Crash – Ben visits his shaman

(Season 1, Episode 7 – “Los Muertos”)

“Yeah, let’s play footsie with fate. Put the pedal to the metal!” – Ben to Anthony, on his suggestion that they open the limo up on the open road

Interesting episode, mostly centered around Ben and his quest to rid himself of the doc’s ghost, which he sees at every turn. He has Anthony take his pills away and drive him into the desert to see his shaman, Frankie Navajo, played by Dean Stockwell. (Nice to see him.)

The purpose of the trip is two-fold: to get Ben clean and to deliver the doc’s ashes into the desert. Successful on both counts, but not before Ben goes on several crazy trips, including trying to kill a scorpion he believes to be the doc. The shaman explains the meaning of the scorpion, but let’s face it. Ben’s over the edge at this point.

All of this is intermingled with the journey of the Mexican immigrant, Cesar, who’s on a 100-mile trek across the desert to get to L.A. Great moment when he crosses the barbed-wire fence and enters the U.S. Not so great when he almost dies on the journey and ends up helping another guy bury his son.

Wow, the scenery in this episode was magnificent! I believe a lot of it’s filmed in New Mexico.

Anyone know why the shaman told Anthony that the doc died years ago?

Other thoughts on this episode?

Clacked by Jane Boursaw
on Nov 23, 2008 @ 09:47 EST5EDT