01x08 - Bear with Me

[bunniefuu]

(upbeat music)

- Sometimes living in a small town is like living in a cage.

And you're the endangered species

everyone has paid admission to GOC at.

Maybe if anything exciting ever happened here,

people would actually have something else to do

besides stare at me.

What do you expect?

This town gets psyched over an election for sheriff.

Duh, he's the only one running.

Of course, he's gonna win.

♪ All over the place from breeze ♪

♪ You're all alone ♪

(upbeat music)

(trash can racking)

All of a sudden,

I'm not the most interesting thing in town anymore.

(bear screams)

(upbeat music)

♪ There's a devil standing on my tail ♪

♪ But I don't have to beat him ♪

♪ There's an angel that is tempting me to fail ♪

♪ But I don't really need him ♪

♪ Because the waves just keep rolling along ♪

♪ We can drift if the current prevails ♪

♪ But here we are in this slow boat ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ For a sail ♪

- Okay, just calm down.

Okay, let's start again.

- No, no, no, no, no,

you have to listen to me, seriously.

- In a minute, Caitlin.

Now, when was the last time you saw him in the truck?

- I was headed to the zoo.

I pulled off the 15 to fuel up.

Didn't notice anything there.

But when I went into the diner for lunch--

- You guys, seriously. - In a second, Caitlin.

So about how large is this animal?

- Houdini's about seven feet long,

maybe 400 pounds.

- Yeah and he has a big black mark on his nose.

- What, did you saw him?

- Some.

I practically had a conversation with him.

- Well, where is he?

- He was right out back,

but I didn't exactly stick around

to find out where he was headed.

- Okay, look,

I'll get guard on the radio station,

tell them broadcast a warning.

- Okay, well make sure you tell them that if they

encounter the bear, not to stare into his eyes

or provoke it in any way because it could attack.

- Oh, and we'll also have to put up

those bear warning signs so everyone knows.

- Let's go back to the clinic,

we'll grab some gear

and it looks like we're gonna have a busy day ahead of us.

- You saw bear?

I don't believe it.

I've lived here my entire life, I've never seen anything.

New kid, dumb luck.

That was Garth,

he's over at the ranger station with the bear cage.

- Oh, okay, I'll meet him there.

We'll set up the cage in the woods.

He's a bear.

That's where he's headed.

- You can't cage a bear.

- Yes, I can, Caitlin, that's part of my training.

- No, that's not what I meant.

If you cage Houdini, they'll just put them back in the zoo.

- And your point would be?

- I read that animals in captivity have shorter lifespans.

And why don't you just let him live in the forest?

- Problem is he's more in likely gonna go back into town.

- Wait, how do you know?

- Because bears like him need 90 pounds of food a day.

Houdini can't forage for that much.

- We could teach him.

- You really not from around here, are you?

He's in bear, not a pet dog.

- I believe that wild animals should be free,

not kept in cages.

- Excuse me, Bandit was wild?

- Yeah, but Bandit chose to stay with me.

And if he wanted to be free, I'd let him,

I think that Houdini should have that same choice.

I should know, around here, I don't seem to have any.

- [Jim] Lighten all these posters before dark, Griffen.

- What?

- Don Anderson's running against me.

It's interesting.

- Interesting, that's all you can say?

This changes your whole campaign, dad.

The Anderson were the oldest families around here.

Everybody knows him.

- Everyone knows me, I am the sheriff, Griff.

Look, Don's always pulling this kind of stuff.

He doesn't really want to be sheriff.

He just likes to do things to mix things up now and then.

- Don't underestimate him.

He's just like Eric.

When he wants something, he'll do anything to get it.

Okay, we have your annual barbecue coming up,

but that's not gonna be enough.

We have to think big.

Here, I'll finish these.

You'll go around town,

meet the people, kiss a few babies.

I'll call up the paper--

- Look, our campaign will have to wait.

The town safety is more important than some photo-op.

- With that attitude, you could lose your job.

- With your attitude, we could lose the bear.

Come on.

(upbeat music)

- Garth, put the tranquilizer g*n down, please.

You're making me nervous. - Sorry.

- All right, so, how does it work?

- All right, the bear comes, gets the bait, which then

trips this wire, releases the pin,

the door comes and closes.

You satisfied?

- Well, at least he won't get hurt.

- Okay, Garth, come on.

- But it's still not the same as being free.

- Fact.

Number of traffic violation warnings in High River, up.

- I don't believe it.

- Income producing, traffic citations, down.

Number of discontented citizens, way up.

- What are you doing?

- I'm exercising my democratic right.

Number of juvenile delinquents in High River, up.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Jim Lowe can barely control his own family.

Vote for a man who sees the future.

And get a big foam hand.

Absolutely free.

Absolutely free!

Come and get it!

- You just trying to buy votes.

- So?

Promotional merchandising is huge.

You wouldn't know that

cause your dad's whole campaign is minor league, barbecues.

That's impressive.

Vote for Don.

Don't get caught.

- All right, two can play at this game.

(upbeat music)

- Just looks like sabotage, Bandit.

