Nichols
In 1914, Nichols, a soldier, sick of killing, returns to his Arizona hometown, named after his family, and is strong-armed into serving as Sheriff by the Ketcham clan, who run the area. Nichols, who doesn't believe in toting a gun, scoots around via a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The Ketchams install as Deputy their relative, Mitch Mitchell. The nasty Deputy has a dog named Slump, and Mitchell is very dumb. A business-savvy local gal has an undefined relationship with Nichols, but it's obvious there's lots of action in the back rooms of her saloon. The strict moral lines of traditional Westerns are absent in this very Vietnam War era show's view of the Old West's dying days: the Ketchams aren't all bad, and little-respected Sheriff Nichols wouldn't mind ripping off the town to head for Mexico.
- 1971-1972
- 1 season
- NBC
- Action & Adventure
In 1914, Nichols, a soldier, sick of killing, returns to his Arizona hometown, named after his family, and is strong-armed into serving as Sheriff by the Ketcham clan, who run the area. Nichols, who doesn't believe in toting a gun, scoots around via a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The Ketchams install as Deputy their relative, Mitch Mitchell. The nasty Deputy has a dog named Slump, and Mitchell is very dumb. A business-savvy local gal has an undefined relationship with Nichols, but it's obvious there's lots of action in the back rooms of her saloon. The strict moral lines of traditional Westerns are absent in this very Vietnam War era show's view of the Old West's dying days: the Ketchams aren't all bad, and little-respected Sheriff Nichols wouldn't mind ripping off the town to head for Mexico.
Season 1 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1971 - 1972
Episode 1
Pilot
Thu, Sep 16, 1971 60 mins
1914. 18 year U.S. 7th Calvary veteran Nichols returns home to his namesake hometown, Nichols, Arizona. He finds out his mother has died and his family ranch has been taken. Right away gets into trouble and winds up becoming the sheriff.
Episode 2
The Siege
Thu, Sep 23, 1971
A Mexican revolutionary, Colonel Alcazar (Ricardo Montalban), makes a unwanted stop to Nichols town with his gang. He needs to have his tooth taken out and replaced. So he holds the whole town hostage. Nichols tries to keep the peace at all costs.
Episode 3
The Indian Giver
Thu, Sep 30, 1971
Non-violent Nichols has his hands full when a Indian named "Flying Fox" comes to town claiming he owns the Ketcham's land and has the papers and deed to prove it. Ma Ketcham isn't about to give up without a fight.
Episode 4
Paper Badge
Thu, Oct 7, 1971
An acting troupe arrives in town complete with famous diva (Joyce Van Patten). In choosing a bodyguard, Nichols picks the one man who didn't volunteer - bookworm Fred (John Rubinstein). Fred and Ketcham are both infatuated and Fred spends most of his time trying to avoid a fight with Ketcham.
Episode 5
Gulley vs. Hansen
Thu, Oct 14, 1971
Gulley and Hansen have been feuding for twenty years. When Ketcham and Mitch goad them into a gunfight to settle the matter, they go too far and things get out of hand.
Episode 6
Deer Crossing
Thu, Oct 21, 1971
Apache Juan Garcia has Ketchum, a U. S. Marshal, and others on his heels attempting to prevent the native American from hunting a big buck before the season begins. Nichols has to walk a fine line to keep the peace and somehow skirt the law too.
Episode 7
The Specialists
Thu, Oct 28, 1971
When Nichols learns the location of a fortune in stolen money, he assembles a gang of specialists to help him heist it.
Episode 8
Peanuts and Crackerjacks
Thu, Nov 4, 1971 60 mins
Hoping to gain some back pay, Nichols challenges an army post from close by to a game of baseball in order to help the town's finance committee.
Episode 9
Ketcham Power
Thu, Nov 11, 1971
With Nichols away, Ketcham takes over as deputy sheriff and subsequently abuses his authoritative power, but when two thieves nearly murder him, he has a change of heart.
Episode 10
The One Eyed Mule's Time Has Come
Tue, Nov 23, 1971
After an earthquake, Nichols, a young Army vet, and a mule are trapped in a cellar while three armed morons threaten them, thinking they're hiding silver.
