Ep 25. The Deserter

The Rifleman is a popular western TV series that originally aired in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The show follows the adventures of a sharpshooter named Lucas McCain (played by Chuck Connors) and his young son, Mark (played by Johnny Crawford), as they navigate life in the New Mexico Territory.

Season 2 of The Rifleman has been full of exciting and emotional episodes, and episode 25, titled "The Deserter," is no exception. In this episode, Lucas and Mark stumble upon a wounded soldier named Brock (played by Warren Oates) while out on a hunting trip. Brock tells Lucas that he has deserted his post and is being pursued by his fellow soldiers, who want to bring him back to face punishment.

Lucas is torn between his duty to his country and his compassion for the young soldier, who reminds him of his own experiences fighting in the Civil War. He ultimately decides to help Brock, even though it could put him and his son in danger.

As they try to evade Brock's pursuers and make their way to safety, Lucas and Brock bond over their shared experiences of war and the toll it takes on a person's psyche. Brock is haunted by the things he has seen and done during his time in the military, and Lucas knows all too well how difficult it can be to readjust to civilian life.

Meanwhile, Mark is struggling with his own feelings about the situation. He looks up to his father and admires his bravery, but he also worries about the consequences of helping a deserter. His youthful idealism clashes with the harsh realities of war and the difficult choices that sometimes have to be made.

As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that there are no easy answers. Lucas and Brock are pursued by both the military and a group of vengeful locals who are furious about Brock's actions. They find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations, and it looks like their luck might finally run out.

Ultimately, "The Deserter" is a powerful episode that speaks to the universal themes of war, trauma, and compassion. It shows the toll that war takes on individuals and society as a whole, and the difficult choices that have to be made in order to uphold one's principles. The stunning performances by the cast and the gripping storyline make this episode a standout in an already impressive season.