1. THE SAGA OF WACO WILLIAMS
    Original Airdate:
    February 15, 1959

Synopsis. Near Bent City, Bret clashes with Waco Williams, a fearless gunslinger who is scheduled to meet his partner, outlaw Blackie Dolan. Waco wants Blackie to go straight, while Maverick wants to turn Dolan in and claim the $2,500 reward. 

The episode in which Maverick poked fun at itself, “The Saga of Waco Williams” was also the highest-rated episode of the entire series. Of all the TV sets in the U.S. that were in use that night between 7:30 and 8:30, more than half were tuned in to Maverick. Guest stars include future Oscar winner Louise Fletcher (pictured above with James Garner) and then-Colt .45 star Wayde Preston.

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.