Long, Long Trail

I normally start writing a review and expound in detail my opinions, known facts, and final analysis so to speak. But after watching this episode i don't think i can write as much as i'm normally used to. This episode by far goes down as one of the BEST Gunsmoke episodes i have had the opportunity to watch. It appeared slightly predictable in the beginning but surprisingly saddening at the end. Barbar Lord was passionately moving from beginning to the end. This episode was scripted to express the reality of the old west and all that life can bring. I'm man enough to say that it brought a tear to my eye in viewing the tragic finale to this episode and all i wished for was some raw emotion from Matt upon losing his trail companion, but i quickly realized that the character of Marshall Matt Dillon is prone to be numb to love and loss. This episode in my opinion follows in a long line of well scripted, well acted, perfectly realistic & well toned to make this 60's television show well worthy of 10 stars and 100% certified Classic TV..I wrote more than i thought i would..again

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.

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.

Sarah Drew is determined to join her fiancé at a remote fort 150 miles from Dodge. Marshal Dillon tells her the trail is very difficult for a man to traverse let alone a woman. She tries to get Matt to assist her in reaching the fort, but he declines. On his way to Hays on marshal business, he is met on the trail by her and she persuades him help her reach the fort. The rest of this episode is primarily about Matt and Sarah on the trail and is pure dynamite. Barbara Lord (in real life, the mother of Patrick 'Puddy' Warburton of the "Seinfeld" series) is terrific as the beautiful young woman who won't take 'no' for an answer. Lord retired from acting to raise a brood of four (Patrick being the oldest) and this was her last performance for 17 years. Kathleen Hite wrote numerous teleplays for "Gunsmoke" and this one could arguably be considered her best script. Although this episode was shot in black and white, it is as good or better than most of the later stories filmed in color. (Most of the usual regulars don't have much to do here)