Original Air Date: March 1, 1995
After being seriously injured in a shoot-out, the Kwai Chang Caine of the original series turns up at the 101st Precinct behaving so strangely that of course everyone simply assumes he is his grandson. THAT Kwai Chang Caine has time-traveled from 1905 to ask THIS Kwai Chang Caine to help rescue his wife and son, which is to say grandmother and father, from some kidnappers back in the Wild West. That's clear enough, isn't it?
Marvelous guest stars from the Golden Age of Television: Unfortunately, the clacking of their false teeth tended to drown out the dialog, but these men are icons of the Golden Age of Television...ICONS, I tell you. Especially for someone (such as I) who is old enough to remember these people and shows from their first runs back in the 50's and 60's. Clu Gallagher, The Tall Man (1960)! Robert Fuller, Wagon Train 1963-65!! James Drury, The Virginian 1962-1971!!! Clint Walker, Cheyenne (1955-1963)!!!! Even David Carradine is sort of famous for doing westerns, as much as I hate to admit it. <G>
Almost interesting facts: Charles Powell (evil lil bro Kyle) appears again in the fourth season episode "Escape" as Jim Hellstrom, the young Air Force officer who ultimately turns out to be Kermit's son. Oops, that was a spoiler, wasn't it? <EG> Sorry. <G> James Drury, 'The Deacon' in today's episode, returns as 'Doctor Freeze' for "Chill Ride," also in the fourth season.
Something even more interesting: In a 1991 made-for-TV movie called "The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw," David Carradine appeared as a character named Caine, James Drury was Jim, and Clint Walker played Cheyenne Bodie, not to mention...Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford as Lucas McCaine and his son, Mark, The Rifleman (1968-1963), with Gene Barry reprising his most famous role, Bat Masterson (1958-1961). This movie is out on tape, so how about we all go rent it, and watch that instead of Kung Fu today? <G>