FINE performances by both Bikel and Robert Simon. Good idea to write an episode featuring the well-known folk singing of BIkel. Also, very effective "Stalking" scene near the end in the ghostly, deserted streets of Dodge; great use of shadows, etc (the distant train whistle and singing voice at the end were also cool).
But here's my 3 problems with the show:
a.) Bikel's singing (pre-recorded, probably) is too close on-mic, so it sounds unnatural...and rather annoying. I liked the dramatic/character DEVICE of his singing, but it needed a less phony ambiance to the sound.
2.) Doc's preaching in the jail scene near the end. I get what they were going for...the relationship between Doc and Martin and their duty as doctors, etc. Bikel's heroic action near the end could have been much more effective if the script had been more tightly organized. As it was, it just muddled things up.
3.) My main, over-riding complaint: Sorry, Matt: if TWO GUYS come to Dodge..(a.) a peace-loving guy, whose tired of running from thugs and wants to make Dodge his home and (b.) a crazed, vengeful killer who intends to assassinate the other guy, YOUR SWORN, LEGAL DUTY IS TO PROTECT (a.) and, if necessary KILL (b.). No Question about it..To HELL with what the cowardly townsmen think; they can just go hide in their homes 'til the shooting's over. This issue began to bug me about midway through, and really undermined the drama the rest of the way.
NOTE-- to commentator "Johnny West" (posted here): a.) regardless of your opinion of the (fine) acting of Robert Simon, he did NOT nearly always play "unreasonable or vicious" characters. You need to check out some of his plentiful performances (films, Twilight Zone, The Defenders (brilliant performance), Route 66, Outer Limits, etc;) Simon usually was cast as an avuncular, rather sagacious, common-sense, dependable establishment guy (cop, military officer, scientist, etc).
B.) your description of the end of "Song for Dying" as "happy" is...puzzling.
I generally don't contest the opinions of other post-writers, but the overly aggressive and dismissive ones sometimes need a response. LR.