Ep 22. The Cage Around Maria

The Cage Around Maria is the 22nd episode of the third and final season of the highly acclaimed TV series Route 66. The episode begins with the two protagonists, Tod and Linc, driving through Arizona when they spot a stranded car by the side of the road. They pull over to offer help and discover that the car belongs to Maria, a beautiful Spanish woman who was on her way to Los Angeles to start a new life.

Maria is stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no money, no friends, no relatives, and hardly any English-language skills. She explains to Tod and Linc that she was supposed to meet her cousin in Phoenix, who would help her make it to LA, but her cousin never showed up. Tod and Linc feel for Maria's situation and offer to give her a lift to LA, which she gratefully accepts.

Maria's presence has a significant impact on both Tod and Linc. Tod, the more sensitive of the two, is immediately attracted to her and sees in her the potential for a new and more fulfilling life. Linc, on the other hand, is skeptical of her intentions and starts to suspect that Maria might be hiding something.

As they travel through the deserts and towns of Arizona, New Mexico, and California, Tod and Linc get to know Maria and learn more about her past. Through her broken English, Maria reveals that she left Spain to escape a violent husband who had threatened to kill her. She had managed to save enough money to buy a one-way plane ticket to LA, where she planned to start over and find a job.

Despite some initial bumps along the way, the journey seems to be going smoothly until they arrive in a small town by the name of San Buena Ventura. There, they are stopped by a couple of local sheriff's deputies who accuse Maria of stealing their car. They show them a warrant for Maria's arrest, and the trio finds themselves locked up in a small jail cell.

Tod and Linc are stunned by the sudden turn of events, and they can't believe that sweet and innocent Maria could have done something like stealing a car. Maria herself is equally confused and terrified, as she doesn't understand what is happening and why she's being accused of a crime she didn't commit.

As the night progresses, Tod and Linc try to come up with a plan to get Maria out of jail and clear her name. They speak to the local sheriff, but he's uncooperative and insists that Maria is guilty. They then try to speak to the owner of the car, but he's nowhere to be found.

It is at this point that Linc's suspicions start to grow. He believes that Maria might have been set up by her cousin, who he suspects might be involved in a car-theft ring. Tod, however, refuses to believe that Maria could be involved in anything illegal and insists on finding a way to clear her name.

The rest of the episode is a tense and suspenseful race against time as Tod and Linc try to uncover the truth about Maria's arrest and find a way to get her out of jail. Their efforts are complicated by the fact that they don't speak Spanish, and they struggle to communicate with the local authorities.

The Cage Around Maria is a gripping and emotionally charged episode of Route 66, anchored by the strong and nuanced performances of the cast. It explores themes of trust, loyalty, and justice, and highlights the challenges and dangers faced by immigrants and minorities in America. It is a testament to the show's timeless relevance and enduring popularity.