suppose.Anytime they entered into a field of conflict they seemed to harm bystanders,rather than the object of their ire. The story rambles through hours and hours where well-known actors do "bad guy" cameos and are thankfully dispatched quickly.The only "good guy" who is on the side of right and god is,Grizzly Brian Keith.More strength to his elbow,I say. I thought the story was pretty bad,almost funny at times but by and large an ordeal to watch.The third part,"The Seekers" descended into high farce and little Jarrard Kent's escapades were akin to those of Huck Finn. I would never watch this poorly acted,disjointed,poorly scripted flick again.Gets a big "OH DEAR" from me.

"the Seekers" is the third and last mini-series based on John Jakes best-selling Bicentennial books about the fictitious Kent family. Here the focus shifts from Philip Kent, played in the 1st two by Andrew Stevens, but here by Martin Milner to show how much time has passed), to his son Abraham and his stepdaughter Elizabeth. Abraham, played well by Randolph Mantooth of "Emergency" fame, briefly fights the Indians under Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne, abetted by William Clark and Meriweather Lewis, but finds the military no life for him. Returning he is conflicted over his feelings for Elizabeth,played by a very young, very slim Delta Burke! and his Father's desire for him to go into the printing business. Eventually with Elizabeth's encouragement, he decides adventure out west is the way to make his own life, much to his Father's consternation.

Abraham and Elizabeth make a noble effort at farming and despite rogues like Pell, who only desires whiskey and Abraham's new wife Elizabeth, they do get help from the Clappers, erstwhile swedes who carry them till their corn crop comes in. Robert Reed, Mr. Brady!, is good as Mr. Clapper. With their young son Jarrod, it seems the Kent's have a shot a a good life. Alas, not so, farming is hard and unforgiving and when tragedy besets them, Abraham returns to Boston with his young son. There is a scene that will rip your heart out here, but I won't spoil it, watch and try not to cry! The fact that many young peop0le went through this in real life makes it all the more poignant.

Abraham can't get a grip and loses custody of Jarod to his good-hearted, but frail brother Gilbert and his somewhat shrewish wife Harriet. Perfectly played by the aptly named Harriet Karr. So the torch is passed to a new generation; Jarrod and his young cousin Amanda. Timothy Murphy and Sarah Rush play the parts and both are good, despite that they never became "name" actors. Rush is particularly persuasive and appealing.

Jarrod fights nobly in the war of 1812, but makes a bad enemy of the debauched Hamilton Stovall (George Hamilton, proving he's more than just a tan). Uncle Gilbert dies and even the outstandingly decent Mr. Pleasant, played by Ross Martin of "Wild Wild West" fame, can't save Kent and Son's from bad sorts. The worst of these is Mr. Piggott, a smarmy Hugh O'Brian, who deceives Harriet into marriage while eying poor Amamda. Just when you think it couldn't be worse, Stovall returns and Jarrod runs, literally, west with Amanda in tow.

The West is still hard. Nearly killed by evil Captain Drew, played by Neville Brand of "Laredo" fame, they are shown gratitude by Rosey Grier and sent on their way, though neither knows where they're going. Amanda and Jarrod, close as can be, run afoul of the devious Rev. Blackthorne, played well by Stuart Whitman, he, along with every other red-blooded man, has noticed Amamda's striking looks. The dialog here is something to hear! Nice writing John! Jarrod is left on his own, guess what happens? and hooks up with fur-trader Elijah Weatherby, an excellent Brian Keith, to seek that which is lost.

The mood, historical fun, music and sheer heartbreak just suck you in. They improve considerably over the book and Jakes himself has a cameo. Beware Stovall! I don't want to give away the ending, except to say your heart will break along with Jarrod's, but it's a terrific ending. The books view of native Americans is changed here and it's for the better too, making all the tragedies a little more palatable.

It thought this the best of the Kent mini-series and enjoy watching it over and over. The relationship between Jarrod and Amanda is particularly moving and if you enjoy this, read the books! Amanda's story is cont well in the 4th novel, "The Furies" All in all this is as good as historical fiction gets, right up there with North and South and the Blue and the Gray.

Though more downbeat then the two predecessors (and therefore, my least favorite of the trilogy), "The Seekers" was nonetheless an entertaining story, with enough drama, action and history to hold viewers' interest. Once again, the show's full of stars and familiar faces: George Hamilton, Robert reed, Stuart Whitman, Barbara Rush, Delta Burke, to name a few. (Ther's also a Sarah Rush, possibly a relation of Barbara's?)

Randolph Mantooth (who some may recognize as the star of the TV show "Emergency") did an excellent job in the role of Abraham Kent, who was last seen as a child at the end of "The Rebels".

If you're looking for the same upbeat feeling you'd get from the first two stories, you won't find that here, but it's still worth your time.