Ep 14. Incident of the Calico Gun

Rawhide season 1 episode 14, titled "Incident of the Calico Gun," follows the cattle drive crew as they encounter a mysterious gunman who wears a strange calico coat. While passing through a small town, the crew is ambushed by the gunman, who steals a valuable herd of cattle and injures one of the drovers.

Determined to reclaim their stolen cattle, Gil Favor, the trail boss, and his men set out to track the thief down. Along the way, they encounter a woman named Mary, who claims that the gunman is actually her husband, Jim, a former soldier who has been suffering from trauma since returning from war. Despite her pleas for mercy, the crew remains determined to capture Jim and bring him to justice.

As they continue their pursuit, tensions rise among the crew as they debate the ethics of their mission and whether capturing Jim is worth risking their own lives. Along the way, they encounter a range of characters, some of whom help them in their quest, while others hinder their progress.

Amidst the action and suspense, the episode explores themes such as post-traumatic stress disorder, the morality of vengeance, and the dangers of blindly pursuing justice. The characters must navigate these complex issues as they grapple with the challenges of life on the trail.

Overall, "Incident of the Calico Gun" is a compelling and thought-provoking installment of Rawhide that tests the moral fiber of its characters and challenges viewers to consider their own sense of justice.