Marshal of Sweetwater

Gene Roddenberry could make just about any story fit just about any genre. Paladin was generally a decent character, but his flaws sometimes got the best of him, thus creating a story line. It all came down to who was holding the pen on the episode. Anyone given the directing credit could direct a Have Gun Will Travel episode when Gene Roddenberry penned it. Richard Boone, for the most part, could carry his end of the deal. It was rare to see a story Boone couldn't handle.

This is one of those stories that fit the decency of Paladin's gentleman knight mentality. And you had Kathie Browne. Put Kathie Browne against any man or two, and she could twist heart strings better than the biggest bombshells in Hollywood. Then, you add David White. He played his typical, "I'm a straight arrow, as long as I'm getting the lion's share out of the deal," character.

And as Gene Roddenberry proved later in Star Trek, he was great at creating conflict when power and love interests were in the mix. Now, I don't believe this was the best episode that Gene Roddenberry wrote or the best episode Kathie Browne played in, but that doesn't mean I can give it any less that 10 stars. If more episodes were written like this, with guest characters like Kathie Browne and even David White, Richard Boone would have been more willing to stay on for more than 5 seasons, the 6th season wouldn't have seemed so forced, and Paladin could have been higher up on the best western lead character, closer to Marshal Dillon. This episode had just the right amount of tension, drama, comedy, twist, and ultimately, a pretty good ending, despite having to fit into the 30 minute usually overstuffed or too thin time slot.

Paladin arrives in town along with shady lady (Browne) where he finds old army buddy (White) now the marshal. Trouble is the marshal is running the town behind a set of righteous rules that only he makes. In short, the ageing guy has turned into a fast-draw tyrant. Paladin's offended, especially when the marshal picks on the shady lady, but will he challenge his old comrade-in-arms.

Pretty good episode. The kittenish Browne manages a head of steam when her character needs to. Frankly, White doesn't manage the force needed to be a persuasive tyrant. Still some tension arises as we watch their old friendship sour. But will there be a showdown, and if so, what will Paladin do since the marshal seems a hair faster.