But we're really helping.

(door slams)

♪ I'm snipping the tree ♪

(door squeaks)

♪ I'm all alone ♪

♪ I don't know ♪

♪ Never free ♪

All right.

Now take this food far away from here

because the last thing I want

is Houdini getting caught in that.

It's the right thing to do.

We both know it.

(horse neighs)

Bandit, what was that for?

Bandit, come back.

(bear screams)

You can forage.

You found ants.

Don't stare.

Right.

I'll leave you some food.

And every day,

I'll leave a little less.

That way you can learn to forage without starving.

How's that sound?

That's it.

You really like it out here in the wild, don't you?

I won't let them take you back.

I promise.

- That's a hard way to learn about barb wire.

Here, I'm almost done.

- [Caitlin] Hey.

- Hey, there you are.

How come Bandit came back without you?

- Oh,

we were racing and he won.

- Well forget about the racing,

I want you two to stick close to home

until that bear is found.

I am serious!

- You haven't caught him yet?

- No.

- Hey,

what do bears eat, anyway?

- Lots of things.

Berries, fish,

and if they get a taste for

whatever human food they can find.

Why?

- Oh, no reason.

Just curious.

- Okay, people,

now what we need is a campaign slogan

we can use against Eric's smear Jim campaign.

- Griffen, honey, do your homework, please.

- Actually, mom,

I was looking for a slogan with the name Jimmy.

- Griffin, I was using "Jim Lowe for sheriff"

when you were in diapers.

It worked then, it'll work again.

- How about,

"Jimmy Sheriffic!"

- We are not using "sheriffic".

- How about,

"The Lowe man for the high job"?

- How about, "Vote Jim, the bear hater"?

- How about, "Vote for Jim, Caitlin be quiet".

- How about "You be quiet, vote for Jim".

- Caitlin, I don't hate bears.

I just want what's best for Houdini.

- Oh, then you'll be happy to know

that he's safe and sound in the woods, eating ants.

- Wait a minute.

Have you seen Houdini?

- Maybe.

- Where?

- It doesn't matter.

He's fine, he has food now.

- You fed him?

Caitlin, I can't believe you did that.

Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?

People get k*lled that way.

- Caitlin, where did you see the bear?

- Why should I tell you?

You'll just cage him.

- That's right, and you know why?

Because that's his job, okay?

He's trying to win an election here.

Catching this bear could send them over the top.

- This isn't some PR stunt.

This is about serving the county.

Caitlin, I'm gonna ask you one more time.

Where do you see that bear?

- Listen,

telling you will go against everything I believe in.

Look, I know what it's like to be locked up and stared at.

I'm not gonna let the same thing happen to Houdini.

- Fine.

Do what you have to.

First thing tomorrow, we do a search by helicopter.

- And Caitlin, you are gonna stick with Griffin.

- What?

No way, no, I have campaigning to do.

I don't need any traitor with me.

- Yeah, and I don't want to be with someone

who supports caging wild animals.

- Then I'll drop you off to the Sheriff's office.

Maybe Garth has a patient to find out

where you saw that bear.

I know I don't.

(upbeat music)

- So,

where did you see the bear?

- I'm not telling you.

- Okay.

How about now?

- You know, you're not supposed to be sitting there.

That's Jim's desk.

- Jim said that I'm acting sheriff.

That means I get the desk, so where's the bear?

- Nice try.

You know, aren't bears part of your religion?

- They're part of Cree mythology.

- I read that bears stand for courage and strength.

- They can.

- Aren't they like guardian spirit?

- Some people say so.

When a young warrior goes on a vision quest,

they sometimes see animal spirits.

Actually, my great-grandfather saw a bear on his.

He said that the spirit had talked to him.

- What did it say?

- That it would protect him

and stay with him his whole life.

But the old man was totally superstitious.

- So you don't believe the bear took care of him?

- He lived to be 102.

- See.

- The spirit also told him

for you to tell me where the bear is.

- I'm never gonna tell you.

(phone ringing)

- Sheriff's office.

Acting sheriff Crowchild speaking.

You've seen it?

That's great.

That's great, Ms. Peterson.

I'll be right there, thank you.

She spot the bear a mile from here.

It's go time!

- Hey Garth.

What if Houdini is related to the bear

your great-grandfather saw?

- He couldn't be.

- How do you know for sure?

- Cause I couldn't do my job right

if I knew it was him.

And my job is to catch him.

- Sorry, Garth.

- [Garth] Caitlin.

Caitlin, this isn't funny.

- I know and I said I'm sorry.

But I can't let you catch the bear.

- Caitlin!

(high pitch noise)

(bass sound)

- This year election,

Jim's your man, and I quote

"He's number one sheriff, so give him all your vote."

(electric guitar music)

(door knocks)

- How you doing in there, Garth?

Don't worry, I'll let you out.

Just as soon as I know Houdini's far, far away.

Oh, and by the way.

First rule of law enforcement,

never leave your keys unguarded.

