Peter Duel's last episode is a terrific one, clever and full of great guests. It is a real tragedy that such a talented actor took his own life.
This time Hayes and Curry are captured by of all people, Wally Cox! Cox is a struggling homesteader who plans to use the reward money to help grubstake his small family and purchase some land. However as the family (including wife Sheree North) gets to know Hayes and Curry, they get to feeling guilty about their blood money and decide to help the two escape from the jail (with Sheriff Andy Devine!).
Hayes and the Kid escape but they learn the family is being prosecuted for aiding and abetting their escape. So they have to figure out how to help the family without once more getting caught.
The supporting cast really brings it in this episode. Andy Devine was made for westerns and gives this story a lot of authenticity. Fresh from playing the police chief on "McCloud", JD Cannon is great as a private investigator who is investigating a crooked gambling saloon. Casting Wally Cox was inspired. He shows levels to his performance and no sign of "Mr. Peepers". Dave Garroway shows how underutilized he was in a great turn as the judge. Gene Evans and Adam West also add to the veteran support.
And at the center of it all are Duel and Murphy. Their timing and chemistry is at the top of their game. Reportedly ABC refused producers' requests to cancel the show and forced them to continue production, now with Roger Davis (the series narrator!) to take over the role.
Davis tried gamely, and the scripts were still good, but the magic was gone and the show was canceled 17 episodes later.
This time Hayes and Curry are captured by of all people, Wally Cox! Cox is a struggling homesteader who plans to use the reward money to help grubstake his small family and purchase some land. However as the family (including wife Sheree North) gets to know Hayes and Curry, they get to feeling guilty about their blood money and decide to help the two escape from the jail (with Sheriff Andy Devine!).
Hayes and the Kid escape but they learn the family is being prosecuted for aiding and abetting their escape. So they have to figure out how to help the family without once more getting caught.
The supporting cast really brings it in this episode. Andy Devine was made for westerns and gives this story a lot of authenticity. Fresh from playing the police chief on "McCloud", JD Cannon is great as a private investigator who is investigating a crooked gambling saloon. Casting Wally Cox was inspired. He shows levels to his performance and no sign of "Mr. Peepers". Dave Garroway shows how underutilized he was in a great turn as the judge. Gene Evans and Adam West also add to the veteran support.
And at the center of it all are Duel and Murphy. Their timing and chemistry is at the top of their game. Reportedly ABC refused producers' requests to cancel the show and forced them to continue production, now with Roger Davis (the series narrator!) to take over the role.
Davis tried gamely, and the scripts were still good, but the magic was gone and the show was canceled 17 episodes later.
