My father is the author of this episode, and though I've tried to be objective, it could be slightly biased! Now if you like your serial television with a smattering of murder, rape, posh privilege, and false redemption, this episode is for you! The basic premise, was to fool a man about to be hanged, that he would actually escape. All so he would die "with a smile" on his face. And the set up was done by his father! The story of how "Dal" ends up in this end of life trauma, is possibly the strangest plot to ever hit Gunsmoke. You can read the storyline on IMDb, and see it has it's twists and turns, but I would encourage you to purchase a copy somewhere, as it has everything a western should have. Including Burt Reynolds, as the Native American, Quint.
And if you ask me, the story of Lottie Foy may be the saddest thing to hit American television. She deserves a prequel! Quite possibly a brilliant example of how we all deal with end of life issues, and the knowledge of our own mortality, this episode from season 8, should be submitted for a posthumous Emmy. But then again, my dad, Bud Furillo, was the author, so this review may be seasoned with a grain of salt.
And if you ask me, the story of Lottie Foy may be the saddest thing to hit American television. She deserves a prequel! Quite possibly a brilliant example of how we all deal with end of life issues, and the knowledge of our own mortality, this episode from season 8, should be submitted for a posthumous Emmy. But then again, my dad, Bud Furillo, was the author, so this review may be seasoned with a grain of salt.