Atypical episode from the penultimate season of "My Three Sons," this wild entry touches on the subjects of freedom, responsibility and falling into a dull routine. The entire Douglass clan is in a rut. Not the first time. The crotchety Uncle Charlie has pointed this out on more than one occasion. He has the family's daily movements down to the second. Or at least to the half minute. So out of the blue comes Jim Bell (Sal Mineo) on his chopper. Barbara, Steve's wife, catches him bathing and drinking out of a garden hose. Resourceful guy. Needless to say, she is not thrilled by the lack of manners displayed by her stepson's old pal. Everyone else in the family, however, sees him as Jim Bell from Bryant Park. Jim is the childhood friend of the oldest son, Robbie. His arrival will cause friction between Robbie and his wife, Katie, the mother of his identical triplets! Robbie is mesmerized by Jim's stories of far-off lands, exotic women and a carefree existence. Practical Katie asks Jim, "How does he finance his travels?" She also (subtely) reminds her own husband that he has a family and a job here. Robbie has an itch in the back of his throat that only a drink from the Colorado River can scratch. She relents. Robbie's character, I feel, always had an edgy side to him. I think this series gets a bad rap as being less than hip. This episode breaks the mold and the speed limit. It's a neat half hour of escapist television. But there is a message rumbling around the Douglass living room. Somewhere. I think.