Ep 20. The Horse Traders

In The Rifleman season 2 episode 20, titled "The Horse Traders," we see Lucas McCain, a widowed rancher and sharpshooter, dealing with a group of unscrupulous horse traders who attempt to cheat him out of a fair deal. The episode opens with Lucas riding into town to meet with the horse traders, who are known for selling defective stock and engaging in other illicit activities. Lucas, however, is determined to get a good deal, and he brings along Mark, his young son, to help.

The horse traders, led by Jeb Gaine, immediately start to test Lucas's patience, by offering him subpar horses for a high price. Lucas, sensing their dishonesty, refuses their offer and decides to look for horses elsewhere. However, Jeb Gaine is determined to make a profit, and he follows Lucas back to his ranch, hoping to strike a deal.

Once they arrive at the ranch, Lucas introduces Jeb to his neighbor, Micah Torrance, who is also the town sheriff. Micah, who is suspicious of the horse traders, decides to investigate them further, and soon discovers that they are wanted for horse theft in another state. He orders them to leave the town immediately, but they refuse to go, causing tension to build between them and Lucas.

As the tension mounts, Jeb offers to sell Lucas a horse for a very cheap price, promising him that it is healthy and strong. Lucas, however, is wary of the offer, but despite his misgivings, he agrees. It turns out to be a big mistake, as the horse collapses soon after Lucas mounts it, revealing that Jeb has once again cheated him.

Lucas is furious and confronts Jeb, but Jeb refuses to give him his money back, and instead starts to insult Lucas's son Mark, provoking Lucas into a fistfight. The fight ends with Lucas overpowering Jeb, forcing him to leave the ranch once and for all. After the fight, Mark, who has been traumatized by the incident, starts to doubt his father's moral code, leading to a heart-to-heart conversation between the two.

In the end, Lucas manages to regain Mark's trust, and they reaffirm their bond, cementing their father-son relationship. The episode ends on a happy note, with Lucas and Mark riding off into the sunset, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

Overall, "The Horse Traders" is an action-packed, emotionally charged episode, showcasing the strength of Lucas and Mark's bond, and their unwavering commitment to do the right thing. With its compelling storyline, memorable characters, and beautiful cinematography, The Rifleman continues to be one of the most beloved Westerns of all time.