Review of Branded

One problem with this series, in my opinion, is that there was never a real detailed explanation of what occurred at "Bitter Creek". It was briefly mentioned that McCord's unit was under the command of a General Reed, who apparently was senile. When the attack began Reed was relieved of command by Jason McCord but it was too late and the entire unit was massacred . However throughout the two seasons the show aired, there was never an explanation why McCord was discovered miles away from the scene of the battle and why he never offered a defense at his court martial. Like "The Fugitive" Branded should have offered a series finale. For example the discovery of another survivor of "Bitter Creek" who could have cleared McCord of the charges that resulted in him being cashiered out of the Army.

Another problem, which is not Chuck Conner's fault, is that he was in the minds of many TV viewers, he was still Lucas McCain, the Rifleman. Once an actor is stereotyped it is difficult to shake that role.