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.
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.
