The Fugitive - "Fear in a Desert City"

by Ted Davis

Original Air Date: September 17, 1963

Directed by: Walter Grauman

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: This first episode of the 1960s series begins the multi-year adventure of Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen), who is on the run to escape execution for a murder he did not commit, and who is doggedly tracked by the fanatical Lt. Philip Gerard (Barry Morse). In his quest to prove himself innocent of the death of his wife, Kimble criss-crosses the country, adopting numerous identities in order to avoid detection. While working as a bartender in Tucson, Arizona, Kimble becomes involved with his coworker Monica Welles (Vera Miles), pianist-singer at the nightclub where he works. She and her son Mark (Donald Losby) are also being pursued by an intense fanatic — her abusive husband, the rich and high-powered businessman Edward Miles (Brian Keith), who is scary mean, and who takes an immediate and violent animus to Kimble.

Purr Blur: As Ed Miles walks to his wife’s apartment from his car, he passes a tuxedo cat on the sidewalk. The cat makes the unwise decision to approach Miles, who glances down and slightly shifts his step to avoid the animal. After discovering that Monica is not home and correctly inferring that she’s with Kimble, a more enraged Miles rushes back to his car, and passes the same tuxedo cat on the same sidewalk. Thankfully, the cat does not try again to engage Miles.

The Fugitive - Fear of a Desert City - Edward Miles Brian Keith sidestepping tuxedo cat

The Fugitive - Fear of a Desert City - Edward Miles Brian Keith sidestepping tuxedo cat animated gif

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): In the coda of the episode, during a foggy night, a lonely and weary Richard Kimble walks down a town sidewalk and encounters a stray light-haired, ring-tailed kitten scrounging for food. (Actually a little food has been placed on the pavement to make sure the kitten hits his mark.)