The series premiere, "Birth of a Legend," introduces the gambling, womanizing, hard-drinking writer Ernest Pratt, who has created a dashing literary hero, Nicodemus Legend, as the main character in his series of fime novels set in the untamed West. Pratt's wildly imaginative stories are written in the first person, giving readers the impression that the exploits are real and that Ernest Pratt is actually Nicodemus Legend, and adventurous man dedicated to justice and science.
When Pratt learns that a warrant has mistakenly been issued for the arrest of Legend in Sheridan, Colorado, he travels there to clear the name of his mythical hero. Soon after his arrival, he meets a great admirer of his clever Western tales - an eccentric European scientist/inventor, Janos Bartok - who has taken the liberty of borrowing the Legend persona in order to help the local townspeople. Bartok convinces Pratt to assume the identity of his own literary creation, and to use Legend's celebrity as power over enemies who are attempting a land takeover. When Bartok and his apprentice, Huitzilopichtli Ramos (Mark Adair Prios), demonstrates how their scientific expertise and outlandish inventions (inspired by Pratt's novels) can bolster the impression that he really is Legend. Pratt reluctantly agrees to the scheme.
Guest Starring Stephanie Beacham as Vera Slaughter, Katherine Moffat as Katherine Sullivan, John Pennell as Silas Slaughter, Douglas Rowe as Sheriff Sam Moats, Jarrad Paul as Skeeter, Tim Thomerson as John Wesley Coe, Pete Schrum as Aidar Brull, Betsy Beard as Mrs. Brull, Stephanie Copperman as Victoria, Dick Bellerue as Geezer, Forrie J. Smith as Jesse James, Monty Stuart as Frank James, Karen Veau as Mom, Savannah Morgan as Girl, Nicholas Glaesser as Antonio, Jack Ong as Mr. Fat, Eddie Mui as Son, Jerry Woods as Man with knife, Jennifer Wilson as Miss Freeman, Merik Woodmansee as Autograph boy, Bob Sorenson as Barman and John Furlong as Governor Denehy.
Written by Michael Piller and Bill Dial, and directed by Charles Correll.
Director Charles Correll frequently worked on MacGyver. Some of his work includes: Everytime She Smiles, Ugly Duckling, The Human Factor, Wish Child, Jack of Lies, Blood Brothers, On a Wing and a Prayer, Easy Target, Unfinished Business, and Halloween Knights.