Ep 1. The Not So Magnificent Seven

Dusty's Trail is a classic American television series that premiered on September 11, 1973. The show follows a group of pioneers who get lost and wander off into the wilderness. They find themselves in a series of humorous and adventurous situations as they try to find their way back to civilization.

In episode one, entitled The Not So Magnificent Seven, we are introduced to the group of pioneers who are on a wagon train journey across the western frontier. The group includes Dusty, the wagon driver who is the de facto leader of the group; Callahan, the train's cook who is constantly grumbling and complaining; Doc, the group's physician who is obsessed with cleanliness and hygiene; Betsy, a singer with a strong character; Mr. Brookhaven, a wealthy businessman; Andy, his bumbling assistant; and Lulu, a beautiful saloon girl.

The episode opens with the group arriving at a fork in the road. Dusty must decide which path to take to avoid a dangerous mountain pass. He chooses the safer option, but soon they find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere without water, food, or shelter. Dusty takes charge of the situation, and they all work together to build a shelter and start a fire.

As they settle in, Mr. Brookhaven reveals that he is carrying a large sum of money with him. He is concerned about the safety of his money and suggests that they should elect a group of seven people to guard the wagon and protect the money. He dubs these seven individuals "the magnificent seven."

The group agrees to this plan, and each member of the group is given a color-coded sash to wear to identify themselves as one of the chosen seven. However, things quickly start to go wrong. Callahan and Doc complain about being left out of the group, and Lulu and Betsy are not comfortable with the idea of having to guard the wagon all night. Andy, Mr. Brookhaven's assistant, is the last person to be considered for the group, and he is given the red sash which is supposed to indicate the leader of the group.

It soon becomes apparent that the seven chosen members of the group are not as magnificent as Mr. Brookhaven had hoped. Andy proves to be a terrible leader, and Callahan and Doc are not happy about being left out. The situation goes from bad to worse when a group of bandits arrives, intent on stealing Mr. Brookhaven's money. The not-so-magnificent seven must come together to protect the wagon and save the money.

The episode is full of humor, adventure and wit, and the cast is uniformly excellent. Bob Denver, best known for his role as Gilligan on Gilligan's Island, is perfect as Dusty, the group's competent yet hapless leader. The rest of the cast delivers strong performances as well, particularly Forrest Tucker, who plays Mr. Brookhaven, and Ivor Francis, who steals several scenes as Doc.

The Not So Magnificent Seven is a strong opening episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It is full of action, humor, and adventure, and it introduces the audience to an endearing group of characters who are easy to root for. Whether you're a fan of classic television or just looking for a fun and entertaining show to watch, Dusty's Trail is definitely worth checking out.