Ep 9. Incident of the Town in Terror

In Rawhide season 1 episode 9, "Incident of the Town in Terror," the trail bosses and their cattle drives fall victim to a group of bandits. The episode opens with Gil Favor (Eric Fleming) and his men trying to outrun a raging storm as they lead a large herd of cattle through the countryside. As the dust settles and the men take refuge in a nearby town, they soon discover that the town is in chaos.

The bandits, led by the ruthless Rance Macklin (Claude Akins), have taken over the town and are threatening to kill anyone who gets in their way. Macklin and his gang are terrorizing the citizens and the trail bosses alike, holding them all hostage in the town. Favor and his men must come up with a plan to outsmart the bandits and take back control of the town.

The tension in the episode is palpable as Favor and his men work to figure out what the bandits want and how they can stop them. They quickly realize that the bandits are after the cattle, which they plan to steal and sell for a profit. The trail bosses have no choice but to stand their ground and fight against the bandits to protect their livelihoods.

As the episode progresses, the stakes get higher and the danger becomes more intense. The bandits become increasingly violent, killing innocent people and destroying property without remorse. It becomes clear that Macklin and his gang are not to be underestimated, and the trail bosses must use all of their resources to come up with a plan to defeat them.

One of the most interesting aspects of this episode is the dynamic between Favor and Macklin. The two men engage in a battle of wits, each trying to outsmart the other. The tension between them is palpable, and the scenes in which they confront each other are some of the most memorable in the episode.

The performances in "Incident of the Town in Terror" are excellent across the board. Eric Fleming is particularly strong as Gil Favor, bringing a sense of gravitas to the role that makes him a believable and compelling leader. Claude Akins is equally impressive as Rance Macklin, playing the role with just the right amount of menace and charm.

Overall, "Incident of the Town in Terror" is a tense and thrilling episode of Rawhide that showcases the series' strengths. It's a well-paced and expertly crafted episode that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat from start to finish. If you're a fan of classic Westerns, this episode is not to be missed.