Ep 23. About Chester

In the season 6 episode 23 of the classic Western TV series Gunsmoke titled "About Chester", viewers are taken on a tumultuous journey that delves into the life and personality of one of the show's most beloved characters- Chester Goode.

The episode starts with Chester (Dennis Weaver) receiving a letter from his cousin Ezra who lives in Philadelphia. Chester is very excited to read the letter and find out the news, but he soon becomes very depressed and moody. He even lashes out at his closest friend Matt Dillon (James Arness), accusing him of not understanding what he's going through.

Matt is baffled by Chester's behaviour but is soon called away to deal with a pressing matter, and Chester is left alone with his thoughts. He starts to have vivid flashbacks of his troubled childhood and the traumatic events that led him to leave his hometown and wander around the country before eventually ending up in Dodge City, Kansas.

As the episode unfolds, viewers get a glimpse into Chester's past and the experiences that have shaped him into the man he is today. We see him as a young boy who is constantly bullied and beaten by his older brother, who is jealous of him and torments him relentlessly. We also learn that Chester's father was an alcoholic who was physically abusive to his wife and children and showed them very little love or affection.

The flashbacks also reveal the pivotal moment when Chester decided to leave his hometown. One night, when he was around 18 years old, his brother and some of his friends got drunk and decided to go after Chester with shotguns. Chester managed to fend them off but left the town immediately afterward, never looking back.

As the episode progresses, Chester's behaviour becomes more erratic and unpredictable. He starts to have violent outbursts and seems to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He even admits to Matt that he's been thinking about leaving town and starting a new life somewhere else.

Matt, who cares deeply for Chester, decides to investigate the cause of his friend's distress. He talks to Ezra and learns that Chester's childhood home has been foreclosed and is about to be auctioned off. Matt realizes that this news has triggered all of Chester's old traumas and emotional wounds and has pushed him to the brink of despair.

In a touching scene towards the end of the episode, Matt goes to the auction and buys Chester's childhood home, sending a message to his friend that he cares deeply for him and wants to help in any way he can. This act of kindness seems to have a therapeutic effect on Chester, who finally opens up to Matt about his past and his innermost feelings.

The episode ends with Chester driving to Denver to take care of some personal matters but promising Matt and the rest of the gang that he will come back to Dodge City soon. The last scene shows Matt and the rest of the characters looking on wistfully as Chester drives away, a testament to the love and respect they have for him and the important role he plays in their lives.

Overall, "About Chester" is an emotionally charged and poignant episode that gives fans of Gunsmoke a chance to get to know one of the show's most iconic characters on a deeper level. The episode is also a testament to the power of friendship and loyalty, as Matt and the rest of the gang rally around Chester in his time of need, showing that they'll always be there for him, no matter what.