User Reviews

This episode was a good opportunity to show Matt Dillon's easy-going, matured, philosophical side (James Arness was still just shy of 40 when this was screened in early 1963) as the one-time big brother figure of an intelligent, thinking man's stagecoach bandit who is deeply resentful of how 17-year-old Matt treated him as a 10-year-old little kid back in Texas. It was a rare showcase too for the thoughtful screen presence of tall, dark and handsome Michael Forest (later seen convincingly personifying a Greek God come to life in the original "Star Trek" series, c.1967). The to-ing and fro-ing of the development of their renewed relationship is very well handled, the younger man laid up in Dodge from breaking his leg saving an old lady driving a runaway carriage. He has time to mull things over while supposed to be planning his gang's next big job at Matt's expense. "Gunsmoke" was almost on its own among tv westerns in presenting demanding leading roles for under-appreciated talents to shine, as it had done for Ben Cooper a little earlier in the series, as well as Anthony Caruso, Mariette Hartley and others. A couple of niggles: The talented Gloria Talbott, now all of 30 or so and nicely matured from her days in the fifties as a sex kitten, is sadly under-utilised here as a prairie gang moll. Her very brief showing (maybe edited and mostly left on the cutting room floor) nagged as a missed chance, given her fulsome, satisfying appearance torn between two wooers the year before. Somewhat misused too is rangy John Anderson, though with more screen time, playing against type as the dumber one of Michael Forest's underlings.

Chance Hopper is a drifter who has decided crime does pay. Despite the fact that he has spent some time in prison, he hasn't learned from the mistakes of his past. As he and his partners drift into Kansas looking for robbery opportunities, Chance hears stories about Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City. It just so happens Chance grew up on the same ranch as Matt. Matt is seven years older, and they have not seen each other since Matt was 17 and Chance was 10.

Chance decides to go to Dodge and visit Matt. He intends to pay a quick visit, but the situation changes when Chance breaks his leg while helping an elderly woman with an out-of-control wagon.

For some reason, Chance developed a sort of low-simmering hatred for Matt over the years. It makes one wonder what could have happened between the two in their younger years to trigger the bad feelings. There are small hints dropped throughout the episode. Matt makes a few comments about being an arrogant teen, and Chance drops occasional hints about Matt being someone that could never do anything wrong. Did Matt bully Chance when they were kids? After all, Matt called him "runt" at that time. Maybe the people that raised Matt and Chance compared the two frequently, and Chance resents that he has not lived up to the do-no-wrong image Matt has developed. Chance clearly views Matt as some kind of mythical symbol of perfection, and he has some kind of desire to prove he is better in some regard. Matt even tries to tell Chance that he (Matt) is "just a man."

We never really learn the full cause of Chance's bitterness, but it wanes over the course of the story, which is the strangest aspect of this episode. Ultimately, it is difficult to see Chance as much of a "bad guy." He repeatedly helps others, and he comes across as likable and friendly to Chester, Kitty, and Doc.

I think this episode is more about providing a glimpse into Matt's past, which was always a bit mysterious. I would like to have seen Chance return on occasion and to see his relationship with Matt develop. So much of the story is spent getting to know Chance, and then it just abruptly ends. This episode begs for a "part two" or a sequel.

As is often the case on Gunsmoke, the casting is excellent. Michael Forest might be a little *too* likable as Chance. John Anderson, who played countless roles in television westerns, usually as a bad guy, is one of Chance's partners, and Joseph Perry, another familiar face, is the other. Gloria Talbott has a key role as Hallie. Hallie is another character that seems underdeveloped here. Hallie's eagerness to abet the plans of Chance and his partners is intriguing.

In the end, this is not a bad episode, but it leaves the viewer wanting more. It is a rare case of a one-hour episode that needed more.

A comment on the previous episode ("The Bad One") cites Kathleen Hite's often-excellent writing for "Gunsmoke"; I agree, especially with outstanding shows like Season 7's "Long, Long Trail" and "Apprentice Doc" to her credit. But she was only human, as scripts like "Root Down" and "My Sister's Keeper" indicate.

