The outlaw "Jamison Gang", led by Donnelly Rhodes (as Bob), sends Bruce Dern (as Durkee) to scout out for Laredo's Rangers. They rightly fear the Rangers will interfere with their plans to pick up a wealth of silver, buried under a farm. Instead of scouting, Mr. Dern turns informer. Rangers Reese (Neville Brand), Chad (Peter Brown), and Joe (William Smith) are sent out, by Parmalee (Philip Carey), to confront the Jamison Gang. Along the way, the meet widow Julie Harris (as Annamay), who also wants to claim the silver-enhanced farm
Ms. Harris is a charming guest star, working very well with Mr. Brand; in fact, the entire guest cast is exceptional.
This episode, which aired fourth in the first season, should have been the series premiere. It features an abundance of the series' hallmarks: humor and action. And, the characterization either lacking or ill-chosen in earlier episodes begins to form. Reese is noted to have "led on" two women, with undelivered promises of marriage; this figures, later, into the plot, and conveys the "rule" about the Rangers remaining single. The most interesting bit of characterization occurs when, early in the episode, Chad's lady-killing reputation is confirmed; skirting the network censors, Brown is discreetly shown being interrupted during a sexual encounter.
***** Rendezvous at Arillo (10/7/65) Harvey Hart ~ Neville Brand, Julie Harris, Peter Brown