Ben C. Slocum is an aging mountain man who has lived his whole life on his own terms and by his own rules. He and his dog Dooley ride into Dodge City to visit Matt Dillon, who is an old friend. Slocum stops at the Long Branch Saloon, shares a bottle of whiskey with Louie Pheeters, and asks Louie to let Marshal Dillon know Ben C. Slocum wants to see him.
Meanwhile, John Riker invites Slocum to play cards. Slocum refuses because he knows Riker is cheating and tells him so. Riker draws his gun, but Slocum starts laughing. The laugh is infectious, and soon everyone inside the saloon, including Riker is laughing, too. As Riker returns his pistol to his holster, Slocum throws the young man across a table to the floor. Just as Matt Dillon walks into the Long Branch, Riker draws his pistol again, and Matt shoots and kills him.
This incident presents a problem for the Marshal, as the Riker family -- the father Noah and his sons Luke, Mark, Paul, and Peter -- are newcomers to the Dodge City area and have a reputation for causing trouble. The patriarch of the family enjoys quoting -- and often mis-quoting -- the Bible. For example, Noah justifies stealing cattle from nearby ranchers as morally acceptable because he contends" the good book" says, "the Lord helps those that help themselves." Of course, there is no such phrase found in the Bible, but that does not deter the elder Riker.
Marshal Dillon wisely discerns it would be best if he does not wait for the Rikers to come into town looking for John, especially while Slocum is present. He decides to take John's body to the Riker farm. Slocum wants to accompany Matt, but the Marshal knows allowing Slocum to come along is a recipe for disaster.
Matt returns the body to the farm. The brothers immediately want to kill the Marshal to avenge their brother, but the father stops them. After Matt is allowed to leave, Noah tells his sons there was someone watching them from a ridge above the farm. The observer is Ben C. Slocum, of course.
When the Rikers start their journey to Dodge City with the intention of exacting revenge for John's death, Slocum intercepts them. Noah and Paul Riker, who is mentally challenged, are injured. Noah accuses Slocum of attempted murder. Their injuries are not critical, and Doc Adams is able to help him.
Now Matt must arrest Slocum so he can stand trial for the attack on the Rikers. Matt finds Slocum outside Dodge, but the remaining Riker brothers are intent to carrying out their own brand of justice against the pair.
Will the Rikers prevail? Will Slocum be willing to let Matt bring him in for a trial? If found guilty, will Slocum go to prison? What will happen to Dooley?
Will Geer is the star of this episode, as he is most convincing in the Ben C. Slocum role. Geer was a fascinating person with quite an intriguing background. He was a close friend to Woody Guthrie. He was an outspoken social activist and was even blacklisted at one point. He and Harry Hay, the gay rights activist, were lovers at one point. (I have always thought it is interesting that the couple that played the grandparents on The Waltons were both rumored to be gay or bisexual.)
The renowned character actor Dub Taylor is every bit Geer's equal in acting. Taylor, who was Buck Taylor's father, plays the Bible-toting Noah Riker. The brothers are all played by actors that were noted for smaller dramatic roles. Ross Hagen is Luke. James Wainwright is Mark, and Lee Lambert is Paul. This is Wainwright's and Lambert's only Gunsmoke appearance. Mills Watson, who had recently appeared in the "Lyle's Kid" episode, is Peter.
Although this story does use a theme that had been used previously in the series -- a loner who is an old friend of Matt Dillon's creates a situation where Matt's law enforcement duties conflict with the friendship -- there are enough differences from similar past stories to keep this episode interesting. The resolution is a bit odd and something of a surprise, although it makes sense under the circumstances.
Meanwhile, John Riker invites Slocum to play cards. Slocum refuses because he knows Riker is cheating and tells him so. Riker draws his gun, but Slocum starts laughing. The laugh is infectious, and soon everyone inside the saloon, including Riker is laughing, too. As Riker returns his pistol to his holster, Slocum throws the young man across a table to the floor. Just as Matt Dillon walks into the Long Branch, Riker draws his pistol again, and Matt shoots and kills him.
This incident presents a problem for the Marshal, as the Riker family -- the father Noah and his sons Luke, Mark, Paul, and Peter -- are newcomers to the Dodge City area and have a reputation for causing trouble. The patriarch of the family enjoys quoting -- and often mis-quoting -- the Bible. For example, Noah justifies stealing cattle from nearby ranchers as morally acceptable because he contends" the good book" says, "the Lord helps those that help themselves." Of course, there is no such phrase found in the Bible, but that does not deter the elder Riker.
Marshal Dillon wisely discerns it would be best if he does not wait for the Rikers to come into town looking for John, especially while Slocum is present. He decides to take John's body to the Riker farm. Slocum wants to accompany Matt, but the Marshal knows allowing Slocum to come along is a recipe for disaster.
Matt returns the body to the farm. The brothers immediately want to kill the Marshal to avenge their brother, but the father stops them. After Matt is allowed to leave, Noah tells his sons there was someone watching them from a ridge above the farm. The observer is Ben C. Slocum, of course.
When the Rikers start their journey to Dodge City with the intention of exacting revenge for John's death, Slocum intercepts them. Noah and Paul Riker, who is mentally challenged, are injured. Noah accuses Slocum of attempted murder. Their injuries are not critical, and Doc Adams is able to help him.
Now Matt must arrest Slocum so he can stand trial for the attack on the Rikers. Matt finds Slocum outside Dodge, but the remaining Riker brothers are intent to carrying out their own brand of justice against the pair.
Will the Rikers prevail? Will Slocum be willing to let Matt bring him in for a trial? If found guilty, will Slocum go to prison? What will happen to Dooley?
Will Geer is the star of this episode, as he is most convincing in the Ben C. Slocum role. Geer was a fascinating person with quite an intriguing background. He was a close friend to Woody Guthrie. He was an outspoken social activist and was even blacklisted at one point. He and Harry Hay, the gay rights activist, were lovers at one point. (I have always thought it is interesting that the couple that played the grandparents on The Waltons were both rumored to be gay or bisexual.)
The renowned character actor Dub Taylor is every bit Geer's equal in acting. Taylor, who was Buck Taylor's father, plays the Bible-toting Noah Riker. The brothers are all played by actors that were noted for smaller dramatic roles. Ross Hagen is Luke. James Wainwright is Mark, and Lee Lambert is Paul. This is Wainwright's and Lambert's only Gunsmoke appearance. Mills Watson, who had recently appeared in the "Lyle's Kid" episode, is Peter.
Although this story does use a theme that had been used previously in the series -- a loner who is an old friend of Matt Dillon's creates a situation where Matt's law enforcement duties conflict with the friendship -- there are enough differences from similar past stories to keep this episode interesting. The resolution is a bit odd and something of a surprise, although it makes sense under the circumstances.
