Even thought this story seemed somewhat weak during most of the program, by the end of the show all the things began to come together into making the show understandable. If you make it though the episode to the end, all the small action scenes all make sense. Perhaps the ending may not be to your satisfaction but the story will play out well.
The plot begins when two young married people, Tom and Mary Stocker, plan to go to California to start a new life. They have sold their farm for $1200 and plan to pick up the money from the buyer, Dan Braden. But Braden has other plans for Tom and Mary. What he has done is received the signed deed and then gave Tom a note saying he would pay within a year. Tom did not see the legal scam and now is out the money since he no longer has a farm and will be heading out west.
Tom goes to confront Braden about the scam, when suddenly a gunfight breaks out. Braden is killed. Tom rushes back to get Mary and they flee town to escape a murder charge. Tom owns a rare .36 caliber revolver and he knows that Marshal Dillon will know that he killed Braden when they find the bullet.
On the run, Tom gets into situations where he has to break the law to keep running. Finally Mary talks Tom in returning and claim self-defense for the killing. Back in Dodge, Matt has some good news for the young Tom about Braden's death. But even with that information Tom will be led to the jail by his wife perhaps for the last time.
This is a story that will all make sense in the end. Even with the slow start be prepared for a powerful ending. One ending that was really unnecessary.
