Ep 4. Johnny Red

Marshal Matt Dillon of Dodge City is on a mission to establish law and order in the Wild West, where outlaws and desperados lurked in every corner. In season 5 episode 4, titled "Johnny Red," Dillon finds himself in a tough spot once again when a young gunfighter named Johnny Red challenges him to a duel. But before he can take care of that, Matt has to deal with two other pressing issues: a case of stolen cattle and a looming conflict between two rival ranchers.

The episode starts with Dillon and his trusty deputy Festus investigating a case of cattle rustling. A group of cowboys from the Circle J Ranch has reported missing forty head of cattle, and the suspicion falls on the Lazy R Ranch, which is run by a wealthy and powerful man named Jed McCall. McCall denies any wrongdoing, but Dillon knows that something's fishy. He pays a visit to McCall's ranch to snoop around but finds nothing conclusive.

Meanwhile, things are heating up in town when word spreads that Johnny Red, a notorious gunslinger, has arrived in Dodge City. Johnny is a young man with a tough reputation, known for his sharpshooting skills and his tendency to pick fights with anyone who crosses him. Naturally, Dillon is not thrilled to hear that Johnny is in town, especially since he knows that the young man has been looking for him specifically.

As Dillon prepares for the inevitable showdown, he receives a surprise visit from a wealthy rancher named Angus Feeney. Feeney is a man with a large herd of cattle and a grudge against McCall, whom he blames for the theft of some of his stock. Feeney wants Dillon to help him take revenge on McCall, and he's willing to offer a substantial reward for his services. But Dillon is not in the business of taking sides, and he tells Feeney that he can't help him.

As Dillon walks out of Feeney's mansion, he spots Johnny Red waiting for him outside. Johnny taunts Dillon, challenging him to fight, but Dillon tells him to leave town before he gets hurt. Johnny doesn't listen, and that's when things start to escalate. The two men exchange a few tense words, and Dillon makes it clear that he's not afraid of Johnny's reputation. But just as they're about to draw their guns, they're interrupted by a cry from Feeney's property. Dillon rushes to investigate and finds out that Feeney has been murdered.

The rest of the episode is a whirlwind of action and suspense as Dillon tries to piece together what happened to Feeney while trying to avoid getting killed by Johnny Red, who's still out for blood. Dillon's investigation leads him to suspect that McCall is behind Feeney's murder, and he decides to confront him in his ranch. But he's not alone: Johnny Red follows him and, in a shocking turn of events, declares that he's on Dillon's side.

The final scene is a breathtaking showdown between Dillon, Johnny Red, and McCall, which culminates in a violent confrontation that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode is a masterful mix of Western tropes, suspense, and character development, with strong performances from the entire cast. It's an excellent addition to the Gunsmoke series and a must-watch for fans of the genre.