"The Cousin", while containing much agreeable interaction between Matt and Michael Forrest (is he ever referred to as Matt's "COUSIN"? Maybe I missed it), is nevertheless weak and ineffectual in its development and final resolution. Something essential is missing from the script, as if Ms. Hite didn't have time to really flesh it out, tighten it up and pull things together for a convincing resolution.

{Another commentator here says the show begins with Chance breaking up a brawl in the Long Branch. But that must have been a chopped-up syndication print, missing the initial plot set-up between Chance and his pals).

With a disappointing script, little irritants become more annoying: John Anderson's tendency to overdo his mannerisms and Gloria Talbott's mid-60's babe with the huge eye-lashes look---playing a character that is ALSO under-developed (script-wise, that is....) and rather pointless, only magnify the problems of this one.

Still, the scenes with Arness and Forrest are very good, as we gain more insight into Matt's somewhat remote and inscrutable character. LR

The title of this episode is "The Cousin". Why, I don't know. It opens with a barroom brawl being settled by handsome, charmer Michael Forest. This is investigated by Matt, who at first doesn't recognize his "foster-brother", seven years his junior. This entire episode is about their relationship, which is very cloudy. When Kitty asks Matt if Chance is a friend of his, he answers "I don't know." Tight-lipped, even for Matt. They haven't seen each other since Matt was seventeen and Chance only 10 and Matt Dillon rode off into the great Western unknown, leaving little Chance behind. The teleplay is devoted to the psychological development of the two main characters, with Forest getting as much screen time as star, Arness! Now, Michael Forest is 6'3" and well-over 210 lbs, but he looks a lot smaller than the towering Matt Dillon. (You may remember his star-turn as tragic Greek-god Apollo in the original StarTrek.) Another atypical twist to the writing in this episode is that Matt sends absolutely no one to permanent residence in boot hill though he has ample opportunity to. Little bro has thrown him off his game! Maybe he's still trying to impress the ten-year old boy he left behind. Naturally Chance had chosen a wild path and openly confesses to Matt that he has just gotten out of prison. What he doesn't confide is that his gang is waiting for him to head up another robbery outside of town. The reason we know all of this is because early in the action, he broke his leg and has to recuperate in Dodge. I really like this contribution to the series and will not divulge the surprise ending! Excellent supporting cast (John Anderson, Gloria Talbot and the Dodge denizens-Doc, Kitty and Chester) and well worth the watch! But don't look for it on Michael Forest page filmography. It's not there!

This is one of the shows that makes you mad when the episode ends. After being rather interesting the entire time- the ending leaves so much untold. It could have least closed the book on the relationship of cousins but it open more questions that it answered. Not a bad show but one that upset me with the sneaky quick ending.

Chance Hopper has just been released from prison for bank robbery and meets up with his old partners. Before they plan their next heist, Chance wants to go into Dodge. He has heard of Marshal Dillon and wants to see if all the great talk about the Marshal is true. And the reason he is so interested in Dillon is because they grew up together on the same farm. Matt was much larger and older than Chance and he wants to see why everyone is praising the Marshal.

While inside Dodge, Chance breaks up a fight at the Long Branch, gets to see what Matt has to put up with daily and even stops a runaway wagon which results in a broken leg for Chance. While the broken leg is healing, Chance gets to know the folks of Dodge and settles on liking the town. However he cannot forget his old friends that are planning a gold robbery from an approaching stagecoach.

With Matt having to protect the stage, Chance is elected to make sure the Marshal is kept away from the scene of the robbery. When they go riding out Chance knocks out Matt with a blow from one of his crutches. Now with Matt on the ground and his partners in position, Chance has to decide to continue the life of crime or change his life for the better. Either way he will have much explaining to do.

The only real remarkable thing is that we learn a small piece of Marshal Dillon's days as a youth. Other than that small tidbit the episode ended with many more questions than answers. Another entire episode should have been written clearing up the matter of Matt and Chance's relationship.