To those of us who loved the best of Route 66 the end was hardly reminiscent of the powerful episodes of the first, even second, seasons. Special places, big and well known with others sometimes fictional comprising the Americana of small town flavor provided the scenic backdrop from which entertaining, many times powerful, human condition vignettes were woven. These were the cornerstone of an excellent show that somehow lost it's footing somewhere in the third season. Though Corbutt was excellent as Linc it was as though Stirling Silliphant and the other writers lost something besides George Maharris after his exit. Aimless stories that lacked the grit and heart of those early ones were all too common as season four progressed into it's final stages. Even the special episodes featuring salutes to comedy and Hollywood icons seemed more out of place than welcome respites. As Route 66 ends it must have been apparent to all involved the magic was gone.
That said the final of a two-part finale attempted to pull out all the stops and end with a bang. Did it make it? Not so much. In spite of a stellar cast the story was plain silly. The comedy used bordered on slapstick as Tod and Linc shifted into various characters attempting to create an outcome in the rendering of a four million dollar inheritance of which strangely, Tod and his bride stood to gain, but admitted to not wanting. Why bother? The most poignant part was Lincs separation from the now wed Tod and his walk down a long drive. The dream was over and so was the show. As noted there's an excellent cast and they make the most of a weak finale provided by the writers. If you sense I feel this series deserved better, you're right. What began so wonderfully and possessed greatness ended as so much less.
That said the final of a two-part finale attempted to pull out all the stops and end with a bang. Did it make it? Not so much. In spite of a stellar cast the story was plain silly. The comedy used bordered on slapstick as Tod and Linc shifted into various characters attempting to create an outcome in the rendering of a four million dollar inheritance of which strangely, Tod and his bride stood to gain, but admitted to not wanting. Why bother? The most poignant part was Lincs separation from the now wed Tod and his walk down a long drive. The dream was over and so was the show. As noted there's an excellent cast and they make the most of a weak finale provided by the writers. If you sense I feel this series deserved better, you're right. What began so wonderfully and possessed greatness ended as so much less.
