"Bear With Me"
Episode Summary
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Written by: Suzanne Bolch and John May
Directed by: Gary Harvey
Aired on Nickelodeon: April 9, 2000 at 8:00 p.m.
My Overall Opinion of the Episode:
During the first season, it seemed as if Caitlin was always having an experience with one kind of animal or another. This helped to add a good amount of adventure to the series. "Bear With Me" is probably the most exciting of the episodes with an animal theme.
The Cast:
Nathaniel Arcand -- Garth Crowchild
Cynthia Belliveau -- Dori Lowe
Lindsay Felton -- Caitlin Seeger
Brendan Fletcher -- Eric Anderson
Jeremy Foley -- Griffen Lowe
Peter Strand Rumpel -- Zoo handler
Ken Tremblett -- Jim Lowe
The Music:
"Yogi Bear" -- Cinderpop
"Wishing for a Sail" -- Dig Circus
Episode Summary:
A zoo bear named Houdini has escaped from captivity and is running loose around High River. The safety and lives of the local residents are at risk. Jim and Dori make an intense effort to capture the bear. Dori tries to set up a bear cage to catch Houdini. Caitlin, however, is troubled by the idea that Houdini will not be allowed to run free. She has read that animals in captivity don't live as long as those who are in the wild. She sabotages Dori's trap. She even regularly brings food to Houdini. Caitlin finally realizes how serious the situation is when the bear attacks at the Lowe's ranch. Griffen is chased by the bear and barely escapes with his life! Caitlin finally takes Jim to the place where she has been feeding Houdini. Dori and a zoo handler go along. Houdini is captured and is sent to an animal refuge where he can run free.
Episode Highlights:
1. Jim is the sheriff of High River and it is his job to protect the community. When he discovers that Caitlin has been taking food to the bear, he is understandably upset. Caitlin, however, refuses to tell him where she has been feeding the bear. Jim takes her to his office and makes her sit with Garth, the deputy. Garth suddenly gets a phone call from Stan Pederson. The bear has been sighted! Garth says to Stan, "That's great, Mr. Pederson! I'll be right there!" Caitlin, however, steals Garth's keys and locks Garth in Jim's office! A short time later, Caitlin says through the door, "How are you doing in there, Garth? Don't worry. I'll let you out just as soon as I know Houdini is far, far away. Oh, and by the way. First rule of law enforcement: never leave your keys unguarded!" Suddenly, to Caitlin's surprise, the front door opens and Garth walks in with Jim and Dori! Garth says, "Oh, Caitlin, by the way. First rule of hostage taking: never lock someone in a room with windows and a walkie-talkie that connects him to Jim!"
2. Caitlin is genuinely concerned about Houdini and she doesn't want to see him forced back into captivity. She doesn't realize the risk that she is placing herself and others in by preventing Houdini from being captured. After Griffen's life is placed in danger, however, Caitlin learns that what she thinks is the best course of action may not necessarily be the best course of action. Caitlin says in her closing epilogue: "Sometimes doing what you think is best for someone isn't always the right answer. You have to look at what they need and not necessarily what they want. And although I can't speak for Houdini, I know that for me I'm still trying to figure out the difference."
3. One of the things that I like about the first season of episodes is the number of adventures that Caitlin has with animals. This episode focuses on Caitlin's adventures with a bear, but it is not the only episode where Caitlin has an adventure with an animal of some kind. In Stray, Caitlin is rescued from a rabid wolf by her horse Bandit. In Boundaries, Caitlin and Griffen are chased by a bull. In Solar Mates, Caitlin and Taylor are cornered by a rattlesnake. In Puppy Love, Caitlin helps a dog deliver 13 puppies. The story lines in later episodes focus considerably less on animals.
