Knievel’s Wild Ride, Episode 4: The Never-Ending Stories

This week Robbie is in Deming, Washington, at the Nooksack River Casino. On the docket is the “Taking a Gamble” jump where Robbie will jump over 200 slot machines.

Robbie’s business manager, Zuck, tells us that Deming is about 100 miles north of Seattle. “Deming is a small town that is… uh… it’s like… it’s kind of like nothing.” Zuck tells us that the casino is hosting the Knievel event to increase gaming in the week leading up to the event and also for the casino to gain important publicity.

Wow. It is already five hours before jump time! What, no ramp construction drama?

Robbie tells us that 200 slot machines is almost 200 feet which is an “above-average” jump for him these days.

Ramp builder Todd tells us that the ramp is built, that the site is great, and that everything has gone smoothly so far. Compared to the previous episodes, this is like some kind of parallel Knievel universe.

Robbie tells us that he likes to be alone in his trailer before jumps. We see him in his Knievel gear, but topless. Not what I was hoping for. He’s powdering his torso. Though I’m guessing as I’m trying not to look at the screen right now! He’s telling us how being alone helps him focus. He also says he thinks of his father a lot before a jump.

As this concludes a big title screen surfaces, “This Is The Story Of Team Knievel…”

Robbie’s Story

Robbie tells us he was born in Butte, Montana, as “trailer trash.” He lived there until fifth grade at which time the family moved into a house they built. They were broke, then suddenly rich. By the time Robbie was 11, he was doing wheelies for crowds of 50,000. At that he knew what he wanted to do for a living. At the age of 16, he left home and started his career. He thinks this angered his father Evel.

Now we see repeated footage from Episode One, where Robbie talks about his father and that their relationship is their own personal business. He says he doesn’t need his dad to tell him what to do.

We now see footage of Robbie making ten different jumps followed by Robbie crashing about six times.

It’s now 2 hours before the jump and Master Brian Gates, Robbie’s bodyguard, is telling us that he looks for angry and unhappy faces in the crowd that he might recognize. The camera then zooms in on a 400-pound man in the bleachers who has a 500-pound beer belly. Master Gates says that there are four individuals that they are watching and that security is “on super alert.”

Master Gates’ Story

We now get repeated footage from Episode Three where Master Gates tells us that when “it time for me to flip the switch, it’s not pretty.” Zuck and Robbie tell us that Gates coordinates the police and gives Robbie a feeling of assurance. Gates tells us that his job is to take care of Robbie so that Robbie can relax and concentrate solely on the jump.

Gates tells us that he looks at the crowds at all the events. I now realize that the people in the show don’t really repeat themselves too much, they’re just edited that way. It’s like the editors have them on a continuous loop.

Master Gates says his gun is a last resort and that if he uses it, he didn’t do his job beforehand. He now shows us his bullets, some of which fragment upon impacting the target’s body. He also assures us he’d take a bullet for Robbie.

Roman, Robbie’s Roadie, tells us he’s concerned about Robbie’s bike. The bike has taken a beating on their tour. Robbie has had to lay it down a lot over the past summer.

Roman’s Story

In Los Angeles, Roman tells us he met Robbie in a bar. They both happened to know the same women. The two hit it off and spent some time together, which culminated in Robbie inviting Roman to join Team Knievel. His job was just “to be there” which became the best job he ever had.

Roman is riding his Harley down the freeway while his voice over tells us that he had just broken up with his girlfriend before the tour. He used to stay with her a lot, but now he is on a “Couch Tour.”

Roman waxes logical: “Let’s say there are six billion people on this planet. Now, let’s say three billion of them are women. Let’s take one billion off because they’re too young. Let’s take another billion off because they’re too old. That leaves me one billion. You think I’ve seen a fraction yet?” Point taken.

The first stop on the couch tour is Mickie’s house. Mickie says Roman is a good guest. “He makes his bed in the morning.” She also says that Roman would describe himself as “big-heart… fun-loving… and sexual… and very good.” There’s an endorsement!

Roman says he loves women but he can’t commit because he loves the road. He’s had his Harley for 15 years. “My bike is my passion. Women are my hobby,” he says.

Roman’s story ends with him in bed with a different woman at a different house. Though this time the woman chooses to have her face blurred instead of giving a ringing endorsement.