The Defenders " The Non Violent" season 3, episode 33

EG Marshall, Robert Reed
Guest Stars James Earl Jones, Mark Leonard, Gene Raymond

[@tnate6004]

What a show for its time! A very nuanced look at idealism vs. pragmatism in the long arching battle for justice.

[@bobgold57]

Great to see James Earl in this early role. I wish this one didn't have to be tied up in the hour allotted. Thanks for posting these. I remain stunned at all the ground this early 60's show covered. There was so much heart in the writing. Interesting to imagine watching these shows back in that time.

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agree, they touched on some controversial topics for the time (capitol punishment, rehabilitation of criminals). The producers weren't afraid to put them out there, and the screenplay and acting was superb. This was real-life stuff but better than Perry Mason who always wins his case!

[@olivercrangle7160]

I'm waiting for the sequel titled "The Violent." They had the high moral ground in the sixties,but now they build statues of low lifes.

[@gilbertgiles]

This remarkable episode aired on June 6, 1964. There is no doubt in my mind it was seen by Andrew Goodman, likely with his parents. Goodman, along with James Chaney and Michael Schwerner all died on June 21st in Mississippi. May they rest in peace, and God bless them, and all the others that have died for justice, freedom, and equality.

[@doristhomson3082]

took me a few mins to figure out who that was----------recognized the great voice but the face------- closed my eyes and knew. James Earl Jones-one of the finest and talented actors around. First time I ever saw him as a young man. As for the story line, I am 74 yrs old. and I can remember those early days. I have never understood why people did not want to let the Black man have a real place in society.

[@vickyabramowitz2885]

Doris Thomson. Because of "tradition." Why upset the apple cart if it doesn't need to be upset? There were lots of people, mostly white, living the life of a first class citizen in those days. No one in that privileged class cared much about minority groups (Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, etc) living a second class life because they had been denied job opportunities that whites took for granted.

[@jankutac9753]

Well them not getting jobs, that's not really the fault of politics, it's about the majority of stupid, racist business owners. I find governments, no matter which, are normally more progressive than the average common man

[@cal4134]

What a phenomenal episode! The writers were brave to tackle such an unpopular subject at the time. And they didn’t take the easy way out with embarrassing cliches. They dramatized it with nuance and complexity and genuine passion. WAY WAY ahead of its time!

[@cruzcontrol1504]

Thanks, you post 'em, I watch 'em !!!

[@robrowland71]

We seemed​ more aware and compasion​ate​ back then. The story telling and acting was fantastic.

[@raymondhorton9668]

James Earl Jones! Such an acting talent! Years before his big break on Broadway in “The Great White Hope”!

[@seanhanley9942]

Really awesome show. I just purchased season 1. Hoping full Defenders series eventually becoming available. /Thanks for posting deeply moving poignant still sadly relevant episode.

[@rubypearl2298]

Wouldn't that be GREAT if they remastered & put out seasons 2-4? I think it was 2016 or 2017 when Shout Factory released season 1. I'd guess that sales weren't good enough to justify a release of other seasons. BUT....let's HOPE!

[@PaulTesta]

​@rubypearl2298 Still holding out hope for Seasons 2-4 in some format. In the meantime, thanks for posting the episodes you did! Really appreciate it.

[@SoBe80s.]

Intelligent and thought-provoking television. That's something we don't often find today. I bet many of the CBS affiliates in the south were not pleased about this episode.

[@sexymama1966]

i bet some didn't even air this one

[@AllenJones-w3p]

PERRY MASON never tackled issues like these!

[@sabineeins2651]

Thinking of what this came to recently makes my sick in the stomach.

[@melaniescott3776]

James Earl Jones I ❤️You and your craft

[@melaniescott3776]

Love this series

[@TheSashapooch]

Ah, Spock's dad Sarek - Mark Leonard! Lovely to see him.

[@PaulThompson-v3p]

Gosh, you're right - the first Romulan Captain we meet in Star Trek. I was thrown by the fact that Ruby Pearl #2 credits him as "Leonard" with an "o" and not "Lenard" as he shows up on the end credits, and as he is usually known.

[@ThePiratemachine]

Well, it's going on I'm afraid -

[@lostmrsmoss]

I love this show. The issues it raises were timely in the 60s... and they're still timely today. No easy answers. Just thoughtful exploration. Well done!

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Sam Groom played the young man. Fine actor with a long career.

[@kurttoy5035]

I first heard of this series when it aired on Saturday evenings after Jackie Gleason. I was only 2, but I recall hearing the theme when I was in bed. This was 1964.

