"Maggie O'Bannion" is another gem from the second season of the very dark Western Series called "Have Gun-Will Travel," which proceeded from 1857-1963. In this Episode, Paladin displays many of his most sophisticated sensitivities and aptitudes impressively. But the episode begins as many other episodes do, with the black knight being duped, ambushed, knocked unconscious and forcibly deprived of his possessions. Most of the dramatic action in this episode occurs in the kitchen and dining room of Maggie O'Bannion's ranch. Here, Paladin displays his skill in the kitchen, his artistry in the living room, and,in general, his versatile array of skills that mark him as a man's man and a lady's man par excellence. "Have Gun-Will Travel" deviated sharply from the other competing Western television shows of that time period, particularly in its audience, said to be around 60% female; and women playing roles were honored as leaders, as thinkers, as human beings who nether let society's impediments stop them nor detract from their success and happiness. This episode is no exception. "Have Gun-Will Travel" is also noteworthy for its stellar, state of the art cinematography, emulating many of the film noir techniques pioneered by such cinematic luminaries as Alfred Hitchcock. Like many of the highest quality stories, "Maggie O'Bannion" scarcely needs any allusion to guns to make it work. You can almost always detect the television programs with the highest qualities: Great actors and actresses are drawn to the lode stone of great story and great writing. This episode is one of 24 penned by Gene Roddenberry, who demonstrates here again, that simply because this episode might be classified as a Western, does not mean that it cannot be measured by the same standards as those applied to Guy de Maupassant, Chekhov or Bernard Shaw.
