Ep 18. Old Dan

In the Gunsmoke season 7 episode 18 titled "Old Dan," the citizens of Dodge City come together to mourn the passing of a beloved member of their community. The eponymous Old Dan, a farmer and friend to many, dies suddenly and his death sends shockwaves throughout the town. As Matt Dillon and his men investigate the circumstances surrounding Dan's death, they uncover a dark secret that threatens to destroy the peace in Dodge City.

The episode begins with the funeral of Old Dan, who was widely loved and respected by everyone in Dodge City. The mourners all gather at the grave site to pay their respects, including Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, and Festus Haggen, who offer their condolences to Dan's son, Will. Throughout the episode, the town comes together to support Will in his grief and to help him put his affairs in order.

However, things take a dark turn when Matt and Festus start to suspect foul play in Dan's death. They soon discover that a group of outlaws have been terrorizing the town, and that Dan may have been a victim of their violence. As they investigate further, they realize that the outlaws are hiding out on Dan's property, using his land as a base of operations for their criminal activities.

Matt, Festus, and the rest of the town quickly come together to confront the outlaws, but they find themselves outnumbered and outgunned. With no other options, they resort to a risky and dangerous plan to take down the criminals and bring them to justice. The ensuing gunfight is tense and action-packed, with several casualties on both sides.

Eventually, the outlaws are defeated and the town returns to a state of peace and normalcy. Will is able to move forward with his life, and the people of Dodge City can continue to honor the memory of Old Dan without fear of violence or danger.

Overall, "Old Dan" is a poignant and emotional episode of Gunsmoke that explores the complex relationships between neighbors and friends in a small western town. It also showcases the bravery and resourcefulness of Matt Dillon and his deputies as they work to maintain law and order in the face of danger and violence. Fans of classic westerns and action-packed dramas will find much to enjoy in this engaging and entertaining episode.