This episode turned out to be a heartwarming and at times a humorous tale of the relationship of Festus and Doc Adams. A relationship that we all knew was present but is hardly ever talked about in the series.
However the episode begins when a stage is held-up by three robbers. During the robbery one of the bandits gets shot in the leg before killing the shotgun man and wounding the driver. When the three make their get-away the one that is shot is slowing down the rest so the injured one is left behind as the other two make tracks north.
In Dodge the robbery is reported and the driver is taken up to Doc's office. Matt takes off after the bandits leaving Festus and Thad in charge. When the driver of the stage dies, Doc takes the death hard. Since he is to leave town to delivery Pearl Miller's baby, Kitty tells him to take his fishing pole. Doc does not want Festus to know where he is going.
On the way to the Miller's place, Doc is bit by a rattlesnake when he stops for some water and his horse and buggy is scared away. Doc is in the prairie with no help and no medical supplies.
Festus accidentally finds out where Doc was going and rides out to fish with him. On the way Festus finds Doc and will try everything possible to keep Doc from dying. But not before a run in with the injured bandit.
Meanwhile, Matt is on the trail of the two bandits which will lead him to an abandon farm. An all-out gun fire is expected as Matt tries to arrest the gunmen for the stage robbery and murder.
The story of the bandits was actually more of a secondary plot to the plot concerning Festus and Doc. This was a nice episode that showed that even though Festus and Doc had some rough moments- they cared for each other. If you are a fan of the 'Gunsmoke' character this will be an show you should watch.