Ep 16. Stagecoach Marty
- TV-14
- January 14, 1998
- 44 min
Dead Man's Gun is a western anthology series that explores the dark consequences of owning a cursed gun that brings death to anyone who possesses it. Season 1, episode 16, titled "Stagecoach Marty," centers on the character of Marty, a smooth-talking con artist who has a knack for getting out of trouble.
The episode begins with Marty aboard a stagecoach headed to the nearby town of Porter. He's been hired by a group of bandits to rob the stagecoach, and he plans to play both sides against each other to come out on top.
Marty is a fast-talking, quick-thinking gambler who seems to always have a card up his sleeve. As the stagecoach travels through the desert terrain, he casually chats up his fellow passengers, a young couple and a wealthy businessman. Marty's charm instantly makes the young wife swoon, much to the frustration of her husband.
But things quickly take a dangerous turn when the stagecoach is stopped by the bandits. Marty pretends to be a hapless victim, while the other passengers are robbed at gunpoint. In a daring move, Marty manages to take down one of the bandits and impresses the others with his bravado.
However, things become more complicated when the sheriff arrives and mistakes Marty for one of the robbers. As it turns out, the wealthy businessman had secretly hired Marty to stage the robbery so that he could collect the insurance money from the stolen goods.
Marty becomes embroiled in a complex web of lies and deceit as each of the passengers tries to save their own skin. The young couple reveals that they are actually on the run from the law, while the businessman threatens to turn Marty in unless he takes the blame for the robbery.
As tensions mount, Marty realizes that he's in over his head and decides to make a run for it. He leaves behind the cursed dead man's gun, hoping that it will spare him from the fate that has befallen so many others who have crossed its path.
Throughout the episode, the stunning landscapes of the western frontier serve as a backdrop for the action, conveying the harsh realities of life in the Wild West. The score also sets the mood perfectly, with haunting melodies and twangy guitar riffs underscoring the tension and suspense of the story.
"Stagecoach Marty" is a thrilling episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The character of Marty is endlessly entertaining as he weasels his way out of danger, and the various twists and turns in the story keep the audience guessing until the very end.