The cast member who left and was most missed was Robert Horton. I didn't miss Ward Bond, who was never leading man caliber and already burned out by the time he began this series. But it was increasingly poor writing that eventually doomed the series. Season 8 was especially bad (except for the memorable "Herman" episode), and the series mercifully ended after just 26 episodes. It seems like John McIntire decided to exit earlier than that, as he wasn't even featured in several of the last episodes. Instead, Frank McGrath, who had spent his career as a Stunt Man before this series, seemed to have more screen time than anyone else. The writing became so uninspired that they resorted to "flashback" plots, the supernatural (2 episodes), and one that included the Earps. McGrath was the only series "Regular" in the final episode, and then only as a supporting character.
Review of Wagon Train
