Earlier reviewers have covered this episode very well,and I learned a lot from reading their thoughts and insights. I have to agree that this Maverick episode is an awesome spoof of Gunsmoke. I can only wonder what led them to make such a novel episode ?
I must also agree with whomever mentioned the skill of the stand-ins for the real Gunsmoke characters. The portrayal of the characters of the real Gunsmoke was done very well and with stylish nuance by all. The episode really is a lot to take in,all at once,especially if you aren't hip to the parody angle on first viewing. I can only wonder if tv viewers of the day were aware of the Gunsmoke parody angle before they watched it? Maybe it was mentioned in tv guide at the time,who knows? TV guide came out in 1953,so it is possible. Fans of either,or both shows caught onto the link right away,other viewers figured it out in hindsight,and some never did but still enjoyed the show.
Today we have the luxury to rewatch these episodes as many times as we want,and upon subsequent viewings this episode reveals richer and funnier nuances and details,it really is a borderline masterpiece I say.
Interesting and entertaining,worth seeing multiple times.
Review of Gun-Shy
