Ep 15. False Front

When a former bandit and notorious gunslinger sets up a phony business in Dodge City, Marshal Matt Dillon takes immediate notice. The man, known only as “the Hawk,” is infamous for his quick draw and lack of scruples. Matt is convinced that the Hawk has something nefarious planned and is determined to thwart him.

As he begins to investigate, Matt discovers that the Hawk’s new business is only a front. The real operation is a scheme to rob a stagecoach carrying a large amount of cash. The Hawk has recruited a group of sharpshooters to help him pull off the heist, and Matt realizes that he’ll have to act quickly if he wants to stop them.

Meanwhile, a young woman arrives in Dodge and begs Matt to help her find her missing husband. She’s afraid that he’s gotten mixed up with the wrong people and is now in danger. Matt is sympathetic to her plight but is distracted by the looming threat of the Hawk.

As the day of the robbery approaches, tensions in Dodge City run high. Matt is on high alert, but he’s not sure when or where the Hawk will strike. When the moment finally comes, it’s up to Matt and his deputies to stop the bandits in their tracks.

The ensuing gunfight is intense and bloody, with bullets flying in every direction. Matt and his team are outnumbered, and it looks as though the Hawk’s plan will succeed. But just when all seems lost, a group of surprise reinforcements arrives in town. With their help, Matt is able to overpower the Hawk and his associates, bringing them to justice.

In the aftermath of the chaos, the missing husband is found safe and sound. Matt reunites him with his wife, and the couple is grateful for his help. Matt is left to ponder the senseless violence that seems to follow him wherever he goes. He knows that there will always be men like the Hawk, looking to exploit the lawlessness of the frontier for their own gain. But as long as he’s around, Matt is determined to stand up to them and protect the people of Dodge City.

Overall, False Front is a thrilling episode of Gunsmoke that showcases the dangers and complexities of life on the American frontier. It’s a reminder that there were no easy solutions in this world, and that sometimes, violence was the only answer. But through it all, Matt Dillon remained a beacon of justice, fighting tirelessly to uphold the law and protect the innocent.