Gentleman's Disagreement

(*Chester to Doc Adams quote*) - "Marshal Dillon said I should stay in Dodge and keep an eye on things."

This episode of TV's "Gunsmoke" is all about 2 male rivals who are vying for the affections of the same woman.

Both Ed Beaudry and Bert Wells have a lot going for themselves - But, just one of them is the apple of Jeanne's eye.

What will happen when these 2 randy men discover that they have a competitor for Jeanne's attentions? Well, be sure to watch "Gentleman's Disagreement" to find out what goes down.

The episode begins when a long time friend of Marshal Dillon comes up asking for help. Jeanne Wells, who has been married to Bert the blacksmith, tells Matt that she just saw Ed Beaudry in town. Beaudry was a man that Jeanne was suppose to marry but she left him and he has been hunting for them ever since that day.

Beaudry even tells Matt his intention of killing Bert but before that can happen, Beaudry is found dead after being beating in the head. With that evidence only, Matt places Bert in jail for the murder. But Matt gets more information that might suggest another suspect.

The story was quite interesting but there was a problem with the ending that left viewers shaking their heads. Cannot give the ending without providing too much information but it just seemed that Matt was easy to arrest with very little information and just as quickly release with even smaller evidence. Anyway this was a nice show that was entertaining from beginning to end.

When Ed Beaudry is killed in an alley by having his head bashed in Dillon immediately goes after Bert Wells. No physical evidence, he just finds Bert saddling his horse and tells Dillon he and Jeanne talked it over and decided to take the trip Dillon suggested earlier. Dillon then accuses Bert of the murder. Bert tells Dillon that Jeanne and him talked it over and decided Dillon was right and he decided to take the trip. It's amazing that Dillon arrests Bert on flimsy suspicions that because there was bad blood between Bert and Beaudry, Bert must have killed him. I won't go into who really killed Beaudry. It just seems Dillon goes out on a limb arresting Bert on his suspicions.

The opening scene has Doc and Chester in fine amusing form that turns suddenly poignant. It's Doc's head-shaking disbelief against Chester's down-home ways. Good thing such an entertaining friendship can be salvaged by Chester's always empty stomach. Anyhow, it's a fairly routine episode with a pretty good wrinkle halfway through. Fintan Meyler makes for a comely, well-scrubbed lass. No wonder Beaudry's angry that Bert stole her away. Now there's going to be gunplay unless Matt can intervene. The ending's a little abrupt and pat, but then the writer (Crutchfield) has less than 30-minutes to wrap up a story. All in all, I liked the opening best.