Ep 5. The Brother-in-Law

The Rifleman season 1 episode 5, titled "The Brother-in-Law," features lead character Lucas McCain (played by Chuck Connors) finding himself in trouble when his wife's estranged brother, Dan Willard (played by James Drury), arrives in town.

Dan is a shady character with a troubled past, and he soon proves to be a thorn in Lucas' side. He is involved in a scheme to steal some rifles from Lucas, but his plans are thwarted when Lucas finds out about them. Lucas initially tries to help Dan, hoping that he can turn his life around, but his goodwill is quickly taken advantage of.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between Lucas and Dan. Lucas becomes increasingly frustrated with his brother-in-law as Dan's true nature is revealed. Dan is manipulative and opportunistic, and he has no qualms about taking advantage of anyone who comes into his path.

The conflict between the two men comes to a head when Dan gets into a physical altercation with Lucas, leading to a tense showdown that could have disastrous consequences for both men.

Meanwhile, Lucas' son Mark (played by Johnny Crawford) is caught in the middle of the conflict. He is torn between his loyalty to his father and his desire to help his wayward uncle. As the situation grows more complicated, Mark must make some tough decisions about where his allegiances lie.

Ultimately, the episode ends with Lucas and Dan reaching a tentative truce. However, it is clear that their relationship will always be fraught with tension and distrust.

Overall, "The Brother-in-Law" is a tense, action-packed episode that showcases the complex dynamics between family members. The episode is notable for its nuanced portrayal of the complicated relationship between Lucas and Dan, and for its exploration of the difficult choices that Mark must make in the face of conflicting loyalties. Fans of The Rifleman will find this episode to be a thrilling and thought-provoking addition to the series.