"The Rifleman" A Matter of Faith (TV Episode 1959) Poster

(TV Series)

(1959)

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8/10
Even though the story was very predictable, it still turned out well.
kfo949413 July 2013
With a drought starting to hit the farmers hard around the North Fork area, the railroad sends a barker to the area to recruit workers for $3 a day and a one year contract. With the land not producing any vegetation the farmers are thinking that this may be the only way out of starvation.

In comes a man named Mr Epps, played by the great character actor Royal Dano, who is an aged poor man but tells the farmers that he is a water-witch and can find water for them. The railroad barker also has a companion that feels that Epps is giving the farmer too much hope and wants to shut up Epps permanently. But the companion, Hode Evans, will also have to deal with Lucas McCain.

A pleasant story that has some respected actors in many of the parts. From Dano, Parley Baer and Bing Russell- this episode choose the best for the cast. Even though the story was very predictable, it still held the viewers attention to the end. Nice watch.
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6/10
an unfortunately hilarious ending
grizzledgeezer22 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
In my review of episode 1.33, "The Money Gun", I praise "The Rifleman" for its edgy and (for TV of that era) unconventional story-telling.

This episode would be a good one if it weren't for the laugh-inducing ending. I almost fell out of bed.

The drought mentioned in "The Money Gun" is making things tough for ranchers and farmers. Many are considering an offer to commit themselves for a year of labor with the railroad for $3 a day. The temptation is strong, even though there's no way of knowing whether their untended land will still be workable in a year.

Then a scrawny geezer (played by the 35-yo Royal Dano in beautiful old-age makeup) nearly trips over Mark. The man -- Jonas Epps -- offers Mark candy, but Lucas tells Jonas "He can buy it for himself". *

Turns out Jonas is a diviner who can find water ("If you have faith"). The railroad guys don't like Jonas, as new wells would keep them from signing up new workers. Lucas McCain isn't comfortable with Jonas, because he's seen how people have wasted money on diviners who didn't find water.

Of course, when the railroad guys start beating up on Jonas, Lucas comes to his aid, and reluctantly agrees to let him spend the night. And, of course, one of the railroad guys follows them, and tries to kill Jonas. As night must follow day, Lucas blows him away.

What Lucas then says to Jonas is startling, and incomprehensible, even for such a complex character: "It comes hard to me killin' a man. I hope you can prove I had good reason." ** In other words -- if you don't find water, I might feel I should have let him kill you!

Fortunately for North Fork, Jonas does eventually find water. But how it happens is an "aqua ex machina". I laughed my head off. It is otherwise a good episode, if only for Royal Dano's fine performance. (Dano made a career out of playing lanky geezers.)

* Epps later "gets even" when Lucas offers to buy him a drink. "I got my own money." His taking a piece of rock candy out of his mouth to drink his whisky is a comically charming moment.
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