Prairie Wolfer

Topnotch. An episode where Festus Hagen is clean shaven, without his trademark spurs and all the main characters Mat, Miss Kitty, Doc, Chester, Quint and Sam all appear.

The most notable aspect of this episode is the introduction of the Festus Haggen character as a series regular. We first met Festus in Season 8. Apparently he has continued to have some kind of interaction with Matt Dillon and the people of Dodge City since that time, because when he enters the Long Branch Saloon early in the story, he is greeted as a friend.

Festus is a "wolfer" -- someone who hunts wolves for their hide. Ranchers in the Dodge City area are having a problem with cattle disappearing, and it is initially believed the cattle are being killed by wolves. The Cattlemen's Association in Dodge City hires Festus to rid them of the wolves.

We already know it isn't wolves that are responsible for the disappearing cattle. Nate Guthrie and Rolly Wendt are killing the cattle and selling them to the commissary at Fort Dodge. As a matter of fact, Festus rightfully reasons wolves are not responsible for the lost cattle, because there are no "leavings" or remains as would be the case if wolves were killing the cattle.

When Festus establishes his camp near Guthrie's property, Guthrie is naturally upset and begins imploring Marshal Dillon to force Festus to leave. Guthrie even suggests Haggen might be the person behind the disappearing cattle. He goes so far as to plant evidence to place blame on Festus.

Another plot element involves Guthrie's daughter Sarah. Sarah Guthrie has not had much exposure to other people, and she quickly develops a friendship with Festus when they meet. This all leads to complications with Guthrie, of course.

Luckily, Matt Dillon is around to keep the peace and make sure the truth is eventually revealed.

Noah Berry, Jr. Is Nate Guthrie. Berry, whose father and uncle were both actors of some renown, is a very familiar face, probably best known for playing Jim Rockford's father on The Rockford Files. Don Dubbins, who appeared in numerous Gunsmoke episodes, plays the Rolly Wendt character.

Holly McIntire portrays Sarah Guthrie. McIntire had a relatively short acting career, but, like Berry, she comes from a family of actors, as her father was John McIntire (a veteran of numerous westerns who played Christopher Hale in the series Wagon Train after the sudden death of Ward Bond), her mother was Jeanette Nolan (another film and television veteran who appeared in several Gunsmoke episodes and played the character Dirty Sally years later), and her brother is Tim McIntire, who also appeared in Gunsmoke episodes. She is also married to poet Charles Wright.

Another notable attribute of this episode is its distinction as the only Gunsmoke episode that features all three of the characters Chester Goode, Quint Asper, and Festus Haggen. Dennis Weaver would soon leave the cast, although Weaver and Ken Curtis would both appear as Chester and Festus in one more episode later in Season 9.

There is an especially nice touch at the end of the episode between Matt and Festus that reveals Festus Haggen is someone we will be seeing more frequently.

No sense re-hashing the story, and it was a strange one anyway. I liked McIntyre in her role, tho she was a tad strange in it; kinda trying to be challenged while she wasn't, but this is really about Festus.

I truly enjoy this version of Festus, with all the same funny buzzwords and "matter-a-factly" attitude as the later one, but he's less much less the caricature than he becomes later. A man can't be as cool & collected as the Festus in this episode, then downgrade to a WOO-HAH babbling semi-clown later. The later Festus is good and I get it, but I wish he kept a bit more dignity like this one.

It is VERY cool to see Chester & Festus interact together plus cool to have all actors who performed main roles working at the same time.

Holly McIntire portrays Sarah Guthrie. McIntire had a relatively short acting career, but she comes from a family of actors, as her father was John McIntire (a veteran of numerous westerns who played Christopher Hale in the series Wagon Train after the sudden death of Ward Bond), her mother was Jeanette Nolan (another film and television veteran who appeared in several Gunsmoke episodes and played the character Dirty Sally years later), and her brother is Tim McIntire, who also appeared in Gunsmoke episodes. She is also married to poet Charles Wright.

This is an exceptionally great episode. I hope Ms. McIntire reads this, because not only is she 10/10 beautiful, but what an actress! I was actually tearing up at the end - something I've never done (maybe I'm getting old!)! Thanks, Holly!

Great episode and a must-see for any Gunsmoke fan! And Festus clean-shaven and his folksy, friendly self, but a little tougher edge...great watch!