Closer Than a Brother

The story has Micah relapsing and going back to being a drunk because he is afraid of a thug from his past. The twist is that Micah blames Lucas for making him into a weak Marshal by always backing him up. Micah believes that because he was never on his own against the town criminals, he never had the respect of the town, and never built up confidence in himself.

That is a very thoughtful premise. Do our friends hurt us by giving us too much help? Was Micah a weak man because Lucas was his best friend? Was Micah going to get killed because of Lucas? It is a very intense story.

The bright spot is Rex Ingram, who was a movie star of black cinema in the 1930s and 1940s, and an award-winning actor. He is visiting town and needs a job, and Lucas hires him to provide wisdom and advice. As a kid, I hoped that Mr. Ingram was joining the cast as a recurring character. Unfortunately, he was only on for one show.

The scenes with Ingram providing wise advice to Lucas and Mark balance against those with angry Micah lashing out at Lucas.

This episode starts in a rather odd manner, as Micah seems to be ticked off at everyone in town. When there is ruckus at the saloon, Micah has to intervene to quiet the problem and as usual Lucas has his back. But when Lucas steps-in to help, Micah becomes outraged and claims that Lucas is always around and pulls his badge off and sticks it on Lucas. Micah is through always being bailed out by Lucas and returns to his earlier life of being the town drunk.

Later, we learn the reason that Micah is acting so poorly. The Marshal is having nightmare about an enemy that he fears. A man named Ansel Bain is in a nearby town and just the thought of him sends fear into Micah. For some reason Micah believes that Bain will be the end of him.

Lucas knows that in order to save Micah that he has to meet his fears. So he rides out and finds Bain and tells him that his mortal enemy, Micah Torrance, is in North Fork. Bain is on his way.

Cannot say too much more about this episode without giving away the entire program but it goes without saying that Lucas knows that Micah will always be a drunk unless he faces his fears. And the story telling in this script keeps the attention of the viewer the entire time.

Was not really sure why they felt the need to add the great actor Rex Ingram to the guest-cast. He could have made an entire episode by himself but we are left with an almost cameo of a character that was ill-used. Mr Ingram deserved better. Anyway--- it was a entertaining episode that was enjoyable to watch.

Then Bain kicked the door in, "hear you been upholdin' the law in this hog- waller." Micah (Paul Fix) is having nightmares and turns against his backup and best friend Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors). Ansel Bain (Berry Kroeger) is hunting Micah down and haunting his every thought. Rex Ingram hired by McCain and proves a much needed mentor to Mark (Johnny Crawford). Radio man Kroeger shows his theatrical skills in the bigger than life figure who Micah is haunted by. This episode is a thriller to the end with a lot of drama in between.