Ep 12. How to Kill a Woman

In the twelfth episode of the third season of Gunsmoke, titled "How to Kill a Woman," tensions rise in Dodge City when a spurned lover seeks revenge on Kitty, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon.

The episode begins with a group of cowboys, including Kitty's former lover Jeff, playing a game of cards at the Long Branch Saloon. Jeff becomes increasingly jealous of the attention other men are paying to Kitty, and his jealousy turns to rage when she rebuffs his advances.

As the night wears on, Jeff becomes angrier and more violent, culminating in a physical altercation with another patron. The marshal, Matt Dillon, intervenes and orders Jeff to leave the saloon.

The next day, Jeff returns to the Long Branch Saloon with a plan for revenge. He enlists the help of a notorious gunfighter, Frank Gunnison, in an attempt to kill Kitty.

Meanwhile, Matt becomes suspicious of Jeff's intentions and begins to investigate his past. He discovers that Jeff has a history of violence and has been involved in several altercations with women.

As the tension mounts, Kitty begins to sense that she is in danger. She takes steps to protect herself, including arming herself with a revolver.

The climactic showdown takes place when Jeff and Gunnison confront Kitty at the Long Branch Saloon. With the help of Matt and other local lawmen, Kitty is able to fend off the attackers and save her own life.

The episode concludes with Matt and Kitty reflecting on the events of the previous days, and the dangers that women face in the lawless frontier of Dodge City.

"How to Kill a Woman" is a tense and dramatic episode of Gunsmoke, exploring themes of gender-based violence and the struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. The episode features strong performances from the cast, particularly Amanda Blake as Kitty and James Coburn as the villainous Frank Gunnison.