- Oh Caitlin, by the way,

first rule of hostage taking,

never locked someone in a room

with windows and a walkie-talkie that connects him to Jim.

- Yeah, and we should close up the Harbor trail too,

just to be safe.

Okay.

Yep, all right, let me know.

- It just doesn't seem fair, you know,

she's trying to ruin dad's campaign.

She gets dinner served in her room?

I'm campaign manager,

I can't even get seconds on dessert.

- She may be grounded, Griff, but she still has to eat.

- There's not enough,

I'm chasing a bear all over the county,

I then have to come back to my office

and handle eight complaints from stores

over lost business

and three disturbing the peace calls?

- Oops.

There wasn't any backlash in the polls was there?

- Honey.

It's a county election, there are no polls.

- Griffen, I don't know how to say this, but please,

please don't help me.

I know what I'm doing.

- But I have a ton of ideas,

strategies, promotional giveaways.

- None of which I need.

I've won this before.

And all it takes is for me to throw my annual barbecue.

It's amazing how connecting one-on-one with people

does a lot more than some silly gimmick.

Of course it looks like I might have to cancel this year.

Can't be flipping burgers

while there's a bear on the loose.

Then let me do it.

You already bought all the food.

Please!

- I'm sorry, Griffen.

Now's not the time.

While your mom and I are out looking for Houdini,

you're gonna phone people and let them know is off.

- Dad, you need this barbecue.

- Griffen.

No barbecue.

(upbeat music)

- Where do you think you're going?

- Out.

Out to feed the bear?

I don't think so, you're grounded.

- Come on Griffin, he must be starving.

I haven't fed him for two days.

- That's exactly why mom and dad are gonna go catch him.

- Well, wait a minute, I mean, what's the food for?

I thought your dad said no barbecue?

- Yeah, but the way I figure it.

Dad's gonna catch a bear in an hour.

He'll be back, barbecue still on,

he'll be man of the year.

So give me a hand, we've got a lot to do.

- Wait now, and

why would I want to help your dad get elected?

- Because think of the alternative.

Don Anderson, the father of Eric Anderson.

I know he's not your dad, but he's family, your guardian.

If you don't help, he'll be your unemployed guardian.

- All right.

But I'm not chopping onions.

- Of course.

What?

Oh no.

Eric.

Man, I must've just missed him.

You are the worst criminal in the world.

(dramatic music)

All right, Anderson,

game over.

Why don't you just come out?

You're gonna be so sorry.

(screams)

Don't look at him.

(bear screams)

I'm just gonna leave.

So

you do

what ever you have to do.

(intense music)

Help!

Help me!

- Hey, what happened here?

- What happened?

How about I almost got my face clawed off,

that's what happened.

- Wait, Houdini?

Houdini did this?

- Yeah, Houdini.

Thanks to you I was almost a part of his lunch.

Why is this every time the adult says something,

you automatically think they're wrong?

Well, this time they weren't and you messed up big.

And you know what?

I think you know it.

- What's wrong?

- Tell them, Caitlin.

- The bear.

He was here.

He tried to attack Griffen.

- Honey, are you okay?

- Yes. - Are you hurt?

- [Griffin] I'm all right, I guess.

- Where's the bear now?

- He took off.

- Yeah, he probably went back.

- Went back?

Where?

- I don't know.

- Caitlin.

I am not kidding around.

- Okay.

I'll show you.

- [Dori] All right now,

where do you usually put the food?

- I put there, on that log.

Here, Houdini.

Here, boy.

Treats.

Here Houdini.

(suspenseful music)

I'm sorry.

(bear screams)

- I know this is hard for you.

But this is the best thing for Houdini.

He couldn't survive by himself in the wild.

- Yeah.

- [Zoo Keeper] Come on, Houdini.

- Look at him, he hates it.

Wish there's another way.

- Maybe there is.

- [Radio] What was initially a tight race

turned into an overwhelming victory for Jim Lowe

as he-- (applause)

- Coming up with the idea of moving Houdini

into the animal refuge instead of putting him in the zoo,

swayed a lot of voters, thanks.

- Don't kid yourself, you would have won on your own.

You're the best sheriff this town's ever had.

I just helped with the landslide part.

- I thank you too, Dori, and, so does my great-grandfather.

- I got it.

Next election, we'll let a circus elephant lose.

You capture it, bring it back.

- Griffen, there's not gonna be a next election.

- What, you're retiring?

- No, you are.

Unless you want to work for Don Anderson,

your days as campaign manager are through.

Hey, this cause for a celebration.

Burgers and fries all around on me.

- Oh yeah.

- Hey,

I'm treating for dinner, you interested?

I guess I can afford it now that I still have my job.

- Yeah, please.

Hey Jim.

Congratulations.

- Thanks.

Couldn't have done it without you.

(bright music)

- Sometimes doing what you think is best for someone

isn't always the right answer.

You have to look at what they need

and not necessarily what they want.

And although I can't speak for Houdini,

I know that for me,

I'm still trying to figure out the difference.

(upbeat music)

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ I'm wishing ♪

♪ For a sail ♪