Bently

The accepted answer is that Ned wanted to make life easier for his widow. Maybe Ned was delirious on his deathbed--such a reason is just not rational, especially not in light of the town's mob mentality. That said fact is demonstrated in an early scene.

Thankfully, Ned's decision is not the central focus of the drama. If we do not dwell too long on the reasoning, the episode can be enjoyed for several reasons. First of all, where the widow comes to live. Second, the hired gun's big scene (and it is awful that other comments may have spoiled this). But most important, Dennis Weaver's farewell--another excellent performance as a valedictory.

I agree with the many reviews complaining that Chester's departure was never noted. It certainly should have at some point. That said, it seems Dennis Weaver took some time to decide to leave and how could he be sure that leaving would end up a smart move? I think the writers, by not stating he was gone, left room for Chester's possible return. Nevertheless, at some point Chester should have been celebrated...maybe in a wrap up, gala, final episode. Oh yeah, that never happened!

A mystery to be solved! Not to give too many spoilers, but this episode is a good one. I've seen it many times, and it never gets old. Marshall Dillon would be real proud of Chester as he single handily breaks a murder case which has a twist. He catches a real scoundrel. In an alternate reality, I like to think Chester made the right decision to leave Dodge and move to Californ-I-A with his guitar and strike it big as a successful singing cowboy.

Some of his compositions include: "Run Rabbit Run" & "Pack Up My Bag to Californ-I-A".

He later changed his identity to Chester McCloud, LOL. Bentley.

I much prefer the earlier episodes of Gunsmoke. I think the series worked better in the half hour format, but let's just say I like the B&W episodes. This was a good episode, and one of the earlier ones that made it clear that the ensemble cast could carry an episode without James Arness.

He had already started to reduce his participation in the show, a tendency that would grow, and continue to the end of the series. Chester was a great character, and it was the show's good fortune that they were able to find Ken Curtis, as Festus, to take his place as the marshal's side kick.

There was much less (mainly none) attention paid to tying up loose ends in series TV in those days (this was 1964). I can't be the only one who finds the handling of Chester's disappearance frustrating at least, and an insult to the memory of the character. An episode that included a story explaining his exit would have been not just appropriate, but probably wildly popular (during sweeps maybe?).

Ned Wright was tried and acquitted for killing a man named David Bently. While people that know Wright well consider him incapable of committing murder, many of the Dodge City residents still suspect Wright is guilty, and they shun Wright and his wife Clara. When Wright falls ill with a sickness that will prove to be fatal, he confesses to the murder on his death bed.

Most people that care enough to have an opinion appear to be willing to accept Wright's confession and move on, but Chester Goode finds the situation troubling. Chester thinks Wright confessed to alleviate pressure on his widow.

Albert and Emily Calvin are wealthy residents of Dodge. David Bently worked for the Calvins before he was killed. The couple takes pity on the newly widowed Mrs. Wright and invite Clara to move into their home.

Chester refuses to accept the notion that Ned Wright killed David Bently and begins airing his doubts to anyone that will listen. The guilty party soon becomes worried Chester will discover the truth and sets about attempting to make sure the truth is never revealed. The funny thing is, Chester has no evidence, only suspicions. If the real killer simply left matters alone the likelihood of the truth ever being known is virtually nonexistent.

John Kneubuhl wrote this script. He also wrote the script for the earlier Season 9 episode, "The Magician." Although those were the only Gunsmoke scripts Kneubuhl ever provided, both were compelling, entertaining stories. It is a bit curious that the episode is named "Bently," but we never see the David Bently character.

Jan Clayton plays the role of Clara Wright. Although she appeared in many television shows during her career, Ms. Clayton was perhaps best known in the role of Ellen Miller, Jeff's mother in the Lassie television series. (The early episodes of the series that featured the Miller family were retitled Jeff's Collie in syndication.)

Of course, this episode is especially noteworthy as the last appearance of Dennis Weaver as the Chester Goode character. This episode was actually filmed earlier, but the airing was delayed until much later for some reason.

I grew up watching the later episodes of Gunsmoke that featured the Festus Haggen character. Many years later, I had the opportunity to see the earlier episodes of the series, and I admit I initially considered the earlier episodes without Ken Curtis inferior. However, I soon learned to appreciate Dennis Weaver's outstanding work as the Chester Goode character.

This is an excellent finale for this iconic character. In earlier years, Chester was often portrayed as a lovable, often bumbling, sometimes incompetent person that Matt Dillon often kept around despite his flaws. In the few Season 9 episodes where Chester is seen, he has clearly evolved into a more dependable, sometimes shrewd individual. In both this and the earlier "Quint's Trail" episodes, Chester perseveres despite doubts by the people around him. It is fitting that the closing scene shows Chester walking away from the camera alone along a Dodge City sidewalk.