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.

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.

Kathleen Hite is one of my favorite Gunsmoke writers, and, in my humble opinion, after she and John Meston left, the series lost a certain spark. Long, Long Trail makes great use of the longer format, which began with the seventh season, with never a padded moment or unnecessary scene. Barbara Lord is excellent as the slightly haughty yet likable Sarah Drew. As the episode progresses, she changes from a woman intent only on her own wishes to one who puts others first. I do question the insertion, and necessity, of the romantic overtones that grow stronger as the ending nears. As for a lack of emotion on the part of Matt near the last scene commented on by another reviewer, I see his point and yet, so many emotions chase across Matt's face as he looks around him: loss, grief, futility, questioning, a dawning of understanding, all are there in brief glimpses. It's certainly not a firestorm of emotion, as when he is angry, but a far subtler performance and one that fits the character's stoic temperament.

Now for the one flaw, which is pointed out by others, the complete absence of Miss Kitty. It doesn't feel right for Matt and Sarah to be eating dinner together without even a mention of Kitty. If only there'd been a reference to her taking a trip or some other excuse for her to be away from Dodge. And, of course, if she'd taken a stage ride somewhere, that would set up the next week's episode nicely as any fan of Gunsmoke knows that Kitty and stage travel are bound to lead to calamity.

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

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.