**SPOILERS** It will be mercifully short. As far as acting goes, it is what saved this episode. What would have doomed it was the fact that the townspeople were only too happy to watch an already beaten-down man get half killed by a psychopathic maniac. IN REALITY, the townspeople would have had him thrown right back on the stage and run right back out of town. Why, you ask? For the common good and safety of the citizens. That's the general reason towns like Dodge had "Vigilance Committees". When they got a little older, they got town Marshals, Sheriffs Departments, and Police Forces. The main reason for this was women and children; Dodge and cow-towns like it got civilized. When Matt K.O.ed Keeler, he did it just about the way old Wyatt Earp would have done it; it was called being Buffaloed. It saved many a drunk, stupid cowboy's life.
For their parts, I have to give Chuck Connors, as well as Royal Dano top marks. Both great actors playing tough roles. Chuck's role here, is a precursor to the role of Buck Hannassey in "The BIG COUNTRY". Buck, although a no-count bully, coward, and generally useless creep, is a shadow next to the plum-crazy Keeler. Both of these fine actors played numerous roles of all kinds in their careers, and we owe them a debt of thanks for their talent and work. Other minor players (uncredited) did yeoman work supporting the episode, and it is this collective spirit and "in the trenches" sweat that makes this story work. Thanks to S.A.G. for the deep bench of talent that's entertained us for so long.
For their parts, I have to give Chuck Connors, as well as Royal Dano top marks. Both great actors playing tough roles. Chuck's role here, is a precursor to the role of Buck Hannassey in "The BIG COUNTRY". Buck, although a no-count bully, coward, and generally useless creep, is a shadow next to the plum-crazy Keeler. Both of these fine actors played numerous roles of all kinds in their careers, and we owe them a debt of thanks for their talent and work. Other minor players (uncredited) did yeoman work supporting the episode, and it is this collective spirit and "in the trenches" sweat that makes this story work. Thanks to S.A.G. for the deep bench of talent that's entertained us for so long.