User Reviews

This is another great episode from Season 3 of The Wild, Wild West which is by far the greatest season of the show. It was a season that threw out clichés of the first two seasons of West continuously being held captured by the enemy and involving some far out plot. Season 3 of the show is where stories were the most important aspect of the show and the Legion of Death is one of those episodes of Season 3 with a great story. The episodes title is misleading, because the Legion of Death which is a militia run military group isn't the focus of this episode. The episodes primary focus is about politics. The episode speaks the truth on how politics work, especially in this day and age. The episode deals with a dictatorial governor who runs a territory in the USA, that wants to declare statehood and also this governor wants to run for President of the United States. The governor played by Kent Smith is the shining face that the people love and respect. One problem though, their shining face isn't the great leader they think he is. He's a puppet who's run by someone else who stays in shadow's because he doesn't have that great face or charisma like the governor. This man is nerdy, ugly, and has a scarred face and he is the one that runs the show and the Legion. This man in the shadows is played with perfection by a very young Anthony Zerbe.

The episode ends with a surprising climax of not action, but of the truth about politics. A rally is being held for the governor by it's people, but the governor has finally broken down and can't play the part anymore of their shining face, so the man in the shadows steps out of the shadows and reveals himself as the man who's really runs this territory. As soon as the townsfolk's realize this they leave the rally and it completely dies while Zerbe's character goes mad and loses his mind that the people won't rally for him. While he breaks down all West and Gordon can do is look at the man with pity and remorse. One interesting aspect of this episode is when Zerbe's character is pleading for people to unite with him, a picture of the governor with his smooth face is hung in the background. In this instant you can see that the people don't care for the ugliness and the political ambition of this man, but prefer the smooth shining face of the fraudulent governor who knows nothing about politics. This is very true today in our world of politics in the United States.

In all this is a terrific episode of The Wild, Wild West and I can say that the first two seasons wouldn't come close to writing something this realistic or great. This episode also features many great fights and stunts and Robert Conrad looks like he's having lots of fun in this episode. I too, was having lots of fun watching this episode and it was sure one hell of a wild, wild ride.

*Spoiler/plot- TNOT Legion of Death, 1967, West and Gordon uncover an unscrupulous plot devised by an ambitious dictatorial governor who has plans to become President of the U.S.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Anthony Zerbe, Kent Smith.

*Theme- Politics is a shallow and dirty business.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Air date 11-24-67. Takes place western territory. The fold-able rifle used by West to save Gordon from hanging was a Matel toy rifle available at in 1967. Mr. Conrad's short stature/height for a leading man (5'7") was compensated for with shoe 'lifts' in his boots, casting short stunt people, and short leading ladies. In fact his show was known for needing so many short stature love-interest roles for women among females actresses, it became a staple for actresses in Hollywood.

*Emotion- I was entertained but not impressed by the 'power behind the throne' scenario plot line. Anthony Zerbe's performance sets the bar extremely high on the guest star lead villain's performance.....many time villain roles fail to deliver enough 'gravitas' to balance with the strong leads of Conrad and Martin. This was more like an opera or Shakespeare with it's drama. The inclusion of territorial statehood and elections for governor spiced-up the drama intensity. This is vintage W3 intrigue at it's best.