Ep 22. The Boarding House

The Rifleman is a classic Western series that originally aired in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It follows the adventures of Lucas McCain, a widowed rancher, and his son Mark as they navigate life on the frontier of the New Mexico Territory. In season 1 episode 22, titled "The Boarding House," Lucas finds himself in the middle of a predicament when he agrees to help out a friend who runs a boarding house for women.

The episode opens with Lucas and Mark walking through the town of North Fork, where they are met by their friend, Millie Scott. Millie runs a boarding house for women and is struggling to keep it afloat, as several of her residents have left without paying their room and board fees. She asks Lucas to speak to the women and see if he can convince them to pay up.

Lucas agrees to help his friend, and the two of them head over to the boarding house. Once there, Lucas is surprised to find that the women are not the typical kind of boarders he expected. They are all young and attractive, and Lucas can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable around them. Nonetheless, he tries to talk to them and convince them to pay their debts, but his efforts are met with hostility and resistance.

Things take a turn for the worse when one of the women, a fiery young woman named Holly, accuses Lucas of harassing her. She claims that he made inappropriate advances towards her and threatens to tell the marshal if he doesn't back off. Lucas is shocked and angry, as he knows that he did nothing wrong. He decides to confront Holly and get to the bottom of the situation.

As Lucas investigates, he discovers that Holly is not who she appears to be. She is actually working for a man named Harry Chase, who is running a gambling operation out of the boarding house. Chase has been using the women as a cover for his illegal activities, and he doesn't want Lucas getting in the way. Holly was planted in the boarding house to keep an eye on things and to cause trouble for anyone who got too close.

Lucas confronts Chase and his men, but they are not willing to back down. A gunfight erupts, and Lucas is forced to defend himself and his friend Millie. In the end, Lucas comes out on top, and Chase and his men are arrested. The women who were living in the boarding house are all safe, and they agree to pay their debts and move on.

The episode ends with Lucas and Mark walking back home, reflecting on the events of the day. Lucas realizes that life on the frontier can be dangerous and unpredictable, but he is grateful for the sense of community he has found in North Fork.

Overall, "The Boarding House" is a classic episode of The Rifleman that showcases the show's blend of action, drama, and heart. It explores themes of trust, deception, and the importance of standing up for what is right, and it does so with a touch of humor and old-fashioned charm. Fans of Westerns and classic TV will enjoy this episode and the series as a whole.