User reviews

Chad Timpson moved back to the Dodge City area to care for his mentally challenged brother, Orv, after the death of their father. Chad has established solid roots in the area after a questionable past as a criminal. He has even developed a romantic relationship with Madge at the Long Branch Saloon.

Unfortunately, Chad's past deeds come back to haunt him in the form of one Del Phillips, an old associate from Chad's criminal days. Del is determined to settle his differences with Chad in a gunfight.

Meanwhile, Orv mistakes Madge's affection toward him as romance, although Madge presumably only cares for Orv because of her affection for Chad. This leads to a series of misunderstandings that have dire consequences for everyone involved.

There are more great performances by the guest stars in this episode, but we kind of take that for granted with Gunsmoke. Tom Skerritt as Orv is a particularly great performance.

In many ways this episode harkens back to earlier days of the series when it seemed most of the episodes were tragedies. As the series progressed through the years, the writing tended to move more toward happier--or at least endings that were not as dark as some of the earlier episodes. I do agree with one of the other reviewers that the writers/producers of the episode had other choices, and the ending that was chosen seems more like a quick way to wrap up the story, as opposed to something that might have been more profound.

It's a good episode with some great acting, but the story definitely deserved a better ending.

Tom Skerritt gives a Great performance and shows why he will be around for decades to come. Mike Kellin is Solid as a Rock. I think Kellin, as with so many other "Bit" actors of that time, shows why he stayed busy acting for 3 Decades....and then the Beauty of Gail Kobe. One of my personal Favorites. Beauty and Brains. 30+ years. Acting and Producing. I'm a Fan of the Early Westerns, Perry Mason, Twilight Zone ect...and in my opinion, Gail stole every scene she was in...and the most beautiful smile in Hollywood.

Combine these actors together and you get a Great episode of Gunsmoke. The 50's-70's gave Us some of the Best Actors ever on film.

I been watching gunsmoke when I noticed the first episode starting awhile back. My dad watched it when it aired orginally. I saw a few but never really watched it. So I surprised how good this show is. There has been some good shows but this one was the best I've seen since it started. The 3 guest players were so good I was surprised that I had the feelings I did at the end. It's been a long time since a show has bought emotion up like this one did. I know now why this show lasted 20 years. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series to watch as I know there will be many more good episodes to watch.

I just watched this for the umpteenth time . Gunsmoke is my all time favorite show . I watch the reruns daily and watched it in the 60s and 70s . The writing touches emotions the way few shows can . This episode is spot on . If you watch regularly and see actors like Tom Skerrit play a range of characters you really appreciate their ability and persona . I'll be watching these episodes on into the future . Excellence never plays out . I watch me tv these days to see gunsmoke . They play mostly in order . I enjoy watching the show evolve and grow and I get to know the writers and directors and the music producers . This show is solid all the way around . After over 50 years of watching it I still get entertained and touched .