Episode 11
Away the Rolling River
Tue, Nov 30, 1971
An aging hell-raiser tries to enlist Nichols into helping with a train robbery.
Episode 12
Where Did Everybody Go?
Tue, Dec 7, 1971
When Nichols jails a man who assaulted a girl, his three violent brothers intend to get him out, not by paying the 54 dollar bill but by aggression and damages. With the town unwilling to help, Nichols considers quitting his job.
Episode 13
The Marrying Fool
Tue, Dec 28, 1971
In the 1914 town of Nichols, Arizona, Sheriff Nichols tries to get to the bottom of an accusation. Ruth marries Charlie (Tom Skerritt) only to learn that is he may be already married to Caralee.
Episode 14
Eddie Joe
Tue, Jan 4, 1972
Nichols has to decide whether to return escaped prisoner Eddie Joe (Paul Winfield) back to prison where he is very popular as a prison chef or to help him escape the search of a cruel Marshal.
Episode 15
Zachariah
Tue, Jan 11, 1972
Nichol's Uncle Zachariah (Strother Martin) comes to town and asks him to dig up some money he had stashed before he went to prison. Nichols doesn't know Zachariah's old cellmates are also after the money.
Episode 16
The Unholy Alliance
Tue, Jan 18, 1972 60 mins
When Nichols is mistaken for a safe cracker named Fingers, he gets involved with a plot to break into the bank and steal over $400,000 in cash the railroad is storing there.
Episode 17
Sleight of Hand
Tue, Feb 1, 1972
When Kansas (Bo Hopkins) sees a story in a newspaper about the death of his old friend, Homer the prospector, along with a picture of Nichols wearing only one glove, he tracks him down. Apparently, Kansas and the late Homer have the corresponding halves of a treasure map tattooed on their hands. We see Nichols burying Homer before the opening credits. He now has a paper copy of Homer's half of the map and wants to join up with Kansas and find the hidden booty. Will Nichols' latest get rich scheme go awry like all the others?
Episode 18
Wings of an Angel
Tue, Feb 8, 1972
Nichols enlists the help of an airplane pilot--who looks exactly like Ketchum--to track down a killer known as the Dutchman.
Episode 19
About Jesse James
Tue, Feb 15, 1972
After an eccentric old woman comes to the town of Nichols claiming that in her youth she nursed a wounded Jesse James after he was shot by the cowardly Bob Ford and that the infamous outlaw is still alive, Sheriff Nichols takes a road trip on his signature motorcycle to confirm or debunk this extraordinary tale. On route he is sidelined by a con man (Jack Elam) who overhears about Nichols quest for James. Eventually, they meet the old gunslinger or do they? At one point on his road trip Nichols disguises himself as a parson. An alternate title for episode 19 is "Man of the Cloth." (Charles McGraw, who played Hansen in the Gulley vs. Hansen episode, plays "Jesse James.")
Episode 20
Fight of the Century
Tue, Feb 22, 1972
When professional fighter "Gentleman" George Gorman comes to town looking for a fight, Nichols sees a way to make a quick profit.
Episode 21
Man's Best Enemy
Tue, Feb 29, 1972
Nichols has two headaches to contend with. First, he caught a serial killer, who's known for repeatedly escaping from jail. Second, the townsfolk want to euthanize Mitch's menacing mongrel Slump, who's known for biting people.
Episode 22
Wonder Fizz Flies Again
Tue, Mar 7, 1972
Nichols and his biplane buddy head to Mexico to rescue an Army Captain's kidnapped daughter.
Episode 23
All in the Family
Tue, Mar 14, 1972
The episode begins with Nichols amiably asking a troublemaker named Quinn to pay for damages he caused in the saloon. Quinn shockingly blows him away. After Nichols' funeral the town is shocked when his identical twin brother comes to town, seeking justice,
Episode 24
Bertha
Tue, May 16, 1972
After twenty years in a school back east Bertha's daughter is coming to town. Bertha plans to close down and become "respectable" during her daughter's visit, but instead Nichols convinces her to let him run her place while she's "gone".
