Doctor's Wife

To this point in the series there simply hasn't been a better episode than this one. It features the first classic argument between Doc and Festus, it exhibits Milburn Stone marvelously, and when Stone gets the spotlight he never fails to deliver the goods. It has tragedy, suspense and deliverance. And on top of that it's a tear-jerker in an uplifting way.

What can one say about the eponymous title character? She's a mighty hard lass to bowl out. The way she smiles after taking a bite of Doc's catfish stew makes you think she's an angel. In fact, I almost got the the impression she was sweet on Doc early on. Quite the contrary, alas. Turns out she's a ruthless striver who will happily destroy a good man and hasten another's death all so her hubby's medical practice will flourish post haste. But, just when you think she's Satan's handmaiden, she learns her lesson, expresses shame and becomes a better woman.

And the happy ending is welcome. In the hands of John Meston the young doctor would have died of his gunshot wound and his destitute, desolated wife would have wandered out of Dodge with a fractured psyche. There is absolutely a place for those sorts of tragic endings, but Gunsmoke fans also need to have a song in their heart on occasion. And this episode puts it there.

Here is an episode that features Milburn Stone as the lovable Doctor that we have all grown to know. When a new doctor comes to Dodge, he will have to put up with the doctor's wife that wants to see her husband excel in his practice while Doc Adams fails. But something will happen along the way that will be a turning point. And as usual, Doc Adams goes through the entire incident with his grace and character that we all know.

Doctor Wesley May and his wife Jennifer arrive in Dodge on their way to Denver. Doc Adams gets wind of another medical doctor in town and invites the both up for supper. Doc Adams tells the two that being the only doctor in town is a learning experience that is hard to beat. With that said, Jennifer wants to stay in Dodge instead of her husband being one of five doctors in the town of Denver.

They open up a practice but find out that getting patients is harder than first thought. So Jennifer starts spreading rumors about Doc Adams. Jennifer is so obsessed with making her husband look good that when Doc Adams tells Mr Boake that his leg must be amputated because of gas-gangrene, Jennifer tells Boake that her husband can save the leg. But things do not go as planned when Dr. May finally arrives and there is no chance for him to even save Boake's life.

The story then kind of makes a weird turn where Dr. May ends up needing the help of Doc Adams. And finally Jennifer will see that they should have went onto Denver instead of spreading rumors. A very nice ending to a show that was interesting to watch. There is a scene when Dr May is injured that really made little sense but for story sake, we take the results and go forward. A good watch.

An excellent, detailed review by Irrap that I won't repeat. One of the best episodes I've watched. Try to watch it if you can. Doc at his absolute best.

Another great review from kfo9494 i see! Awesome bc i feel no responsibility to write another review, there's already a wonderful one here! Now i get to simply comment! So i watch this episode bc it's soo FUN to ABHOR Jennifer May aka Phyllis Love irl. So i figure she must be a really terrific actress to make me HATE HER soo MUCH!! lol if her job was to make my skin crawl and blood boil, then MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Anyway this is an annoyingly fun story. i loved hating every minute!

The story appears to be about spreading vicious rumors and gossip, but it is more than that. In fact, for me the basic theme was the presentation of a totally unredeemed character.

Ms. May was so completely lacking in any form of humility that it is impossible to imagine that with such egomania she could have any genuine virtues. This is not tender concern for her husband, but rather an attempt to aggrandize a possession. Lying, arrogance and deceit come so naturally to her that it is impossible to imagine she showed no signs of this earlier.

Doc Adams takes her with him on house calls, thinking that she may realize that the practice of medicine is not primarily to make money. But this sort of personality disorder is not easily treated and is incurable.