Ep 2. Incident of Cactus Wells

In the second episode of Rawhide's fifth season, entitled "Incident of Cactus Wells," the cattle drive encounters trouble as they cross into Arizona territory. The drovers arrive at the town of Cactus Wells and find it nearly deserted except for a few strange characters, including a gunfighter named Gabe and a reclusive woman named Louella.

As they rest their cattle and gear up to move on, things take a turn for the worse. Louella's husband, a former sheriff, is murdered and suspicion falls on Gabe, who has a long-standing feud with the deceased. The drovers are caught in the middle of the ensuing standoff between Gabe and the townspeople, with tensions rising as the group attempts to determine who is responsible for the murder.

Things come to a head when Louella is kidnapped and the drovers must team up with Gabe to rescue her, all while trying to avoid drawing the attention of the nearby Apaches. As they navigate their way through the rugged terrain of the Arizona desert, tensions continue to mount, and even the most steadfast members of the group begin to doubt their chances of making it out alive.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning landscapes and high-stakes action sequences, as the Rawhide drovers face off against a variety of challenges, both natural and man-made. The show expertly weaves together the various plot threads, drawing viewers in with its fast-paced storytelling and gripping action.

Ultimately, "Incident of Cactus Wells" is a gripping installment of Rawhide that showcases the show's ability to balance tense drama, well-drawn characters, and exciting action. As the show continues to follow the drovers on their journey across the American West, viewers can look forward to more thrilling adventures and unexpected twists and turns.