User Reviews

Greenhorn Harry Pope has just moved to the prairie from back east and wants to start a new life since the death of his wife. But living alone on the prairie is a new experience for the naive Harry Pope.

He tells Marshal Dillon that at night he is being visited by Indians and he is worried about their actions. Matt is suspicious about Pope's claim but tells him that if they are really Indians to get a rifle and defend himself.

One evening after being harassed again by the so-called Indians, Pope returns fire at them. Instead of an Indian it turns out to be a man named Joe Carter that ends up dying. Now Joe Carter's friends want revenge on the lonely greenhorn.

Philip Coolidge was perfectly cast as the mild and meek greenhorn Harry Pope that brought the aspect of a person that may be over-his-head living by himself on the prairie. His demeanor was a perfect fit for the story. Even though the ending may not be what the viewer wanted, it still was an episode that was entertaining to the end. Good watch.

Sad tale about a well meaning greenhorn who gets in a culture he doesnt understand. Suspenseful and a nice morality tale.

Pope (Coolidge) seems a mild-mannered, likable sort, maybe a little out of his depth living alone on the prairie. So why would Indians be spooking him, which he says is happening. But then a roughneck turns up dead. His buddies claim Pope did it, and Matt better arrest him or else. So what's going on here.

Actor Coolidge gets a sympathetic role, for a change. Usually, he's a creepy sort with his bald head and gravedigger's looks. I like the homely touches, like Pope slopping the pigs and scrubbing his clothes, the kind of frontier details usually passed over in a 30-minute time frame. Also, Chris Alcaide's tough guy Curry turns out to be nicely conceived and performed. All in all, it's a strong drama, though the who-did-what details seem murky at times. Nonetheless, it's another entry suggesting the '58 season was one of the series best.

One of THE BEST of all Gunsmoke episodes! A single man moves outside of dodge to start his own farm/ranch. In short order, some ranch-hands from a nearby ranch, decide they are gonna start pickin' on the "greenhorn".

First, they act like Indians, then start throw in' shots his way. He reports it to Matt and Chester ... who think it's just his imagination. They tell him to shoot back. He confides he hasn't had a gun since "the war". Several twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion make this a "can't miss" episode! I won't give away any details, but ... please take the time to watch this fine piece of writing and acting!

Definitely a "10" out of 10!