Ep 30. The Preacher

Marshal Matt Dillon is faced with a new challenge in the bustling cattle town of Dodge City, as a preacher named Reverend Blackwood begins to stir up trouble. Many of the townsfolk, including Doc Adams and deputy Chester Goode are taken in by his passionate preaching, but Dillon remains skeptical. As the Reverend gains more influence, Dillon becomes increasingly concerned about his true motivations, especially when a group of his followers begin to wreak havoc in town.

The episode begins with Reverend Blackwood, played by guest star Claude Akins, arriving in Dodge City. He quickly makes an impression on the locals, preaching in the streets and drawing large crowds to his sermons. Doc Adams is particularly taken with Blackwood's message of hope and redemption, while Chester is impressed with his commanding presence.

However, Dillon is immediately suspicious of the charismatic preacher. He has seen too many con artists come through town, taking advantage of the vulnerable and gullible. Dillon decides to keep a close eye on Blackwood and his followers, especially when he begins to notice some of their more aggressive behavior.

As the episode progresses, tensions escalate between Blackwood's followers and the other residents of Dodge City. Some of the townsfolk begin to blame Blackwood for the increase in violence, and Dillon tries to convince them to remain calm and not start a riot.

Meanwhile, Blackwood continues to preach his message of repentance and salvation, but Dillon remains unconvinced. He believes that the preacher is up to no good, and sets out to uncover the truth about his past.

As the plot thickens, the tension between Blackwood and Dillon reaches a boiling point, and the episode ends with a dramatic confrontation between the two men. We won't give away any spoilers, but suffice it to say that there are plenty of twists and turns in this exciting episode of Gunsmoke.

Overall, "The Preacher" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores the nature of faith, deception, and redemption. With strong performances from both the regular cast and guest star Claude Akins, this early episode of Gunsmoke is sure to entertain fans of the classic western series.