An Act of Nobility

187: An Act of Nobility

Preview:

Airdate

March 21, 1992

Last Aired

Date Recorded

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Recorded at

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Album

13: It All Started When...
12: It All Started When...

Cassette No.

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Length

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Theme

Nobility

Genre

[[Category:{{{genre}}} Episodes]][[:Category:{{{genre}}} Episodes| {{{genre}}}]]

Scripture

Luke 22:24-26

Written By

Phil Lollar

Directed By

Phil Lollar

Produced By

Dave Arnold

Executive Producer

Chuck Bolte

Post-Production

Dave Arnold

Engineer

Dave Arnold

Music By

John Campbell

Songs By

Unknown

Inventions Used

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Rating

Current user rating: 93% (33 votes)

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The Courage to Stand

Summary

Whit tells the story of an American in the small country of Muldavia who took the place of the prince for a few days.

Plot

It all started in Isaac Morton's history class. Isaac’s teacher asks the class the meaning of nobility. Isaac pipes up and says that it’s about kings and queens, dukes and earls. His teacher responds, however, that there’s a whole lot more to nobility than that. He assigns Isaac a report about what nobility is and why it’s important. Isaac relays all this information to Whit, who proceeds to tell Isaac a wonderful story about nobility, under the condition that Isaac doesn’t use it in his report. Isaac reluctantly agrees, and Whit tells his story...

In a small country called Muldavia, a young American named James Armer notices that the locals give him odd looks when he walks past. He doesn’t know why until he’s out in the forest and sees a small plane go down nearby. James rushes to the plane and helps rescue the pilot.

Two other men who have been following the plane help as well: General Farnham and Dr. Munroe. They also react strangely to James, for James and the pilot look exactly alike! What’s even more amazing is that the pilot is actually the Crown Prince.

But the pilot is not a very responsible or good prince, according to the general and the doctor. This has made the pilot a target for a political coup, spearheaded by his illegitimate cousin, Baron Von Warberg.

Just before the prince flew off, Von Warberg drugged the prince’s wine, hoping that his plane would crash and he die. Von Warberg could then step in and take over the country. The prince survived the crash, but he is in no condition to go through with the coronation. When he fails to show up, the general and doctor fear Von Warberg will certainly exploit the situation for his own political purposes. At the very least, Muldavia will be plunged into civil war.

So, James comes up with a plan: He will pose as the prince for the coronation. The general and the doctor agree with the plan and set it into motion. The plan works, but when the real prince finds out, he accuses James, the doctor, and the general of trying to steal his crown. The prince (who is now the king) orders James to be arrested. But before James can be taken away, Von Warberg shows up, he has also discovered the secret.

Von Warberg uses the mix-up to his advantage by making it look as if James, Roderick, the doctor, and the general all killed each other. Suddenly, James disarms Von Warberg and his sidekick, again saving the king. King Roderick finally realizes he’s been a fool. He thanks James for teaching him the true meaning of nobility, and ask what he would like in return. James replies by saying that he forgot is watch at home, and hasn't known the time since he's been in Muldavia. Roderick gives him a pocketwatch that plays a tune when opened. He then left Muldavia, never allowed to tell anyone what happened.

Isaac thanks Whit for the story and leaves, wishing that such stories happened in real life. Brooke Myers asks Whit what time it is. Whit takes out his pocketwatch - it is the same one as in the story.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the meaning of nobility?
2. Why did James show himself to be more noble than the prince?
3. James helped the prince even though he really didn’t deserve help. Would you have?
   • Was it right for James to deceive the people into thinking he was the prince?
   • Why or why not?

Cast

Characters	Actors
Brooke Myers	Amber Arnold
Captain Holt	Unknown
Dr. Munroe	Phil Lollar
Eric Von Warberg	Dave Madden
General Farnham	Hal Smith
Isaac Morton	Justin Morgan
James Armer	Corey Burton
John Whittaker	Hal Smith
Prince Roderick	Corey Burton

Notes

• James Armer is probably Mr. Whittaker. A clue to this is at the end when Whit opens a pocket watch and we hear a melody. Also his initials, J. A., are similar to J. A. Whittaker.
• The country of Muldavia is probably named after the country of Moldova.
• The plot of this episode is similar to the plot of The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope, whether intentional or not.

Quotes

Isaac Morton: James and the pilot looked identical?!
John Whittaker: As alike as two peas in a pod.
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