Ep 4. The Hero

The Virginian season 3 episode 4, titled "The Hero," follows the main character, the Virginian, as he confronts his past and his present. The episode begins with the Virginian receiving news that his old friend, James Nolan, has died. The Virginian is immediately shocked and saddened by this news, as he and James were close from their days serving together in the Union Army during the Civil War.

As the Virginian makes arrangements to attend the funeral, he is plagued by memories of his time in the war. The horrors he witnessed and the guilt he feels about those he could not save weigh heavily on him. The Virginian's past catches up with him when he receives a letter from a man named William Daniels, who claims that the Virginian saved his life during the war. William is desperate to see the Virginian and thank him in person.

Upon arriving in town for James's funeral, the Virginian learns that another man, Frank Finlay, has been telling everyone that he is the hero who saved William Daniels's life during the war. Frank is a new arrival to town and is trying to make a name for himself by telling tall tales about his supposed heroics in the war. The Virginian is enraged at Frank's lies and sets out to expose him.

Throughout the episode, the Virginian is forced to confront his own sense of heroism. He is conflicted about his role in the war and whether he truly deserves the label of hero. As the Virginian tries to prove to William that he is the man who saved his life, he realizes that he may have done more harm than good. His actions during the war had unintended consequences, and he struggles with the guilt of knowing that he may have saved some lives while also taking others.

Meanwhile, Frank continues to spread his lies, and the Virginian becomes increasingly frustrated with the townspeople's willingness to believe him. The Virginian must decide whether to confront Frank directly or to let his own actions speak for themselves.

As the episode draws to a close, the Virginian must grapple with the idea of what it means to be a hero. He meets William in person and is finally able to hear his side of the story. William tells the Virginian that he doesn't care who saved his life, only that he is alive and able to enjoy his family. The Virginian is humbled by this realization and begins to see himself in a new light.

Overall, "The Hero" is a thoughtful exploration of the idea of heroism. The Virginian's struggles with his own past and his desire to set the record straight make for a compelling story. The episode asks important questions about what it means to be a hero and whether heroism is always a cut-and-dried matter.