Cult-TV Theme Watch: Horses

First domesticated by man thousands of years ago, the horse is a fast, balanced, noble animal utilized by our species in battle, in difficult labor, and, notably, for friendship or companionship.  

The presence of a horse in a work of art could symbolize innocence, nobility or freedom.  The Greeks associated horses with war, and some Buddhists with the law itself. In many Native American mythological traditions, the horse is a messenger.

The horse has appeared frequently throughout cult television history.  Most notably, the white horse – symbolizing vitality, resurrection or freedom -- has appeared prominently in the genre.

The most famous cult-television horse (outside the loquacious Mr. Ed)  is likely Silver, the white stallion of the Lone Ranger (1949 – 1957).  In one episode of the series, we learn that Silver was rescued by the Lone Ranger, and in gratitude for its life, became his loyal steed.

One of the franchise’s key catchphrases involves this horse: “Hi-yo, Silver, away.”  In terms of symbolism, a white horse, as I noted above, can represent resurrection.  The Lone Ranger was initially left for dead, before being “resurrected” as a figure for justice in the Old West.  Silver symbolizes that character’s re-birth.

In V: The Final Battle (1984), Mike Donovan (Marc Singer) rode a white horse into battle with a Visitor air-ship.  In this case, the white steed perhaps represents freedom, or the harnessing of nature against technology.

In the first season episode of Millennium (1996 – 1999), “Broken World,” Frank Black (Lance Henriksen) investigates a case in which a serial killer has murdered twenty horses, and is graduating to human beings.  In this case, the horses represent innocence, and the story is an interesting variation on Equus.

The revived Doctor Who (2005 - ) featured a white horse in the Hugo Award and Nebula Award winning episode “The Girl in the Fireplace.”  Here, the white horse represents purity and love. Since the episode involves the Doctor’s romantic relationship with Madame De Pompadour (Sophie Myles), the horse is a reminder that even a 900 year old Time Lord who has seen it all can still love, can still be pure-at-heart.  He walks the horse around (a spaceship) as though he is dragging his own romantic heart around.

Horses of other hues have also appeared in cult-television programming.  In the pilot episode of Star Trek, “The Cage,” Captain Pike (Jeffery Hunter) experiences a fantasy/hallucination in which he is back at home on Earth, attending a picnic in a park with his wife (Susan Oliver) and beloved horse, Tango.  In this case, Pike is suffering fatigue and guilt over a failed mission, and is tired of the responsibilities of starship command.  The horse represents a desire for simpler pleasures, for a more innocent life.

An episode of Shazam! (1974 – 1977) called “Thou Shalt Not Kill” involves Billy Batson (Michael Gray) and Mentor (Les Tremayne) attempting to save a horse, Beckett, from unwarranted execution.  Again, the horse represents a brand of innocence.  He is a pawn in man’s world, and is guilty of no crime   Fortunately, Captain Marvel (Jackson Bostwick) saves the day.