The F.U.

The story is pretty routine until the surprising end that may cause a head turning double-take. Clovis (Freed) is a crooked gambler who faces down the inoffensive Onie (Flynn) when the latter catches him cheating. Later, Onie's gunned down mysteriously causing Matt and Chester to chase after Clovis who's boarded a train. Then, while the law is gone, Dodge's bank gets robbed of big money. So what's going on here.

Actually the gang's trick seems more contrived and harsher (poor Onie) than usual. But that's really beside the point. Writer Meston always had an independent streak, a real asset to the series' classic status. Here, it's on clear display with the ending. He not only challenges TV strictures, but shows another side to the Matt-Chester relationship that's seldom seen, yet is quite affecting in its human dimension. At the same time, what a fine actor Weaver was as he shows here. And, oh yes, check out the rather puzzling title to the entry. My guess is it's gutter slang for "a bungled task". I don't think the production crew expected draft titles to reach the public, and probably had a chuckle over this one.

Finalment he didnt vet the and guy! Twists plot. Would lo e to know well Matt mas relibed back in Dodge. Chester is a hoot.

(*Chester quote*) - "You know, maybe it was just an accident."

This episode of TV's "Gunsmoke" was aptly titled "The F.U.".

Its story all has to do with a crooked blackjack dealer named Al Clovis who tries to pull the wool over Marshal Dillon's eyes.

Clovis is a pretty crafty gambler who unexpectedly gets his just deserts before getting around to reaping his profits.

You really had to feel sorry for Matt in the early episodes. Having Chester as an assistant ( not a Deputy) had to so frustrating. With Quint Festus Newly and Thad to follow as actual Deputies it did get better. Chester's heart or courage was never a problem . Just his competence.

Everything is going nice until we get to the ending and the story comes crashing down. It just did not end in a way expected in a 'Gunsmoke' episode.

Al Clovis is a gambler that has some highly questionable tactics. When a common farmer, Onie Becker, claims that Clovis dealt from the bottom, the gambler is set for a gunfight. Becker leaves but is later gunned down on Front Street.

Marshal Dillon is highly suspicious of Clovis' action when he suddenly takes the train out of town. Somehow Marshal Dillon and Chester get aboard the train heading east and capture Clovis. But while the Marshal was away the Dodge Bank gets robbed. Matt believes that both situations are tied together.

A common story that has been played many times in classic western shows. It will be the ending that will leave viewers scratching their heads and wondering what else happened. Another thing that was puzzling was how did Matt and Chester get on the train. I feel sure that if they ask the conductor not to leave before they check the train then it would have never left Dodge. Perhaps they got on the train at another stop which is rather unlikely since it was night time. Anyway there are some questions about the show but the most important question is, 'Can someone direct me to part Two'?