Spring Term

Cannot say too much about the gunfire in this episode without giving away the ending but when Matt has to fire his gun, he just does not shoot one or two rounds- Matt empties his gun to make sure things are done.

It begins when an innocent man is gunned down one evening. Later we learn that the bullet was actually intended for Matt rather than the innocent man. The only thing the innocent man can tell the Marshal is that he heard the named 'Stone' when he was shot in the back.

Matt remembers a man named Stone that was hung by some cattlemen. Stone's partner, Danch, thought Matt killed him and vowed to one day kill Matt. After another attempt to kill the Marshal, Matt learns that Danch is in a nearby town. Matt and Chester take off to find the man responsible for the innocent man's death.

A typical western show with the good guy chasing the bad guy. The only thing that really stand out is the ending that should be viewed. Anyway good enough to hold my interest to make for a good watch.

When popular Dodge City man is gunned down, Matt realizes he was the intended target and that an innocent man has died in his place. Now Matt feels a sense of guilty vengeance and goes after the culprits.

Average episode, whose high point may be Matt's understandable anger. However, the storyline also involves several mistaken assumptions that lead to the cycle of violence. Thus an element of tragedy is present, though this is mistakenly not played up enough in the script.

Familiar face Harry Townes gets a patented role as the weasely back-shooter Bill Lee. Not much characteristic byplay to lighten the mood. There is, however, some suspense as Matt tries to track down the formidable Danch (Newlan). Once again, Arness shows an effortless ability to express a variety of required emotions. Otherwise, it's a fairly routine episode.

Matt talks to a wounded man who was shot in the back. He didn't see who shot him but he heard him say "this is for Stone." Matt tells Chester that he thinks the bullet was meant for him as the wounded man ( later he dies) wore the same hat as his and similar builds. He knew Stone a while back and a man called Danch thinks he had hung Stone, hence he's out for revenge. Hs worried that he will be shot next. But he intends to find the killer before he finds him.

An above average episode which features James Arness in an angry mood. His anger towards Harry Townes is quite intense- and it all ends with a decent showdown.

I can imagine folks back in 1956 watching this after they've put the kids to bed. "Gunsmoke" was billed as an _adult_ Western, and this episode enforces that. There are many light-hearted episodes, but this is not one of them. This series entertains with the novelty of themes from week to week, and I thought this episode was a real winner.

Also notable is the cinematography, especially the close ups of the villain as he (literally) sweats in the Marshall's office during his brief release. The director knew that the audience would be watching on screens no larger than seventeen inches (and most probably on a 12-1/2" display) and the extreme closeups really make use of that medium.

Good installment of a great show.