Centennial (A 12 Part Miniseries 1979) PART THREE

(WARNING!!! SPOILERS TO PREVIOUS EPISODES INVOLVED!!!)
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CHAPTER 3: THE WAGON AND THE ELEPHANT

Our story takes us East, to the Pennsylvania Mennonite community and young Levi Zendt. Falsely accused of sexual assault, Levi refuses to abide by the punishment decreed and heads west with his friend Elly and the two are soon married with a child on the way. They are headed toward Oregon to start their new lives together, joining a full train with other travelers; Oliver Seccombe (Timothy Dalton), Captain Maxwell Mercy (Chad Everett) and trail leader Sam Purchas (the ever menacing Donald Pleasance).

The story here takes an interesting turn because so much of the series has, so far, depended so much on our relationship with Pasquinell. But Levi Zendt steps into familiar shoes with a very different journey and approach to life. Where Pasquinel came at life with passion, Zendt is steady with compassion and warmth. Where Pasquinel faced things head and faces the mountains, Levi allows the mountains to seep into him. His road converges at a trading post with McKeag, with whom he will develop a stronger bond as the episode continues.

Of all the characters in Centennial, Levi Zendt has always been my favorite. Gregory Harrison is great in the role, but as an adult I can't quite speak to the quality that brought Levi to life in my young eyes. He was modest, he was secure, and in a later episode he would be described as a "serious man", and none of that usually speaks to a quality that most young men would gravitate toward. But, more than anything, he was also reasonable and courageous and he was just "good"... which appealed to me then and appeals to me now.

It's important to note that this episode acts as an anchoring point for several of the characters who would have larger roles to play in the series as time wears on. We find out that Maxwell Mercy, for example, is the husband to Lissette Pasquinel (The "white" daughter of our series initial lead). His struggle to balance the two worlds of the Native and the Settlers will carry through the next few episodes as well, including strong interactions with the Pasquinel Brothers.

3.5 out of 5, as this is the most episodic of the series so far without a true conclusion- it leaves our main protagonist in a bit of a cliff-hanger and urges continued watching with the fourth in the series.