There's plenty to wonder about in this show, including the way in which Dillon handles potentially violent confrontations.
Seems to me that..in these early episodes at least.... Matt often had a very short fuse and was prone to threatening violence with very little provocation. Here, though, the plot requires that he take an easy-going, almost passive stance when facing confrontation. We all expect, of course, that Herbert Rudley is the typical "by-the-book" disciplinarian, and will see the error of his ways by the end. But that's not QUITE the way things happen here, which is why this show is rather unique.
I've always like Rudley, who projects a solid, authoritarian presence in his first scene in the stable. BUY HERE'S MY QUESTION: Why did the script set him up as the kind of guy who could immediately turn the drunk, violent blacksmith into a purring kittey just by walking into the place and issuing an order?? He obviously projects a no-nonsense kind of authority.
WHY, THEN...in his subsequent scenes of confrontation....even wearing a BADGE...did the thugs ignore, mock and threaten him, thus necessitating Matt to save the day? That final scene in the bar was well-written and staged, but CONFUSING AS HECK when compared to the opening stable scene. It's as if Meston changed his mind midway through the script, but the opening scene had already been filmed.
Anyway, it's still a good show. Anyone who has any thoughts on my question, send 'em along; maybe I missed something. LR.