Ep 18. Kick Me

In Gunsmoke's season 2 episode 18 titled "Kick Me," Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself in a difficult situation when he is forced to confront a group of teenage boys who are causing trouble in Dodge City.

The trouble starts when a group of boys come to town looking for a good time. They begin by barging into the Long Branch Saloon and causing a ruckus. When Matt tries to stop them, they turn on him and challenge him to a fight. Matt manages to subdue them, but the boys don't take kindly to their defeat and vow to make him pay.

As the boys continue to cause trouble around town, Matt realizes that they are looking for revenge. When one of the boys asks Matt to take his picture, the marshal obliges, not realizing that the boy has pasted a "kick me" sign on his back. The townspeople take delight in seeing Matt humiliated and begin to question his authority.

Matt's troubles escalate when the boys steal a cow from a neighboring ranch. When Matt confronts them, they claim that the cow was a gift from the rancher. Matt investigates and discovers that the rancher was actually forced to give the cow away under threat of violence.

Matt decides to take matters into his own hands and confronts the ringleader of the group, a boy named Billy. Billy challenges Matt to a one-on-one fight, and Matt reluctantly agrees. In the showdown, Matt emerges victorious and gains the respect of both the boys and the townspeople.

Throughout the episode, "Kick Me" explores themes of authority, responsibility, and the consequences of one's actions. Matt must navigate the complex social dynamics of Dodge City while maintaining his role as the town's protector. The episode also examines the nature of power and how it can be used for both good and bad.

Overall, "Kick Me" is an engaging episode that showcases the strengths of Gunsmoke as a series. With its strong characters, complex themes, and suspenseful plot, it remains a standout episode in the show's long history.