User Reviews

Season 5 started out with a mixed bag of episodes, in terms of the usual high standards of Gunsmoke quality. Some episodes prior to this one are pretty forgettable. But Doc Judge makes up for them all with a suspenseful, emotional and intriguing tale. Focusing entirely on Doc and especially Chester, since Matt Dillon goes off on a one-day mission to deliver some paperwork (!), Chester has to cope with a deranged killer who mistakes Doc for a judge who he wants to kill. Doc doesn't take the guy seriously, and at first neither does Chester, until he sees the killer buying a gun and realizes that with this psycho stalking Doc, and Matt out of town, it's all up to him to save his friend.

To any newer Gunsmoke fans who don't understand why Chester was such an integral part of the early Gunsmoke "mythos", I say just watch this episode and see the incomparable Dennis Weaver in action. The episode starts out with Matt leaving instructions for Chester to fix a broken door hinge (it's been busted for two winters since Chester doesn't like to do outside work when it's too hot---or when it's too cold!) and to sweep out some cells that he's neglected for weeks. Chester asked if Matt wanted him to do anything while he's gone but once Matt's out of earshot Chester mumbles to himself "Sorry I asked." The stage is set for Chester to be seen as the prototypical lazy buffoon that sometimes he appears to be. But by the end of the episode we see how cleverly he misleads the bad guy and then deals with his attack upon Doc. The closing scene, where Doc is embarrassed and tongue-tied while trying to thank Chester for saving his life, while Chester struggles emotionally with having had to kill the gunslinger to save Doc... is truly well-acted. Arness doesn't have much to do in this episode but you can see in his face as he watches Doc and Chester trying to express their feelings is movingly heartfelt.

Dillon explains that the dead killer is wanted in six states and has murdered a half-dozen people including the guard during his prison escape. How many cowboy shows have the depth to show someone grieving over taking a life of such a disreputable person? A sign of top-notch script writing!

A great episode!

**SPOILERS** An excellent episode. If you're wondering why Chester is poorly paid, the fact that they've had a badly hung door for two years, and the cells have needed sweeping out for a couple of weeks might just be a clue. Now, not to be too critical, but it's Matt's job to hire a professional carpenter to do any real repair work around the public building, so, Chet's off the hook for that. BUT the sweeping? Off yer butt, and get on that broom, Chet.

On the other hand, when He's called upon to do some serious firearms work, he's usually pretty darn good. Doc poo-poo'ed the danger that Chester felt, and had he not listened, he'da been a goner. In fact, right up to the very end, Doc was trying to save the psycho's life. I liked the fact that Chester was smart enough to know when to shoot and not hold back. After Matt explained just how close he had come to his maker, Doc almost thanked him; but I really thought he was gonna say "forget about your bill, my friend" or words to that effect. I wonder if Matt had the funeral home come and get the guy, or if he just hired out a couple of guys off the street to plant Brice Harp in Boot Hill? Any way you cut it, "Adios, Creep": A. Schwarzenegger. (quote).