A poignant episode that should be shown on TV every year as a classic. The troop is out cutting down the fort Christmas tree when they come across Tahn-Te and Lolomi. Lolomi is very close to having a child, and Tahn-Te says they are fleeing and Tahn-Te asks if he may have water for his wife; they have no people or village.
Then more Kiowa arrive. Tahn-Te apologizes for bringing trouble, but he must leave as both he and his wife have been marked for sacrifice. The troopers prepare for action. Soho –Dotsa says the couple they chase are evil, a Medicine Man has prophesied the child of Lolomi will be a new chief, one to replace Soho-Dotsa. Soho-Dotsa says he will kill them and any white men who help. Tahn-Te says he will leave so the soldiers will be safe. But the troopers refuse to let him leave, saying they all volunteer to help.
Rip figures they might make it to the ruined mission of San Juan De La Cruz to make a stand. The troopers are heavily outnumbered. Rip has learned Tahn-Te should have been chief, but Soho used his braves to chase Tahn-Te out; but now fears Tahn-Te's unborn child could be a problem. O'Hara and Boone are stationed together; O'Hara keeps asking what did Boone get him as a Christmas present when an arrow hits Boone in the back. It looks bad for the troopers until Soho is wounded and the Indians retreat.
The quiet of the night is broken first by Rip telling Rusty the story of the first Christmas, then by song as the troopers sing Silent Night. The Kiowa listening are confused by the singing. A second attack is begun but the Indians are driven off. Tahn-Te has fled with Lolomi, and during a truce Masters tells the Kiowa they are gone, perhaps under the protection of their gods. This rattles the Kiowa and they force Soho to accept that they want no more battle with the long-knives; the troopers may leave in the morning without fear of attack.
Soho orders his braves to search everywhere. On the way back to Fort Apache, Rusty believes Rinty can find Tahn-Te and bring him a message to come to Fort Apache. Lolomi fears they will be found and killed. Tahn-Te says even if they are killed, he will find Lolomi in the light beyond the darkness. Soho finds them but before he can strike, Rinty appears and brings him down, and Soho hits his head on a rock.
Rinty is leading Tahn-Te to the fort where they are welcomed. Rip tells the men to bring Lolomi to the infirmary, but she says to take her to the stable, it is the custom of her people. While Lolomi is giving birth, the Kiowa arrive and Soho threatens to kill everyone. Rip tells Soho he has arrived too late; the prophecy has been fulfilled. The strains of Silent Night fill the air and when a Kiowa asks its meaning, Rip says his people celebrate the birthday of another chief, the Chief of Chiefs who will lead his people along the path of peace forever. Rip tells the Kiowa if they lay down their arms, they may enter the fort and look upon their new chief. At the last, Soho enters.
The final shot is a picture of both the Indians and troopers around the new birth. Christmas has arrived.
There is no explanation for the voices heard as it is clear there are both male and female singers. Let's put it down to a Christmas miracle. I am surprised at the content of the episode, not just for the Christmas message but for the quality of the dialogue. Hard to believe this was written for children of my age back then. Either writers didn't grasp the age they were writing for, or we more literate than the current generation. I am inclined to accept the latter position. We were coming off of radio, many of us still listened to Lights Out or the Shadow or other programs, and we still read books and engaged in imaginative and physical play. We were not captives of video games or cell phones. I believe it made for a difference in overall literacy.
Then more Kiowa arrive. Tahn-Te apologizes for bringing trouble, but he must leave as both he and his wife have been marked for sacrifice. The troopers prepare for action. Soho –Dotsa says the couple they chase are evil, a Medicine Man has prophesied the child of Lolomi will be a new chief, one to replace Soho-Dotsa. Soho-Dotsa says he will kill them and any white men who help. Tahn-Te says he will leave so the soldiers will be safe. But the troopers refuse to let him leave, saying they all volunteer to help.
Rip figures they might make it to the ruined mission of San Juan De La Cruz to make a stand. The troopers are heavily outnumbered. Rip has learned Tahn-Te should have been chief, but Soho used his braves to chase Tahn-Te out; but now fears Tahn-Te's unborn child could be a problem. O'Hara and Boone are stationed together; O'Hara keeps asking what did Boone get him as a Christmas present when an arrow hits Boone in the back. It looks bad for the troopers until Soho is wounded and the Indians retreat.
The quiet of the night is broken first by Rip telling Rusty the story of the first Christmas, then by song as the troopers sing Silent Night. The Kiowa listening are confused by the singing. A second attack is begun but the Indians are driven off. Tahn-Te has fled with Lolomi, and during a truce Masters tells the Kiowa they are gone, perhaps under the protection of their gods. This rattles the Kiowa and they force Soho to accept that they want no more battle with the long-knives; the troopers may leave in the morning without fear of attack.
Soho orders his braves to search everywhere. On the way back to Fort Apache, Rusty believes Rinty can find Tahn-Te and bring him a message to come to Fort Apache. Lolomi fears they will be found and killed. Tahn-Te says even if they are killed, he will find Lolomi in the light beyond the darkness. Soho finds them but before he can strike, Rinty appears and brings him down, and Soho hits his head on a rock.
Rinty is leading Tahn-Te to the fort where they are welcomed. Rip tells the men to bring Lolomi to the infirmary, but she says to take her to the stable, it is the custom of her people. While Lolomi is giving birth, the Kiowa arrive and Soho threatens to kill everyone. Rip tells Soho he has arrived too late; the prophecy has been fulfilled. The strains of Silent Night fill the air and when a Kiowa asks its meaning, Rip says his people celebrate the birthday of another chief, the Chief of Chiefs who will lead his people along the path of peace forever. Rip tells the Kiowa if they lay down their arms, they may enter the fort and look upon their new chief. At the last, Soho enters.
The final shot is a picture of both the Indians and troopers around the new birth. Christmas has arrived.
There is no explanation for the voices heard as it is clear there are both male and female singers. Let's put it down to a Christmas miracle. I am surprised at the content of the episode, not just for the Christmas message but for the quality of the dialogue. Hard to believe this was written for children of my age back then. Either writers didn't grasp the age they were writing for, or we more literate than the current generation. I am inclined to accept the latter position. We were coming off of radio, many of us still listened to Lights Out or the Shadow or other programs, and we still read books and engaged in imaginative and physical play. We were not captives of video games or cell phones. I believe it made for a difference in overall literacy.
