User Reviews

... as he has been noticeably absent during season eight of Gunsmoke, since Dennis Weaver wanted to go on to bigger and better things. A familiar story for Chester has been him falling in love with someone who turns out to either have ulterior motives, or actually love somebody else, or just wants to run off with what little money he has. At this point I'd think he'd be starting up the Dodge City chapter of the He Man Woman Haters Club ala the Our Gang comedies, but apparently, for Chester, romantic hope springs eternal.

This time it is a more subtle situation that creeps up on Chester. He is in the general store when a youngish widow woman comes in asking Mr. Jonas if she can set up a dress making shop within his store, but Jonas turns her down. Chester, being the kind soul that he is, finds a fixer upper rental for her instead, and offers to help her with the construction work that will be necessary to make the place shop ready. Initially, Chester seems to have more interest in the widow's little girl, and even her horse, than he does the widow herself. But after the two spend quite a bit of time together they come to an understanding - or pre engagement.

And apparently the widow's idea of an understanding is to run every aspect of Chester's life - how he dresses, where he goes, who his friends are, even how he speaks. Then the widow's little girl mentions that this was just how it was with her dad right before he - went away and did not come back?? So there was no actual death, no grave??? Complications ensue as Chester ultimately and surprisingly shows the wisdom of Solomon in this situation.

Lucy Damon and her daughter Jessica come into Dodge looking for a building to start up a dress shop. All indications is that Ms Damon is a widow woman with very little money that has move into Dodge after her husband's death. Chester meets up with the widow woman and is smitten with her and Jessica. He finds her a building that is in need or repair and fixes the place up for her. With Chester being seen regular with Lucy and then attending the monthly dance together it is not long until most of Dodge are wondering when an engagement date will be set between Chester and Lucy. The two say that both of them will have an 'understanding'.

But soon Chester learns that getting to know each other is sometime difficult. Lucy starts telling Chester how to dress and where he can go that does not set to well with Chester. Jessica tells Chester that when her father was around he use to let go fishing at Snake River to let off steam. Chester decides that is a good idea and takes off for Snake River.

When Chester makes the trip to the river he meets a drunk that is fishing. The man's name is Jess Damon the husband and father of Lucy and Jessica. Chester confronts Lucy about her lying about her husband's death. But it seems that Lucy considers him dead but the young Jessica still wants her daddy. Chester goes back out and fishes with Jess and talks him into returning to his family so that little Jessica with a father. But how will Chester feel with the reunion of the family when he will again be let alone?

Dennis Weaver is again excellent in this show as he again feels for another woman in town. The down-on-his-luck Chester will again place the good of other above himself and in so make for an good show for viewers to watch. This is an episode that will have the viewer entertained till the end. Good Watch

Note- The child Jessica Damon is played by the beautiful Morgan Brittany that in a years later will be of the series 'Dallas' fame.

I was struck how much Mary Carver resembled Patti Duke in this episode. They've had her fairly plainly made up but there was a resemblance! Enough that I looked her up! I realize this isn't a review but I couldn't where to place it that was appropriate and now I have to type 10 lines or the site won't post it. I have noticed over the years that there seems to be s stable of tried and true actors that seem to be reused from time to time. I give great credit to the producers and those responsible for casting assignments that the mix things up with actors and actresses so they play very different characters from one episode to the next. One episode a gentleman may be from the east and have no understanding of the west and be green as heck and the next time he's a grizzled cow hand with bank robbing on his mind. I particularly like the old B&W shows since that's my earliest memories of the show. It just had a different feel. Anyway, my two cents. Thanks

This was a boring episode in my opinion. It was so dull that it seemed to last longer than one hour. Another review on here states that the actress looked like Patty Duke. Absolutely NO WAY. She did not look like her at all. Perhaps because the actor who played the father on the "Patty Duke Show" was on this episode he had her on his mind. But trust me she looked nothing like her.