Belle's Back

(*Belle Ainsley to Marshal Dillon quote*) - "I'm 3 years older and 10 years harder."

Belle Ainsley has returned to Dodge after a 3-year absence and things don't look too good for her.

Not only has her sister, Phyllis turned out to be a headstrong young woman - But, she's still involved with the likes of Jess Krieger who's making her life very difficult.

Word is that Belle's back in town and when she strides into the Long Branch, you can see why she's an item. The town doesn't trust her since she ran off some time ago with well known scoundrel Ainsley. But now she's got her little sister Phyllis in tow and puts her up in the Dodge House where presumably she can keep a protective eye on her. But then Phyllis disappears and Matt gets involved.

Average episode except for Talbot's commanding performance as Belle, which is pivotal to the episode. It's a pretty good screenplay, absent clichés, but without much suspense. Matt's prickly exchange with Dodge House clerk, Dobie (Clark), is a good touch, providing some flavor to the town.

Wish there was five minutes more of the episode to see the return of one of the characters but it did not happen and we are left to ourselves to fill in the blanks.

Nita Talbot was terrific as Belle Ainsley a young woman that has returned after running away with an outlaw, Jesse Crowder, years ago. She has return to Dodge, much to the dislike of the townsfolk, saying that she has left the outlaw and is ready to face the people of the town and settle down. But there is something suspicious about Belle's actions.

After going to her father's house, she takes her younger sister, Phyllis, to the Dodge House and gets her a room. She is told to stay there indefinitely until someone comes to return her to the house. When Matt hears about this set-up, Chester and him take a ride out to the Ainsley house. While drinking coffee with Mr Ainsley and Belle, Matt believes something is amiss.

An enjoyable story that was well acted. Nita Talbot has never looked so beautiful as in this episode as she plays the harden Belle that has returned to face the wrath of her town. Even with the 'unfinished' ending the story was entertaining to watch.