Popeye-8

I admit--I only know of this episode through "Mystery Science Theater 3000"...but while the series had potential, it slipped into a cookie-cutter routine fairly quickly. But, the sad part is watching David McCallum (who frankly looks intoxicated, as he sleepwalks through his role as if he's thinking, "Did I REALLY need a paycheck this badly?") as he is out-acted by Randi Brooks, for goodness sake.

Randi Brooks--she was the nasal-voiced prostitute that Steve Martin couldn't kill in "Man With Two Brains". Yeah, her--or rather, them. She (they) actually tries in her role as a terrorist who looks like a supermodel (until overcome by Timothy Van Patten in a scene that screams, "Let's wrap this UP, people!"), while David is obviously thinking, "I used to BE somebody..." and can't be bothered to actually perform.

And then this episode features George Lazensby. Yep, the one-time James Bond plays another old spy who somehow winds up aiding Lee Van Cleef. He, also, is out-acted by Randi Brooks, but considering George's career, that is not as surprising.

And, yeah, Timothy Van Patten gets thrown through a bar window. And the worst shootout ever filmed sets up the whole episode.

There's just too much plot for a 60-minute action series to handle, with too many characters.

This was my first ever episode of "Have Gun--Will Travel" after hearing abut the show's legacy...and I was suitably impressed. A strong story (with a lot of plot packed into 30 minutes) starts off with the gorgeous Pippa Scott digging a grave...and of course Paladin offers to help. It seems that the grave is for her fiance...who was murdered by a jealous lover who just happens to be the scion of the town's wealthiest family. One glitch--she's the town's prostitute, and her fiance was a "john" who fell in love with her.

Paladin is determined that the dead man get the revenge he deserves, while she seeks another revenge that goes well beyond murder.

Overall, a tight, strong, well-written and directed episode, and a solid introduction to the show for me. And as I mentioned, Pippa Scott is flat our gorgeous as the "soiled dove" who seeks retribution.