#213 MIRROR FAMILY                         (Original air date:   01/15/98)
 

Written by:	Edmond Stevens
Directed by:	Stuart Margolin
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen, E.F. Wallengren & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Brad Elias	Ted Shackelford
Linda Elias	Teddi Siddall
Shane Elias	Esteban Powell
Maria Elias	Noley Thornton
Wesley Elias	Zachary Charles

 

While checking into a trailer park in Utah, Josh accidentally hits another trailer belonging to a family much like their own, educating their three children as they travel across the United States. Josh makes fast friends with eldest son, Shane, as Dinah and Nathaniel bond with their respective counterparts, Maria and Wesley. But despite many shared interests and values, inconsistencies in the Elias family's background begin to crop up that arouse Russell's suspicion. Particularly when R u ssell discovers the real reason behind Brad's departure was that he insisted on being paid in cash. One by one, the Greene children glean different versions of the real Elias family secret. Josh finally reveals that on their visit to a local college, Sh a ne's attitude spooked him -- talking about the meaningless of existence. Fearing the Elias' children may be in some danger, Russell and Claire take it upon themselves to do an internet search and discover that Brad's true identity is Dalton L. Napier, a f ugitive accused of derailing an arms train during the Vietnam War. On their way out of town, the Elias' car breaks down. Brad is prepared to leave the family's trailer behind to make a clean break. But Shane rebels, drawing the line at this final assault on the family's sense of coherence. Shane demands that his father come clean and tell them what they're running from. Russell arrives on the scene and the two men hash it out -- Russell repudiating the cowardice of acts of sabotage masquerading as leg i timate acts of protest. When Shane hears of his father's involvement in terrorist activities against the U.S. Government, he bolts, taking off on a snowmobile. Brad and Russell follow in pursuit. While chasing after his son, Brad takes a bad fall, brea k ing his leg, unable to move. Russell tends to Brad while Shane goes for help. Med-Evac choppers arrive on the scene and rescue Brad. The Greenes wait outside the Federal Building as Brad prepares to turn himself in. Brad's been assured some degree of leniency for coming forward of his own volition. Russell hands him an American flag pin he was given when he went into war as a show of support and to remind Brad that he's doing the right thing.