by Madison
Anthony Zerbe portrayed the former Texas Ranger, Teaspoon Hunter. Anthony’s character, Teaspoon, was in charge of the express station. He was a very colorful character who offered his unique perspectives to the boys. The express riders learned a lot from Teaspoon, as well as a lot about him. Teaspoon, who during the show was the law of both Sweetwater and Rock Creek, had taken part in a famous historical battle called the Alamo. He also spoke often of his days as a Texas Ranger.
In addition to being the law, Teaspoon was also a ladies’ man. Teaspoon had been married six times before the express started. Three of his wives were white, the other three were Native Americans. We met his third wife Polly in the show’s last season. She called him sugar lips. Mr. Hunter had many loves throughout his life, but he never knew about his daughter, Elizabeth, until it was too late. He never met her before she passed away. His daughter’s friend, Amanda, becomes very dear to him. Together, they hold a partnership in the ‘Silverspoon Saloon’.
The riders were actually surprised to discover Teaspoon had such a way with women. His appearance didn’t exactly point in that direction. He usually needed his hair combed and his face shaved. Still, that didn’t stop the boys from coming to him for love advice. Of course, the advice Teaspoon offered the Kid about his relationship with Lou, usually left the young man more confused. Especially when Teaspoon answered by telling him he just had to do more thinking. Teaspoon also helped another young fella deal with his attraction for Lou. He assisted Jesse in writing love letters to Louise. Unfortunately for poor Jesse, Lou assumed they were from Kid.
Teaspoon always looked at for his express family. He governed over the riders and kept them on the right path. To help his riders survive in the wild west, Teaspoon taught them his ‘bag of tricks’. All the riders benefited from the knowledge he shared with them. Jimmy is an excellent example. Jimmy was the first rider to be introduced to Teaspoon’s famous sweatlodge. There he encouraged Jimmy to release his demons, but Jimmy ended up passing out before he could cleanse his haunted soul. The longer the series went on, the closer Jimmy and Teaspoon grew. All the riders felt close to Teaspoon, but I think Jimmy had a stronger bond with him. Teaspoon admitted to the young gunfighter later in the series that there was a time he had to hide trouble from him just to keep things interesting. But, to his surprise, Jimmy growed up into a hell of a man. His words strengthened their friendship.
At the end of the series the riders went their own way because the express was ending and the war was beginning. I think the riders departure had a strong impact on Teaspoon as well as Rachel. The riders were like children to them, and the war was tearing them away. No matter what happened during the war, I think Teaspoon would always consider his express crew family. Hopefully Teaspoon would stay out of the war. Maybe he would marry Polly again, or move to Benton to be with Amanda. I hope he would eventually see his riders after the war and meet the families they might have started.
A Little About the Actor
Anthony Zerbe played Teaspoon on the western The Young Riders, but he has also appeared in numerous westerns like Bonanza, The Big Valley, and Gunsmoke. This brilliant actor was also in a TV series about the Civil War called The North and South II.
Anthony obviously likes playing western characters, and I’m glad he was casted as Teaspoon Hunter. I can’t imagine another actor playing him!