Ep 9. The Long Goodbye

In The Rifleman season 4 episode 9, entitled "The Long Goodbye," Lucas McCain, played by Chuck Connors, is confronted with the possibility that an old friend may be a thief, and must make a difficult decision.

The episode begins with Lucas riding into town with his son Mark, played by Johnny Crawford. As they walk down the street, they run into an old friend of Lucas', a man named Jack Sinclair. Jack is a gambler who has fallen on hard times, and he asks Lucas for a loan. Lucas, who is skeptical of Jack's story, refuses to give him money.

As Lucas and Mark continue on their way, they notice that a local store has been burglarized. The thief left behind a distinctive key, which Lucas recognizes as belonging to Jack. Lucas and Mark go to Jack's hotel room to confront him, but Jack insists that he is innocent.

Despite his doubts, Lucas decides to give Jack the benefit of the doubt and enlists him to help track down the real thief. They set a trap for the thief, but it fails, and Jack disappears.

As Lucas investigates further, he begins to uncover evidence that suggests Jack may have been involved in the theft after all. He is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his duty to bring the thief to justice.

Meanwhile, Mark has befriended a young girl who has been accused of shoplifting. He believes that she is innocent, and helps her clear her name.

As the episode reaches its climax, Lucas is forced to make a difficult decision about Jack's fate. He ultimately chooses to do what is right, even if it means betraying a friend.

Overall, "The Long Goodbye" is a tense and emotionally charged episode that explores the complex relationships between friends, family, and justice. The themes of loyalty and betrayal are at the forefront, as Lucas struggles with his conflicting loyalties and ultimately decides to do what is right, even if it comes at a personal cost.