Ep 1. Crack-Up

In season 3 episode 1 of Gunsmoke titled "Crack-Up," Marshal Matt Dillon is faced with a difficult case when a young woman named Ellen comes to him for help. Ellen is searching for her father, who she says has gone missing for several days. Despite Matt's initial reluctance to get involved in what he views as a familial matter, he agrees to help Ellen search for her father.

Meanwhile, a group of bank robbers is terrorizing the town of Dodge and the surrounding areas. Matt and his deputies are busy trying to track down the robbers, but their efforts are complicated by the fact that one of the robbers has a personal grudge against Matt.

As Matt and Ellen continue their search for her father, they encounter various townspeople who provide clues and assistance in their search. However, as they get closer to finding Ellen's father, they begin to suspect that he may have been involved in the bank robberies.

The tension builds as the two storylines converge, with Matt and his deputies closing in on the robbers while also struggling to resolve the mystery of Ellen's missing father. In the end, Matt is forced to make a tough decision about how to bring the bank robbers to justice and determine the truth about Ellen's father.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to the classic gun-slinging action and tense drama that have become synonymous with Gunsmoke. The show's talented cast, including James Arness as Marshal Dillon and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty, deliver compelling performances that keep viewers engaged until the nail-biting conclusion.

Overall, season 3 episode 1 of Gunsmoke is a must-watch for fans of classic Westerns and crime dramas. With its well-crafted plot, strong character development, and thrilling action sequences, it is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.