Ep 22. Tap Day for Kitty

Tap Day for Kitty is the twenty-second episode in season one of the iconic Western series, Gunsmoke. Set in the late 19th century, the show takes place in the fictional town of Dodge City, Kansas, and follows the adventures of Marshal Matt Dillon and his team as they tackle dangerous criminals and uphold the law in the Wild West.

In this episode, the focus is on Miss Kitty Russell, the proprietor of the Long Branch saloon and a beloved member of the community. As the title suggests, it's "tap day" in Dodge City, which means that the local Longhorners, an exclusive club of cowboys, are in town to celebrate and choose a new queen to lead their parade. The tradition is controversial in many ways, as the club is known for its rowdy behavior and questionable activities, and some locals believe that it encourages lawlessness and corruption.

Kitty, however, sees Tap Day as an opportunity to bring in extra business and boost the economy of Dodge City. She's also flattered to be nominated as a candidate for queen, despite her reservations about the Longhorners and their treatment of women. Nevertheless, she agrees to participate and invites all her friends and patrons to attend the festivities, which include a rodeo, a dance, and a beauty contest.

As the day goes on, tensions start to mount between the Longhorners and the other citizens of Dodge City. Matt Dillon, who is initially skeptical of the whole affair, becomes increasingly concerned about the potential for violence and clashes with the Longhorners' leader, a brash and arrogant cowboy named Frank Cassidy. Matt warns Frank to keep his men under control and not cause trouble, but Frank brushes him off and continues to revel in the attention and adoration of his fellow cowboys.

Meanwhile, Kitty finds herself caught in the middle of the conflicting interests and allegiances of the Longhorners and the townsfolk. She's torn between her desire to please her customers and support the local businesses and her sense of responsibility to maintain order and respectability in her establishment. In one touching scene, she confides in Matt about her doubts and fears, and he reassures her that he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe and ensure that justice is served.

As the night wears on, the tension reaches a boiling point when a group of Longhorners gets into a drunken brawl with a couple of local farmers. Guns are drawn, fists fly, and chaos ensues. Matt and his deputies rush to the scene and try to break up the fight, but their efforts are in vain as the Longhorners refuse to back down. In the midst of the melee, Kitty is kidnapped by Frank Cassidy and taken away to be crowned queen of the Longhorners.

The rest of the episode focuses on Matt's efforts to rescue Kitty and bring the Longhorners to justice. He and his colleagues track down the Longhorners and engage them in a fierce gunfight, which results in several injuries and casualties on both sides. In a dramatic finale, Matt confronts Frank Cassidy and forces him to release Kitty and turn himself in to the authorities.

Overall, Tap Day for Kitty is a thrilling and poignant episode that showcases the strengths of Gunsmoke as a Western drama. It explores complex themes of gender, power, tradition, and justice, and brings to life a vivid and colorful cast of characters. It also demonstrates the bravery, skill, and humanity of Matt Dillon, who stands as a symbol of the law and order that make Dodge City a safer and better place to live. Whether you're a fan of classic Westerns or just looking for an engaging and thought-provoking story, this episode is a must-watch.