User Reviews

A note - it is possible the episode I saw has been edited. I do not recall any talk of glad-handing or possibly robbing the bank.

What I did see was an episode where there is a new marshal in town, and 'Micah' (Paul Fix) is feeling sorry for himself. He is tempted to go back to drinking.

It is made worse when the new marshal voids the arrest warrant of the person who Micah saw rob a stage. Since this is not enough to guarantee an acquittal, the marshal makes the alleged stage robber a deputy, to provoke a confrontation with Micah. They figure if they are able to take Micah out, there will be no witness left for the trial.

The heart of this episode is the scene in the barn, where Micah explains to Lucas and Mark that he has to face the alleged stage robber, who is reputed to be a fast draw. Can Micah survive the showdown? All he knows is he has to try, otherwise he will not be able to live with himself.

This is an excellent performance by Paul Fix. He really makes you feel Micah's dilemma, and his resolution to go through with the showdown.

About the ending, maybe it looked a little too pat, but it showed Micah's toughness, able to take out the bad guy even while wounded. And why would the new marshal even attempt to draw his gun when Lucas has his rifle pointed at him?

THE RIFLEMAN – The Day a Town Slept – 1962

This is the 139th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have just moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.

A nicely done episode with several neat little twists involved. Chuck Connors and son, Johnny Crawford, have been away from North Fork for several weeks. When they return they find that the town has a new Sheriff. There had been an election and new man in town, Lawrence Dobkin, had been busy glad handing and buying drinks for the voters. The tactic works and Dobkin is elected.

Paul Fix, now out of a job is somewhat at a loss as what he should do. He has been a lawman for his whole life. Doing nothing really does not sit well with him. Several days later, James Best, rides into town. Best is a wanted hold up man whom Fix had been trying to catch. Best says he is in town to turn himself in. Best claims he is innocent of the crime, it had been his brother that had been the crook. He just wants the matter straightened out.

The new Sheriff, Dobkin tears up the warrant and Best is cleared. Now the viewer finds out that Dobkin and Best are really in cahoots. They plan on hitting the local bank for a large withdrawal. Dobkin would then lead the posse in the wrong direction etc.

Fix smells something rotten in the cheese cupboard and does some digging. He enlists the help of Connors and they soon flush out the two lowlifes. Needless to say, guns are drawn, lead flies and Best and Dobkin end up suffering from a depleted blood count after the "discussion".