Chester Goode is really a unique TV character. In most episodes he is portrayed as a rather simple minded incompetent assistant (not deputy) to Marshall Dillon. However, there are a few episodes where the writers let Chester shine. This is one of those. Our hero Marshall Dillon could not have done better than Chester. He kills the bad guys, takes a bullet out of Doc, and makes horse soup. Not sure I can name another TV character whose competence level swings 180° like Chester's. Good watch.
8 Reviews
Dennis Weaver gives a solid performance
kfo94945 September 2013
This is a routine script that was made different by letting Doc Adams take a bullet instead of one of the regulars. And with Chester just happening to ride with Doc, he will now be in charge of removing the bullet and nursing Doc back to health.
It begins as Doc and Chester are riding back from western Kansas as Doc makes one of his annual doctor visits to the most rural parts of the state. Coming back they run into a man that has been shot. As always Doc is ready to help out. As he is tending to the injured man the two bad guys, Pitt and Jesse, return and shoot Doc for trying to mend the wounds of the injured man.
Well, from then on it is all about Chester doing his very best to keep Doc alive. But it will not be easy as the two thugs will return, for unknown reasons, to try to finish the killing.
This was a very predictable story that played out just as expected. Dennis Weaver did an excellent job of taking the lead in the story and making the viewer feel like they were part of the tale. By the time Matt finally arrives there has been three deaths and one is a horse. But make sure you find out why the horse is dead, it will make you think.
It begins as Doc and Chester are riding back from western Kansas as Doc makes one of his annual doctor visits to the most rural parts of the state. Coming back they run into a man that has been shot. As always Doc is ready to help out. As he is tending to the injured man the two bad guys, Pitt and Jesse, return and shoot Doc for trying to mend the wounds of the injured man.
Well, from then on it is all about Chester doing his very best to keep Doc alive. But it will not be easy as the two thugs will return, for unknown reasons, to try to finish the killing.
This was a very predictable story that played out just as expected. Dennis Weaver did an excellent job of taking the lead in the story and making the viewer feel like they were part of the tale. By the time Matt finally arrives there has been three deaths and one is a horse. But make sure you find out why the horse is dead, it will make you think.
Horseplay
darbski13 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** I liked this one. People just don't realize that being out on the plains can either MAKE you crazy, or you might be out there BECAUSE you're crazy. Chester did a very good job of putting a permanent chill on old Pitt, and Nage was already on his way out. Doc's hit, Chet does what he's told, and he saves Doc's life. As far as the broth that Doc himself said he needed, well Chet was inspired when asking for help from the almighty. Did Doc's horse have a name? Maybe they could call Chester's broth "Old Billie Broth" in memorium... any thoughts? Besides the fact that it was hilarious? Good that Matt showed up, but Chet handled himself honorably. (R.I.P. Dennis Weaver).
Chester Takes Over
dougdoepke18 April 2013
Chester and Doc are riding alone on the prairie when they discover a wounded man. Doc, of course, tries to help, but then the two baddies who shot the guy show up and threaten Doc if he tries to help. Shots are traded and Doc is badly wounded, while the two culprits ride off. Now Chester has two wounded men to care for, plus the threat of the bad guys returning. He and Doc are in a pickle for sure.
It's an average episode that showcases Weaver's acting abilities, especially when he thinks Doc may die. All the action takes place on the prairie with Matt making just a brief appearance. There's some suspense, but frankly the gunplay is not well staged and the inherent suspense is not played up. Watch for an early Ken Curtis bulging his eyes, and veteran bad guy Robert Wilke who belongs in the Thuggery Hall of Fame.
It's an average episode that showcases Weaver's acting abilities, especially when he thinks Doc may die. All the action takes place on the prairie with Matt making just a brief appearance. There's some suspense, but frankly the gunplay is not well staged and the inherent suspense is not played up. Watch for an early Ken Curtis bulging his eyes, and veteran bad guy Robert Wilke who belongs in the Thuggery Hall of Fame.
Doc Adams Saves Himself
Johnny_West7 April 2020
This episode features three buffalo hunters in a fight with each other. Robert Wilke, who was a guest on Gunsmoke seven times, tries to kill his own brother, played by Lew Brown, who had 21 appearances on Gunsmoke. The third villain is played by Ken Curtis, in one of his guest appearances before joining the cast as Festus Haggin.
Doc Adams and Chester are riding back to Dodge in Doc's buggy when they hear a shot. Instead of going faster to avoid getting killed, they slow down to check what happened, and find Lew Brown with a bullet in the chest. They stop to render aid, and instead of putting the injured Brown in the back of the buggy and hauling over to Dodge, Doc decides to operate in the culvert where the injured man is.
