Jude Emery

Title screen

Season 2, Episode 19
Original Air Date: 15 February 1980
Directed by: Rod Amateau
Written by: Gy Waldron
Created by: Gy Waldron

Plot Summary

While changing a flat tire mid-chase, Bo and Luke pick up Texas Ranger Jude Emery whose truck has broken down. They soon get boxed in by Grady Byrd and Enos, and all three are arrested before Jude is allowed to reveal his identity. Back in Hazzard, Jude tells Boss and Grady who he is and that he's in Hazzard to arrest Russel "Snake" Harmon for hijacking and running contraband. "Snake" is supposed to be hiding out in Yuchee Swamp, but the Dukes warn Jude about going in alone as he could easily get lost. With that in mind, he decides to take Bo and Luke along as guides. Meanwhile, Boss is entertaining thoughts of running Harmon's contraband business for himself.

Jude isn't the only one interested in Bo and Luke, and it's not long before two of Harmon's gang are trying to recruit them (they know about the Dukes working with Jude, but figure they can keep an eye in them if they're close by). Bo and Luke's initiation into the gang is a driving test, complicated by a snake placed in the General, and Jude Emery hidden in the rear seat (complete with guitar!).

Daisy falls for Jude's charms, and is disappointed when he won't let her help to capture "Snake". Never one to take "no" for an answer, she borrows a car from Cooter and follows them. She later returns to the gang's hideout to rescue Bo, Luke and Jude with Jesse and Cooter hidden in her back seat.

After a short chase, all the gang members are arrested. Grady wants to arrest "Snake", but has to concede that he's just over the county line in Placid County, so Jude gets his man. After a farewell to Daisy, Jude heads off with his prisoners in his truck that Cooter's fixed. Grady and Enos do get to capture two of the wanted men, but Boss is left with some explaining to do to his associates about the promised contraband deliveries.

Trivia

• Pete Munro, who plays Willie in "Snake" Harmon's gang, was a bootlegger named Zeebo in Dukes precursor Moonrunners.
• Although he played a police officer in The Rookies TV series, Sam Melville ("Snake" Harmon) seemed to excel at playing intense, dark and memorable bad guys. He would return to guest star on the Dukes again in The Great Hazzard Hijack and Happy Birthday, General Lee. Sadly, he passed away in 1989 at the age of 52.

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Jude Emery
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