[@Michael88t]

James Earl wonderful performance. Good for the times. Shows how far we’ve gone

[@Michael88t]

Unfortunately it has swung so far the point of unbalance

[@michaelhoffman5486]

omg u crazy @@Michael88t

[@williamwatson3586]

Watching the series and like it very much, quite a few stars at the start of their career, This one has Sam Groom

[@melaniescott3776]

Wonderful the cop that carried them to the car,became very famous for co starring with the Famous Actress Nell Carter star of “Gimme a Break “! He played the Dad and she the Housekeeper and friend (Auntie)

[@roxannesantoro7503]

He was Dolph Sweet. He lived in my apartment building in New York City, in the seventies.

[@robinavalyn9513]

Holy crap. James Earl Jones! Mark Lenard!

[@AllenJones-w3p]

AKA Darth Vader and Sarek!

[@stephentropiano]

I can not tell how deeply I appreciate that you posted this episode. I have been looking for it for months, along with an episode from season 2, "Man Against Himself" with guest star Ivan Dixon.

[@WkdWnch007]

I didn't know of this show or "For the People" at the time...such good television. Miss the GOOD of the age. Great to see favorite stars as they were then. Thank you for bringing it back!!!

[@ellascott4497]

👍☕ Thank you...

[@stevensica89]

I wonder if young Mr. Pell grew up to be a Neo-Conservative in his old age?

[@patrickcorliss8878]

Now I remermber why I used to love "the Defenders" back in the day. Just brilliant. It's not suprising that this 1964 episode has the very high IMDb rating of 8.0.

[@hadassahrose8295]

Such an important show in light (or dark) of our current century. The pendulum has swung radically in a divergent direction - even past goals that have been met. I can just imagine how this episode would be lost on CRT adherents.

[@michaelreid6937]

Thank you so much for posting this very poignant episode. ☮️

[@franklehane8843]

18:38 moment of compromise

[@PaulThompson-v3p]

So impressive an episode was this that I can recall it with eidetic clarity from when I first saw it broadcast on the BBC in the early 1960s. How wonderful to see the early career of James Earl Jones.

[@jankutac9753]

Well, it also shows how clever people in power like to play the game. Throw them a crumble, and they'll be so happy they'll forget they were originally fighting for the bread. Plus they'll argue among themselves

[@dirkbruere]

This is how sellouts happen

[@susanhorton9492]

do you have episode the prisoner ?

[@rubypearl2298]

I uploaded all the episodes I have.

[@raymondhorton9668]

Thank you, Ruby!!!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

39:00 what a bunch of bs, sitting in the street is not by any means a legal activity and can't be put under the freedom of speech thing. and no, I am not a lawyer.

[@fredneecher1746]

True. They dropped that angle and went for obstructing traffic, which they got off on a technicality (the street itself was not actually obstructed).

[@TheSashapooch]

Neither, old timer, was dumping tea in a harbor! Boston bs? But it was legal to deny women the vote and to discriminate against people of color. Both shameful taints and both taken down by the non violent civil resistance of people of enormous courage and vision. Some of whom gave the last measure of commitment in a just cause ... their very lives.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@TheSashapooch well, if you had any brains, you'd know that blocking streets preventing ambulances, fire equipment and police from getting to an emergency is very much different from dumping tea in the bay.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

@@fredneecher1746 I think the obstruction could be easily cleared up if people started running over the fools that tried to block traffic.

[@vickyabramowitz2885]

MissouriOldTimer. Have you ever heard of the phrase "civil disobedience?" The famous nineteenth century American author, Henry David Thoreau, espoused nonviolent protest as a way to wear down one's opponents in order to obtain much needed change in society. It was a method that was employed by both Mohandas Gandhi in British India and by Martin Luther King, Jr. In the "Jim Crow Era" United States. Since British India and Jim Crow laws no longer exist, I would say that those two particular twentieth century leaders achieved their end goal, even though they didn't live to see it, because they were violently murdered. Thank you for stating the obvious, "sitting in the street is not by any means a legal activity." True. Civil disobedience is not lawful. But neither should unjust laws be lawful. The reason nonviolent protest usually works is through attrition. It's a long slow process and requires patience by its practitioners. At one point, the opponent has simply had enough. The opponent is willing to oil the squeaky wheel simply to make it stop squeaking. That's really what it all comes down to in the end.

[@lordscrewtape2897]

The first " white savior" plotline...

[@michaelhoffman5486]

whoawhoa holdup a second mr bevalaqua???????????seinfelds gym teacher??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!