Ep 23. Sweet and Sour

Marshal Matt Dillon is back on the trail in "Sweet and Sour," the 23rd episode of the second season of Gunsmoke. Set in Dodge City during the late 19th century, the CBS Western series stars James Arness as Dillon, the gun-toting lawman whose job it is to keep the town safe from bandits, outlaws and other dangerous types. In this episode, Dillon has his hands full with a pair of feuding Chinese restaurant owners who are at each other's throats over a fortune in stolen gold.

The episode begins with the arrival of a new Chinese restaurant in Dodge City. The Golden Dragon, run by Wong Ti and his daughter Kim, is an instant success with the locals, who flock to the eatery for its exotic food and decor. However, trouble soon brews when a rival Chinese restaurant, the Jade Palace, accuses Wong Ti of stealing a fortune in gold that was meant for them. The Jade Palace's owner, Lee Chang, demands that Wong Ti hand over the gold or face the consequences.

Dillon, who has been trying to keep the peace between the two restaurants, is drawn into the dispute when Wong Ti asks for his help in proving his innocence. Dillon agrees to take the case and begins by investigating the robbery. His first lead comes from a witness who claims to have seen a man wearing a green coat leaving the Jade Palace on the night of the theft. Dillon tracks down the man, a drifter named Ned, who claims that he was hired by Lee Chang to steal the gold and frame Wong Ti.

With this information in hand, Dillon sets out to confront Lee Chang, but finds himself caught in the middle of a full-scale war between the two restaurants. The rivalry between them reaches a boiling point when Lee Chang's henchmen attack the Golden Dragon, setting fire to the building and injuring several people. Dillon manages to rescue Wong Ti and his daughter, but the damage is done, and the feud between the two restaurants seems irreparable.

Despite the setback, Dillon is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore order to Dodge City. He devises a plan to trap Lee Chang and his gang by using the stolen gold as bait. The plan works, and Dillon and his deputies are able to apprehend Lee Chang and his men, including Ned, who confesses to the robbery. With the culprits in custody, Dillon is able to clear Wong Ti's name and restore peace to the town.

"Sweet and Sour" is a classic episode of Gunsmoke that showcases the show's trademark mix of action, drama and suspense. The episode's storyline is a clever twist on the classic whodunit mystery, with Dillon playing the role of detective as he tries to unravel the truth behind the robbery. The tensions between the two Chinese restaurants provide a colorful backdrop to the action, and the show's attention to detail in capturing the atmosphere of the Old West adds to the authenticity of the episode.

As always, James Arness delivers a strong performance as Dillon, and his ability to convey the character's sense of duty and moral conflict is at the heart of what makes the show such a success. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Pat Hingle as Lee Chang and Soo Yong as Wong Ti's daughter both standing out in their roles.

Overall, "Sweet and Sour" is an entertaining and engaging episode of Gunsmoke that will appeal to fans of classic Westerns. Its clever plot, engaging characters and brisk pacing make it a standout installment in the series, and a great example of why the show remains a beloved classic to this day.