This pilot has a solid guest cast with Suzanne Pleschette & Victor Buono. According to legend there are 2 different versions of this pilot show around. I have seen only one even though I have a VHS version & the Season 1 DVD version, they seem to be the same.
The plot involves an 1870's scenario where the Southwestern United States is in danger of leaving the United States because of a band of revolutionaries led by a seeming Mexican leader. It introduces a large Chinese man & Pleschette's character in a mansion with an arsenal in the basement. This theme is used in other episodes of the series including at least one Dr. Lovelass episode.
James Gregory appears as President Grant and gives West the train to travel for his mission. The train is there for the rest of the series as home base for some great shows over the next 4 seasons.Arte shows up in disguise early on before we find out he is West's partner. "How about them boots, you won't be needing them," makes its first time use in this show. The same line is used in at least one or more later episodes.
The gadgets are introduced early on in this episode, and West's armory on the train is quite impressive as well. There are some crude sequences but overall this show is a good start. Victor Buonos multiple roles are very impressive to support the start of what would turn into a very good series.
