Ep 12. The Baby Sitter
- TVPG
- December 15, 1959
- 25 min
-
7.3 (127)
The Rifleman Season 2 Episode 12, "The Baby Sitter," follows Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) as he hires a young woman named Sally Walker (Merry Anders) to watch his son Mark (Johnny Crawford) while he is out of town for business. Lucas has known Sally since she was a child and trusts her to take care of his son.
Mark is initially wary of Sally as he is used to Lucas or Hattie (Olive Carey) watching over him, but he soon warms up to her. However, trouble arises when two bandits, Frank Clooney (Lee Van Cleef) and his sidekick Hap (John Mitchum), come into town looking for their former partner-in-crime, a man named Bellamy. The duo plan to rob the local bank and leave town with the money, but their search for Bellamy leads them to Lucas' house where they encounter Sally and Mark.
Sally tries to protect Mark and fend off the bandits with a gun, but they overpower her and take them both as hostages. Lucas, who returned to town early, discovers what has happened and sets out to rescue them. With the help of the town Sheriff, Micah Torrance (Paul Fix), Lucas manages to track down the bandits and engage in a standoff.
During the showdown, Sally proves to be brave and resourceful, helping Lucas take down the bandits. In the end, everyone is safe and sound, and Lucas realizes that he has misjudged Sally's capabilities. The episode ends with Lucas thanking Sally for her bravery and accepting her as a capable babysitter for Mark.
"The Baby Sitter" is a classic example of The Rifleman's blend of Western action and family-friendly themes. The episode highlights the importance of trust and community in a small town, with Lucas relying on those he knows and trusts to care for his son. It also showcases the show's strong female characters, with Sally and Hattie standing up to the male bandits and proving their worth in a traditionally male-dominated genre.
Overall, The Rifleman Season 2 Episode 12 is an entertaining and engaging episode that combines thrilling action with heartwarming themes of family and community.
