Ep 12. Nina's Revenge

Marshal Matt Dillon and his deputies were always on the lookout for trouble in the Old West town of Dodge City. In season 7 episode 12 of Gunsmoke, titled "Nina's Revenge," the lawmen face a vengeful woman who will stop at nothing to seek justice for her family.

The episode kicks off with Matt Dillon receiving a letter from Nina Sharkey, who is seeking revenge against a man named Walt Clayton. Nina claims that Clayton was responsible for the deaths of her family and now she intends to make him pay. Dillon, suspicious of her motives, goes to talk to Clayton, a wealthy and influential businessman in Dodge.

Clayton denies any involvement in the deaths of Nina's family, but Dillon knows better than to blindly trust someone in such a position of power. As he investigates further, he discovers that there is indeed evidence incriminating Clayton in the crime. Dillon decides to confront Clayton, who is uncooperative and refuses to confess.

Meanwhile, Nina hatches a plan to take matters into her own hands. She bribes a gunfighter named Billy to kill Clayton, not realizing that Billy is actually an undercover deputy working for Dillon. When Billy attempts to carry out the hit, Dillon and his deputies thwart the plan and arrest both Billy and Nina.

At the trial, Nina makes a convincing argument for her revenge, but Dillon knows that taking the law into her own hands is never justified. The judge ultimately hands down a harsh punishment for Nina, while Clayton is also held accountable for his crimes.

Despite the tense and confrontational nature of the episode, "Nina's Revenge" ultimately ends on a hopeful note as justice is served and Matt Dillon's commitment to upholding the law prevails.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to the top-notch acting and storytelling that made Gunsmoke a beloved Western drama for over a decade. James Arness shines as the unflappable Matt Dillon, while Amanda Blake delivers a memorable performance as the determined and vengeful Nina. The supporting cast also impresses, with special credit due to guest star Simon Oakland, who plays Walt Clayton with just the right amount of sliminess and arrogance.

Overall, "Nina's Revenge" is a thrilling and engaging episode of Gunsmoke that showcases the show's strengths in characterization, suspenseful pacing, and moral complexity. Fans of Classic Westerns and crime dramas alike will find much to love in this well-crafted and entertaining story.