A Fate Worse Than Death: It is strongly implied that "Big" Jim Downing and his bodyguard plan to brutally beat and rape Boss before finally killing him.
Hilarity Ensues: Starting with this episode, the "Hazzard Speed Trap" becomes an occasional Running Gag, where a top country music star of the era performs at the Boar's Nest; this is set up by Boss getting wind that a top-named entertainer is passing through the area, Rosco having that star's tour vehicle stopped on a phony traffic charge, and — to work off the fine — they perform for free at the Boar's Nest (usually, to a large crowd with everyone in Hazzard County coming). In the real world. most performers would not only refuse to perform and/or contest the charges, but they'd come back with a claim that what Boss and Rosco were doing was illegal and have them arrested.
Conversely, several country music performers requested to perform as part of the Hazzard County Speed Trap gag, as — given that by now the series was firmly a top 5 ratings hit — it was a surefire way to gain exposure, additional notability and new fans. Additionally, the Hazzard Speed Trap segment was used to pad out stories that didn't quite fill an hour.
If You Kill Him, You Will Be Just Like Him!: Rosco's impassioned plea to Bo and Luke to save Boss from a potentially brutal fate was perhaps an acknowledgement that he knew Boss wasn't always fair to the Duke boys and that he sometimes tried to frame them so that he could engage in his crooked activities unchecked and gain a significant advantage over longtime rival Jesse Duke. Most important was Rosco telling the Duke boys — who have balked — that if they don't go after Downing and allow Boss to be killed, he will hold them morally accountable for the rest of their lives and never forgive them. Bo and Luke refuse at first, perhaps thinking that Boss got himself into this and now finally has to realize the consequences, but Rosco's sincerity and convincing win out and the Dukes are off to the rescue.
Laser-Guided Karma: Although unstated, this is clearly the Duke boys' initial reaction when Rosco tells them Boss has been kidnapped by Downing and that they are his only hope to save him from certain death ... essentially, that Boss played with crime and criminals once too often, and now he's paying the price, nevermind the fact there's the added benefit of "We no longer will have to deal with Boss harassing our family" after he is killed.
Manly Tears: Rosco tearfully begs Bo and Luke to try to track down Big John Downing and his crony, who have kidnapped Boss Hogg and plan to kill him. When Bo and Luke balk at first, Rosco turns up the tears, saying in essence that even though Boss has been a thorn in the Duke family's sides for years, they still have a moral obligation to stop a potentially brutal murder.
My God, What Have I Done?: What Rosco successfully convinces Bo and Luke what they might have done had they thrown the engraving plates in Lake Hazzard ... that it would end with Boss being killed.
Prayer Is a Last Resort: At one point, while Downing's stooge is driving to a remote area to kill Boss, Boss realizes his predicament and begins praying that someone save him.
Save the Villain: This was one of the earliest episodes where Bo and Luke have to rescue series de facto villain Boss Hogg from being killed by the week's bad guy. Although here, they have to be talked into it; in later episodes, Bo and Luke unquestioningly go after the bad guys when they kidnap Boss. Word of God has it that Uncle Jesse reminded his nephews that, for as wily and cagey as Boss is, they have an obligation to aid him when the situation calls for it and if they allow him to be seriously harmed or killed, they will risk being disowned and disinherited.
Special Guest Stars: The Oak Ridge Boys, who – falling back on their original gospel roots – perform "Old Time Religion" at the Boar's Nest. Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban were the first Hazzard Speed Trap victims, a recurring gag that would continue through most of the rest of the series' run.
Suspiciously Similar Substitute: B.B. Davenport, Cooter's cousin. note (Ben Jones, who played Cooter, sat out this and several other episodes due to a contract dispute with the producers. B.B and another cousin, Longstreet, were brought in as interim replacements.)
To Be Lawful or Good: What Bo and Luke are faced with when asked to save Boss from his captors: Let him suffer the consequences once and for all of dealing in crime, or do the right thing and save their life-long adversary and family enemy from being killed by his bloodthirsty captor because it's the right thing to do.
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry!: Downey is very short-tempered and does not tolerate nonsense, especially from Boss, and warns him repeatedly that he will regret any wrong move. Ironically, it is something Boss does not do that finally causes Downey to snap and tell him he is being taken away ... and never coming back.
Word of God has it that Uncle Jesse reminded his nephews that, for as wily and cagey as Boss is, they have an obligation to aid him when the situation calls for it and if they allow him to be seriously harmed or killed, they will risk being disowned and disinherited.