User Reviews

Joe Stark is a broke, hungry drifter when he happens upon an old man. The old man offers to make some stew with some potatoes he has, but Stark notices the old man has a chicken. When Stark suggests they kill and eat the chicken, the old man explains the chicken is his pet, and he has no interest in killing it. In an act of extreme, callous cruelty (so the audience knows what a despicable character Stark is), Stark then takes the chicken from the old man and rides off.

A hungry cowboy named Billy Hargis sees Stark cooking the chicken over a fire, and stops to say hello. At first, Stark is suspicious, but he then curiously invites Hargis to share the chicken. While they enjoy their meal, Stark tells Hargis how he admires the horse he is riding. After the two men bed down for the night, Stark decides he will steal the horse. Hargis sees Stark trying to sneak away and confronts him. The two get into a fist fight, and Hargis knocks a few of Stark's teeth loose.

Both men make their respective ways to Dodge City. Stark is bent on getting revenge for the beating Hargis dispensed out on the prairie. He starts a rumor that Hargis killed the infamous gunfighter Beau Carter in the hopes it will make Hargis a target for anyone looking to build their reputation.

Meanwhile, Hargis meets Cara Miles at the Long Branch Saloon. The pair fall in love and plan to marry. Cara makes Billy promise not to wear a gun.

Stark soon leaves Dodge, confident the rumor he started will be effective. Aspiring gunfighter blow-hard Dan Flack hears the story about Hargis and decides to entice Hargis into a gunfight that really isn't a fight at all.

This episode features another great cast. Jeremy Slate, who appeared in several Gunsmoke episodes and lived a fascinating life (look up his biography on IMDB if you are interested), is Billy Hargis. Veteran actor William Phipps is the slimy drifter Joe Stark. Anjanette Comer was a stunning beauty at this time and plays Cara Miles. Rayford Barnes, who often played heavies, is nasty enough as Dan Flack. Familiar character actors such as I. Stanford Jolley, Barney Phillips, and William Fawcett all play relatively small-but-important parts.

There is a surprise twist ending to this episode, but it isn't enough to fully redeem the somewhat convoluted story. Characters appear and disappear. Plot elements are suddenly abandoned. The whole premise doesn't hold up to close scrutiny. Even Matt's actions near the end of the episode lack authenticity.

There are some redeeming qualities to this episode. The acting is top notch. Stark's scheme to cause Hargis trouble is intriguing, and the story is entertaining enough. It just left a lot of things unanswered. Ultimately the episode falls a little short to be considered a truly great episode.

Solid episode with a lot of great character interaction--- very well done in most respects.

The individual scenes and dramatic events are so convincing that only at the end do we realize that the script is somewhat misjudged...not that it really matters. But it might have made an extremely compelling HALF hour show.

Consider all the time and attention given to the Bill Phipps character (Stark). In the latter half of the show, "Flack" steps in and takes over the role of antagonist, and Stark basically bows out. So WHY do we need so much of Stark? --- the entire chicken-stealing scene? The stable scene where Chester picks up a hunk of wood to defend Moss from Stark? Stark's four loose teeth? Again, it's all well-done, but ultimately Starks' character is REPLACED in the final, crucial scenes by Flack, who shows up out of nowhere.

There are a couple more things that seem rather contrived, and are only there to facilitate the plot: 1.) Bill Phipp's yelling "Killer--you're a killer!" after he gets pummeled by Jeremy Slate. No reason for him to do that EXCEPT to set up the following scenes in Dodge. 2.) The very convenient and stage-y altercation between Barney Phillips and Stanford Jolley...again, an obvious plot contrivance, ending with a "If you ever need a friend..." from the bum to Hargis. But the relationship worked out nicely as the plot progressed.

And, speaking of relationships, Anjanette Comer was an absolutely gorgeous babe, and a heck of an actress to boot. She and Jeremy made a terrifically engaging couple, and you just HOPE that things will work out for them, as the forces of evil begin to close in. Too bad.

And just as Jeremy ran upstairs in a rage to find out what happened to her, we cut to a STUPID scene with a yawning Chester and an unwelcome, intrusive "comic" exchange with Doc. Wrong time, wrong place for it.

And why did both Chester and Sam tell Dillon that neither of them saw who drew first (Mims or Flack) in the final shoot-out? They were both standing a few feet away watching-- as was the rest of the crowd. That was very unconvincing. And the only one who could testify was the mystery guy who happened to walk in to the Long Branch just in time for the shooting.

Still, IN SPITE OF ALL OF THIS, I'd rate the show an 8. It's very well made, and the romantic couple is very engaging. LR

PS-- Hate to admit it, but that roast chicken shorrrrr looked tasty.....

There are two very good reviews here - lol mine isn't one. Just read, you'll find them. I always enjoy reading these reviews. The only ones I abhor is when someone comes here to pick an episode apart. It's rude & disrespectful imo. Sure there have been (very FEW) episodes that i didn't love but what's the point of sharing my disappointment? It's a looong time ago, they tried their best, most often a great show with a wonderful touching message, most importantly tho, it's my FAVORITE SHOW, it's the BEST WESTERN so how 'bout LAY THE F OFF! Yinz couldn't have done any better!