Chester is boiling water, and Doc is tending to Brown, when along comes Jesse (Ken Curtis) and wants Doc to let Brown die. Curtis also takes Brown's rifle, mule, and gear. Chester is just standing around, useless like usual. A few minutes later, Pitt (Wilke), and Curtis come back and threaten to kill Doc and Chester. Chester quickly pulls out his rifle and tells them to leave. But as often happens, Chester stops paying attention to the villains (Wilke & Curtis), and is just standing next to Doc goofing off when Wilke starts shooting at them, and Doc gets shot.
Once again, Chester's incompetence leads to somebody getting injured or killed. In this case both. As a result of Doc being shot, he cannot continue tending to Brown, so he dies. At that point Doc tells Chester that he has to take out the bullet and sew him up, or Doc will die too.
While it is Chester that has to rise up to the occasion in order to fix the problems he created, the true star is Doc Adams, who remains in charge and tells Chester what to do, in spite of getting shot in the guts.
This episode is rough. Wilke and Curtis just ride into the story to create a threat, but they are good actors who are wasted here. The story features Chester crying and praying for Doc, and that is very touching.
Like usual, the writer, John Meston, had to add some bizarre and macabre detail that is supposed to show how harsh the West is. Did Chester really need to kill a horse to make broth for Doc? Did we need to know that? Chester had a couple of rifles, so why didn't Chester go hunt for some of that famous prairie chicken (grouse), or rabbits, or anything else? When they pack up to leave, Chester carries a pretty big picnic basket and a medium sized kettle to the buggy. Who ate all the food in the picnic basket?
Doc Adams and Chester are riding back to Dodge in Doc's buggy when they hear a shot. Instead of going faster to avoid getting killed, they slow down to check what happened, and find Lew Brown with a bullet in the chest. They stop to render aid, and instead of putting the injured Brown in the back of the buggy and hauling over to Dodge, Doc decides to operate in the culvert where the injured man is.
Chester is boiling water, and Doc is tending to Brown, when along comes Jesse (Ken Curtis) and wants Doc to let Brown die. Curtis also takes Brown's rifle, mule, and gear. Chester is just standing around, useless like usual. A few minutes later, Pitt (Wilke), and Curtis come back and threaten to kill Doc and Chester. Chester quickly pulls out his rifle and tells them to leave. But as often happens, Chester stops paying attention to the villains (Wilke & Curtis), and is just standing next to Doc goofing off when Wilke starts shooting at them, and Doc gets shot.
Once again, Chester's incompetence leads to somebody getting injured or killed. In this case both. As a result of Doc being shot, he cannot continue tending to Brown, so he dies. At that point Doc tells Chester that he has to take out the bullet and sew him up, or Doc will die too.
While it is Chester that has to rise up to the occasion in order to fix the problems he created, the true star is Doc Adams, who remains in charge and tells Chester what to do, in spite of getting shot in the guts.
This episode is rough. Wilke and Curtis just ride into the story to create a threat, but they are good actors who are wasted here. The story features Chester crying and praying for Doc, and that is very touching.
Like usual, the writer, John Meston, had to add some bizarre and macabre detail that is supposed to show how harsh the West is. Did Chester really need to kill a horse to make broth for Doc? Did we need to know that? Chester had a couple of rifles, so why didn't Chester go hunt for some of that famous prairie chicken (grouse), or rabbits, or anything else? When they pack up to leave, Chester carries a pretty big picnic basket and a medium sized kettle to the buggy. Who ate all the food in the picnic basket?
Curtis and Matt too bossy
cartjos11 May 2017
To be honest only caught the tail end, but two things stand out. First, what a terrific actor Ken Curtis is. Prior to Festus he was in several episodes playing a wide range of characters very well. It took me a second to realize it was him all tied up and he definitely was acting unFestus like. The other thing is Chester had things under control and was getting the horse(s) ready before dispatching one of the bad guys. He sees Matt and calls to him and while Matt is talking to Doc tells Chester to hitch up the horse(s). Matt, Chester was already doing that and probably would have continued without your need to be in control.
It Hurts Like Blue Blazes
StrictlyConfidential3 December 2020
(*Doc Adams quote*) - "How in the thunder did this happen?"
Doc Adams and Chester are out in the wide open country (in a horse-drawn carriage) heading back to Dodge. Out of the blue they find themselves in a life-threatening situation where they must deal with 2 white-trash hunters who are definitely an unreasonable pair.
Doc Adams and Chester are out in the wide open country (in a horse-drawn carriage) heading back to Dodge. Out of the blue they find themselves in a life-threatening situation where they must deal with 2 white-trash hunters who are definitely an unreasonable pair.
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