Tom and Pene Lynott are out on a buggy ride when they hear gunshots in the distance. Tom rides toward the shooting and finds out that Marshal Dillon has been injured by three unknown shooters. Tom is able to take the three men and also help Matt get back to Dodge for medical help by Dr Chapman. With Matt going to be out of service for a period of time, Matt believes that his old friend Tom Lynott would make a great temporary Marshal for the citizens of Dodge.
Tom has a different way of enforce the law than Matt Dillon. In fact his enforcement of the law means not putting anyone in jail even violent crimes. When a man is stabbed and Festus has the accused at gunpoint, Temp Marshal Lynott lets the man go.
With Matt laid up in bed, he has no idea that Dodge is being turned into a lawless town. When all of Tom's alcoholic friends come into Dodge it will be only a matter of time before his friends force his hand.
This was a better show that expected but did have a little difficult time of wondering why Lynott was chosen temporary Marshal instead of Festus or Newly- but the show did play well. The acting was good and the story interesting. A good watch for all.