Big Girl Lost

Murder threats made in front of witnesses by someone who should have brains enough to know better. Stupid confrontation between Matt and the hired killer. Worthless episode from opening to close, except for the funny part with Chester playing his comb.

One star.

Laura Simmons, that works at the Long branch, has just been told by Marshal Dillon that a man named Philip Locke is looking for her. She tells the Marshal that she was engaged to Philip not long ago and that his family did not want them to marry due to her social status.

Philip Locke comes from a aristocratic family in Philadelphia and use to getting his way by paying people to do his dirty work. When Matt refuses to tell Philip where Laura is located, Philip hires a man to do some killing. The problem is that he hires a near retarded person to take care of his business.

This story sounded nice but did not resound to TV as well as expected. The characters just did not seem right for the show as the rich sooty person was too nice and the saloon girl too conservative. More energetic actors in this parts could have made this episode much more entertaining. Then thrown in the hired gunman as a half-wit mental patient and the characters just were not believable. This episode needs a recast.

A reasonably ok episode, nothing earth shattering or horrible but, for me, it was nice to see Michael Pate in a role other than a Native American. Not that being a Native American is wrong or bad but, back in the day, they put people who WEREN'T actually Native American in these roles. So, I liked him, of course but, the girl who played Laura was a good actress and of course, yay Bill Pence for standing up for her. I know not all salloon gals were prostitutes by any means, and it's nice to see someone publicly stand up for them.

I read the user reviews before watching the episode, which I had recorded. One reviewer made the comment that Laura falling for "the bartender" seemed unbelievable. But when I watched the episode, I realized that the "night in shining armor" who kept a protective and watchful eye on Laura was none other than the owner of the Longbranch, Bill Pence, who later became a 50/50 partner with Kitty in the episode "Daddy-O". I could not recall another episode in which Bill Pence was much more than an "extra" with a smattering of lines to say after becoming Kitty's partner. I actually enjoyed seeing him featured in this episode. It implied a possible romance, but I don't think I recall Bill Pence ever being a central character (other than this episode) behind the bar to the same extent that Sam eventually became in later seasons.

Laura Simmons (Gloria McGehee), who works at the Long branch, has just been told by Marshal Dillon that a man named Philip Locke (Michael Pate) is looking for her. She tells the Marshal that she was engaged to Philip not long ago and that his family did not want them to marry due to her social status. Philip Locke comes from an aristocratic family in Philadelphia and is used to getting his way by paying people to do his dirty work.

When Matt refuses to tell Philip where Laura is located, Philip hires a man to do some killing. The problem is that he hires a person with behavioural issues ( special needs) to take care of his business and the barkeep who fancies Laura is in danger.

The great Michael Pate and his choice to do his killing for him elevates this episode. Plus it's not always you get some focus on the barkeep. They are usually in the background. But that's what I like about Gunsmoke - it's not only centred on gunslingers, outlaws and lawmen, but different town folks. The ending is quite good - he and Laura find each other. Chester is at his most humorous here with him making that awful racket in the beginning.