Leslie Martinson directed this episode, who also headed lots of cop shows, and there is a dramatic slant to this one, believe it or not. It certainly was an offbeat episode.
The big problem is all about Bobby, who writes an essay, making outlaw Jesse James his hero! Bobby thinks he's kind of a cool gunslinger, unaware he was one of the most fiendish villains of the old west. This is perhaps the only episode that deals with some very dramatic material, although played out in a comedic way at times.
Gordon De Vol (who looks a bit like Jack Nicholson!) is very convincing as the snickering, heartless Jesse, who appears in one of Bobby's nightmares, holding up a train and actually shooting everybody, dressed in western costumes. The scene looks like a high school play, but it's enough to change Bob's mind.
Special guest appearance by none other than Burt Mustin, who plays a writer and relates the tale of how the real Jesse actually shot and killed his father. Burt was everywhere on tv at the time, and in his 80s, best known for ALL IN THE FAMILY, and is the cherry on the top in this episode. You have to watch him.
Definitely one about hero worship, and the wrong heroes, lessons to be learned. This may be Mike Lookinland's best performance on the show also.
Applause to the wardrobe department for the cool costumes and the production people for putting together a choo choo train! Also Greg and Peter get the best dressed award, for their 70s jeans and shirts. Had to squeeze that in.
From SEASON 4 remastered ABC/Paramount dvd box set.