Ep 8. Born to Hang

In Gunsmoke season 3 episode 8, titled "Born to Hang," Marshal Matt Dillon finds himself in a difficult situation when a former outlaw, Will Mannon, comes to town seeking revenge against him. Mannon believes that Dillon was responsible for him being sent to prison years earlier, and he is determined to make the Marshal pay for it.

As the episode begins, Mannon arrives in Dodge City with a group of men and begins causing trouble in the local saloon. Dillon is alerted to the situation and arrives on the scene to try to diffuse things. However, Mannon is not interested in talking things out and instead challenges Dillon to a showdown.

Dillon knows that the situation is dangerous and tells Mannon that he will not draw his gun unless he is forced to. Mannon, however, is determined to kill Dillon and begins to provoke him. Eventually, it becomes clear that a gunfight is inevitable and the two men square off in the middle of the street.

The tension builds as the camera moves back and forth between the two men, who are standing only a few feet apart. Finally, Mannon makes his move and draws his gun. Dillon reacts quickly and fires his own weapon, hitting Mannon in the chest and killing him instantly.

As the townspeople gather around, Dillon realizes that he will now have to face the consequences of his actions. Mannon's family is determined to see him pay for what he has done and Dillon knows that he will have to stand trial for murder.

The rest of the episode follows Dillon as he prepares for his trial and faces the possibility of being sentenced to death. He works with his friend and colleague, Doc Adams, to build his case and tries to convince the jury that he was acting in self-defense.

Throughout the trial, tensions run high as the fate of Dillon hangs in the balance. There are moments of hope and moments of despair as witnesses are called and evidence is presented. Ultimately, it is up to the jury to decide whether Dillon will be found guilty or not guilty.

As the episode draws to a close, the jury delivers its verdict. Dillon is found not guilty of murder, to the relief of everyone in the courtroom. However, the experience has left Dillon shaken and he realizes that he must be more careful in the future.

"Born to Hang" is a tense and dramatic episode that showcases the talent of the cast and crew of Gunsmoke. The storyline is well-paced and the tension builds steadily throughout the episode, culminating in a thrilling conclusion. Fans of westerns and drama alike will appreciate this episode for its excellent performances and compelling storyline.