Ep 18. Unloaded Gun

In this episode of Gunsmoke, titled "Unloaded Gun," we find Marshal Matt Dillon and the people of Dodge City dealing with a mystery that has everyone on edge. When a wealthy businessman is found dead in his hotel room, it initially appears to be a case of suicide. However, as Matt and his deputies investigate further, they begin to suspect foul play.

The victim, a man named John Hillman, was known to many in Dodge City as a ruthless and greedy man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. As the investigation begins, Matt and his deputies discover that Hillman had made many enemies over the years and that any number of people would have had a motive to kill him.

As the investigation continues, Matt and his deputies come across a number of suspects, each with their own story to tell. There's Hillman's business partner, who had recently had a falling out with him over money. Then there's the hotel clerk who had been fired by Hillman just days before his death. And of course, there's Hillman's wife, who is devastated at the loss of her husband but seems to be hiding something.

As Matt and his deputies try to get to the bottom of the mystery, they are hampered by a number of obstacles. For one thing, they have very little physical evidence to work with. And for another, the suspects are all very good at keeping their stories straight and deflecting suspicion away from themselves.

Despite these challenges, Matt remains determined to solve the case and bring the killer to justice. His investigation takes him to all corners of Dodge City, from the seedy saloons on the edge of town to the posh mansions on its outskirts.

As the episode unfolds, we see Matt and his deputies slowly piece together the mystery, bit by bit. With each new discovery, they come closer to uncovering the truth about what happened to John Hillman and who was responsible for his death.

In the end, "Unloaded Gun" is a classic episode of Gunsmoke that showcases all the elements that made the show so popular during its run. It's an engaging mystery with well-drawn characters, plenty of suspense, and a satisfying resolution. Fans of the show won't want to miss this one.