Ep 13. The Coward

The Rifleman season 2 episode 13, titled "The Coward," follows Lucas McCain (played by Chuck Connors) as he tries to help a young man build up his courage.

Lucas is summoned to the home of a wealthy rancher named John Brant (played by Claude Akins) who wants his help in training his son Clay (played by Warren Oates) to be a better fighter. Clay is known in the town of North Fork as a cowardly young man who is afraid to stand up for himself. He wants to marry a local girl, but her father refuses to give his blessing because he thinks Clay is weak and helpless.

Lucas agrees to take Clay under his wing and teach him how to fight. At first, Clay is hesitant and scared. Lucas tries to get him to see that there's nothing to be afraid of, and that standing up for himself is important. Slowly but surely, Clay begins to build up his confidence and work on his fighting skills.

In the meantime, John Brant is up to no good. He and his gang of outlaws are planning to rob the North Fork bank. They decide to use Clay to distract Lucas so they can carry out their plan without interference. They convince Clay that he will be a hero if he helps them with the robbery.

When Lucas finds out about the plan, he is furious. He tells Clay that being a hero doesn't mean doing something wrong, and that he should never let anyone use him like that. Clay finally realizes that he's been foolish to think that being a hero means doing something cowardly and wrong.

Lucas and Clay decide to work together to stop John Brant and his gang. They plan a trap and manage to catch them all red-handed. Brant is arrested and Clay is finally able to prove that he's a brave young man who is willing to do the right thing.

"The Coward" is a classic episode of The Rifleman that explores themes of courage, heroism, and standing up for oneself. Lucas McCain is a character who embodies these ideals, and his mentorship of Clay demonstrates the importance of being a positive role model for young people. The episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of moral values and doing what is right, even in the face of fear and adversity.