Ep 14. Cholera

Marshal Matt Dillon and the rest of the residents of Dodge City are faced with a deadly outbreak of cholera in season 2 episode 14 of the classic Western series, Gunsmoke. As the disease spreads rapidly throughout the town, tensions rise and emotions run high as everyone struggles to deal with the situation.

The episode begins as Matt Dillon receives a telegram informing him that a severe outbreak of cholera has hit a nearby town and that he should take precautions to prevent it from spreading to Dodge. Matt immediately orders all incoming wagon trains to be inspected for signs of illness, but it soon becomes apparent that his efforts may not be enough to stop the disease.

Despite their best efforts, several people in Dodge City soon fall ill with cholera, including Doc Adams, who was exposed to the disease while traveling to the neighboring town to help with the outbreak. As the situation worsens, Matt realizes that he needs to take stronger measures to prevent the disease from spreading further.

In a tense scene, Matt and several other residents of Dodge City attempt to quarantine a wagon train filled with people who may have been exposed to cholera. However, the situation quickly turns violent as the passengers refuse to be confined and a gunfight breaks out. Though no one is killed, the incident adds to the already high level of tension in the town.

As the outbreak continues to rage on, Matt and the other residents of Dodge City struggle to keep the peace and maintain order. With the town's resources stretched thin and tempers running high, it becomes increasingly difficult to prevent the spread of the disease and keep everyone safe.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the episode also features moments of warmth and humanity as individuals come together to care for those who have fallen ill. Festus, for example, takes on the role of nursemaid to a young boy who is stricken with the disease, while others work together to provide food and comfort to the sick and dying.

Throughout the episode, Gunsmoke grapples with the difficulty of dealing with a deadly outbreak in a time before modern medicine. With no antibiotics or vaccines available, the people of Dodge City are forced to rely on traditional remedies and the strength of their own bodies to fight off the disease. In doing so, they confront the fragility of life and the importance of community in times of crisis.

Cholera is a powerful and poignant episode of Gunsmoke, one that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience – life, death, and the struggle to survive in the face of overwhelming circumstances. As the season 2 episode draws to a close, viewers are left with a sense of awe and respect for the strength and resilience of the people who lived in the Wild West, and a deep appreciation for the connections that bind us all together, even in the face of the most trying of circumstances.