Ep 24. Cain

Marshal Matt Dillon continues to keep the peace in the town of Dodge City, Kansas during the wild west era. In season 2 episode 24, titled "Cain," Dillon is faced with the challenge of bringing a notorious outlaw to justice. The episode opens with a woman named Lulu being held up by two men on the prairie. Dillon and his deputy, Festus, come upon the scene and chase off the attackers. Lulu reveals that her husband has been killed by a man named Cain, and she wants the law to bring him to justice.

Dillon heads out to track down Cain and finds him holed up in a cabin with a few other outlaws. The Marshal tries to reason with Cain, telling him to surrender peacefully. Cain isn't interested in turning himself in and instead tries to engage Dillon in a gunfight. When that fails, he decides to sneak out of the cabin and head to Mexico.

Dillon pursues Cain with the help of a tracker named Quint. Along the way, they come upon a wagon train that has been raided by Cain and his gang. They speak to a survivor who describes Cain as a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

As the chase continues, Dillon and Quint get closer to catching Cain. They come upon a small town where Cain is holed up, planning his next move. Dillon breaks into the room where Cain is staying and confronts him, resulting in a brutal fistfight. Cain is eventually defeated and taken into custody.

Back in Dodge City, Cain stands trial for his crimes. The town is abuzz with the news of the notorious outlaw finally being brought to justice. Despite his attempts to plead innocent, Cain is found guilty and sentenced to hang.

The episode concludes with Dillon and his friends watching as Cain is led to the gallows. The outlaw shows no remorse for his actions, even as he takes his last breath. Dillon reflects on the events of the past few days and the difficulties of serving as a lawman in the wild west.

Overall, Gunsmoke season 2 episode 24 is a thrilling episode that showcases the dangers that Marshal Dillon and his deputies must face on a daily basis. The episode is well-written and features strong performances from the cast, particularly James Arness as Dillon and guest star Strother Martin as Cain. With its emphasis on action, drama, and moral values, "Cain" is a great example of what makes Gunsmoke such an enduring classic western series.