Ep 11. The Apprentice Sheriff

In The Rifleman season 1 episode 11, titled "The Apprentice Sheriff," Lucas McCain, played by Chuck Connors, is out of town and leaves his ranch in the hands of Mark, played by Johnny Crawford. While he is away, Mark finds a wounded man on their property and takes him in to heal. However, this turns out to be a mistake as the man is a criminal who was recently released from prison.

The criminal, named Joe, takes advantage of Mark's kindness and tries to convince him to help him rob a nearby bank. When Mark realizes what Joe is planning, he refuses to help him and tries to stop him from carrying out the robbery. Joe becomes enraged and threatens to hurt Mark if he does not help him.

Meanwhile, the town's sheriff is old and decrepit and is in need of someone to take over for him. The town council decides to appoint Mark as the new sheriff's apprentice in hopes that he can eventually take over the position. Mark becomes excited about this opportunity, but he is conflicted about whether to tell the sheriff about Joe's plan or to try to handle the situation himself.

As the day of the bank robbery approaches, tensions rise between Mark and Joe. Mark tries to convince Joe to give up his plan and turn himself in, but Joe refuses to listen. Mark knows that he has to stop Joe before he can carry out the robbery and hurt anyone in the process.

The episode is filled with tense moments as Mark tries to figure out how to stop Joe without getting hurt himself. He must balance his new role as a lawman with his loyalty to his father and his own conscience. Through it all, he demonstrates courage and resourcefulness that leave the audience rooting for him to succeed.

Overall, The Rifleman season 1 episode 11 is an exciting adventure that showcases the talents of the show's young star. It highlights the importance of doing what is right even in the face of danger and the challenges of balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. Fans of the Western genre and those who enjoy coming-of-age stories will find plenty to enjoy in this episode.