Ep 20. The Wyoming Story (1)

Chuck Connors stars in "The Rifleman" Season 3, Episode 20: "The Wyoming Story (1)," which originally aired on February 25, 1961.

In this episode, Lucas McCain (Connors) is tasked with delivering a prisoner to the town of Laramie in Wyoming. The prisoner, Ned Travis (played by Claude Akins), is a notorious outlaw who has been convicted of murder and is set to hang in Laramie. McCain doesn't relish the task, but he knows it's his responsibility as a lawman.

Travis is a slippery customer, though, and he manages to escape from McCain's custody during a stopover in a small town. McCain and his young son Mark (Johnny Crawford) are forced to track Travis through the Wyoming wilderness, enduring harsh terrain and dangerous wildlife along the way.

As the pursuit continues, McCain begins to learn more about Travis's past and begins to question whether he's the cold-blooded killer he was thought to be. Travis had grown up in poverty and had been mistreated by the wealthy landowners in the area. He had turned to a life of crime as a way to get back at the people who had made his life so difficult.

Despite this newfound sympathy, McCain knows that justice must be served for Travis's crimes. He is torn between his duty and his compassion as he tries to bring the outlaw back to Laramie to face the consequences of his actions.

Meanwhile, Mark is also struggling with his own moral dilemmas. He begins to question the idea of capital punishment and wonders whether it's right to take a person's life, even if they've done something terrible. McCain tries his best to explain the complexities of the situation to his son, but Mark remains conflicted throughout the journey.

As the episode comes to a close, McCain and Mark finally catch up to Travis, who has taken refuge in a remote cabin. A tense standoff ensues, with McCain and Travis locked in a battle of wills. The stakes are high, and the outcome of the confrontation will determine the fate of everyone involved.

"The Wyoming Story (1)" is a gripping and emotionally charged episode that challenges the audience to confront some of the most difficult questions of morality and justice. As always, Chuck Connors delivers a powerful performance as Lucas McCain, the flawed but principled hero who must navigate the complex terrain of the American West.