Long, Long Trail

Season 7 of Gunsmoke is notable in its portrayal of women. The first two episodes of the season feature scheming women in a negative light. The third episode focuses on Kitty Russell's devotion to an old friend, and demonstrates her tough nature.

This is the sixth episode of the season, and it highlights one of the most dynamic woman characters of the entire series. Barbara Lord is Sarah Drew. Lord had a short acting career, primarily appearing in television dramas in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Her performance in this episode of Gunsmoke is excellent.

Sarah appears in Dodge City seeking help in reaching her fiancé at Fort Wallace, which is over 150 miles northwest of Dodge. Matt and Chester tell Sarah the trail from Dodge to Fort Wallace is treacherous, and they strongly advise against her attempting to make the trip. But Sarah is determined. She eventually convinces Matt to take her, and thus the story truly begins.

There is some deserved criticism of a few of the hour-long Gunsmoke episodes during this season, as the transition from the first six seasons of 30-minute episodes sometimes resulted in obvious filler material. This episode certainly does not fall into that category. As a matter of fact, there is enough action in this episode, it could have easily filled a two-part episode.

(I particularly would have enjoyed seeing more scenes with Mabel Albertson as Gody Baines. She seems like a character that deserved an episode of her own.)

Along the way, Matt and Sarah encounter many obstacles, which is really the point to this fast-paced episode.

Kathleen Hite wrote over 40 episodes of Gunsmoke between 1957 and 1965, including some of the most memorable stories, including this one.

The most glaring thing missing from this episode is any presence of Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell. It is understandable, because the majority of the episode takes place outside of Dodge City, but I cannot imagine Kitty would have been too happy about Matt and Sarah having dinner together at Delmonico's. Nor would she have been likely to have been pleased to hear the story of what happened on the prairie once Matt returned. The fact that whatever her relationship with Matt was is completely ignored in this story is notable.

One has to wonder how Matt Dillon would have reflected on the events of this episode as he went on with his life. While Sarah makes her feelings for Matt very clear, Dillon remains his usual, guarded self where it comes to relationships with women.

The previous episode, "All That," and this episode highlight the benefits of the show moving to the hour-long format.

I agree with the other reviewers that this is a great episode. Barbara Lord is just excellent and enchanting in this episode. Why she was used so little? Perhaps she stopped acting because of her family. The story is also very good and exciting. Her transformation from a self-conscious and proud woman towards more natural and warm is heart-warming. She is a great contrast to reticent Matt in their long and arduous trip. The episode also shows how some of look for only selfish interests and some are eager to help though it may have great costs to them. Its author was Kathleen Hite. This must be one of the top episodes of Gunsmoke. I have seen all until thesecond of seventh episode.

In my opinions one of the best episodes of the series. A very beautiful young woman wants to reach her husband who is stationed at Fort Wallace . A long dangerous trek that Matt try's several times to discourage her from doing .When finally agreeing to escort her the real story begins . The chemistry between Matt and Sarah is believable and touching .

This Gunsmoke story, "Long, Long Trail" is among my very most beloved episodes of my most beloved series, period. James Arness, Barbara Lord and Mabel Albertson outdid themselves with their performances. The other cast members were all excellent as well. The story is about a headstrong Bostonian who needs to get to Fort Wallace, Kansas to meet with her officer fiance so they can be wed. Sarah Drew must find somebody to escort her through the harsh prairie land, with hostile Indian tribes, wilderness and all kinds of dangers that are completely foreign to a lady from Boston. The story will NOT disappoint. I want to avoid spoilers. It is a guarantee that, "Long, Long Trail" is bound to become one of YOUR favorite Gunsmoke stories, too. The ONLY sticking point for me is that her fiance is beyond a jerk for leaving such a lady to her own devices to get out to Ft. Wallace on her own. What sort of a creep man would do that?! She is a lady on her own, unfamiliar with the dangers of the area. Yet, "Mr. Wonderful" officer in the cavalry does not even arrange to have her escorted out to the fort?? Better still, escort her himself?? Granted, the story had to be this way in order for it to play itself out. Still, it would have put her intended in a better light if he HAD arranged an escort, but somehow the plan had fallen through. To simply leave her to fend for herself is a most unlikely scenario for that era, or even by today's standards. Great, great story, nonetheless.

A head strong beautiful Boston women, Sarah Drew, makes her way to Dodge with the expectations of meeting her lover at Fort Wallace many miles from Dodge. However, the lover forgot to tell her that there is no way to get to Fort Wallace since it is so far in the back country of the prairie. (something that would have been helpful info)

She tricks her way into making Marshal Dillon escort her to the rugged Fort Wallace. Along the way they will run into just about every disaster known to mankind. From fire, dead children, Indians, fever, starvation, mistrusting hillbillies and death- the two meet with everything the writer can throw.

There is a lot to absorb in this episode since not much time can be spent on one mayhem till another arises. But with the ending a restful calm falls over the show. Maybe not the ending we wanted but one that makes for a good watch.