Sole series appearance by veteran character actor Bill Erwin as Abel Greeley, the hardware store owner and local historian. Erwin's career included countless credits spanning 1941 through 2006. Born in December 1914, he died at age 96 in December 2010. Fittingly, both Erwin and actress Susan Howard (Donna Culver), with whom he shares his one scene, were native born Texans.
The title, referencing Ray Krebbs, is taken from Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15: 11-32. In that iconic story, a man leaves home, falls into sin and degradation, hits rock bottom, returns home repentant, and is warmly welcomed by those who love him.