Ep 1. Jeff

Jeff is the first episode of the classic western TV series, The Westerner. It begins with a familiar scene that any western fan will recognize: a group of bandits robbing a bank. But what sets this episode apart is the introduction of a new character, Dave Blassingame, played by Brian Keith.

Blassingame is a drifter who arrives in town looking for work, but he immediately gets caught up in the drama when he witnesses the bank robbery. He tries to intervene, but he's quickly knocked out by one of the bandits. When he wakes up, he finds himself in jail, accused of being an accomplice in the robbery.

While in jail, Blassingame meets a young cowboy named Jeff, played by Roger Mobley. Jeff is also in trouble with the law, accused of cattle rustling. Though the two men come from different backgrounds, they form a bond, with Blassingame taking Jeff under his wing. He teaches him how to play poker, how to defend himself, and even how to survive in the harsh western landscape.

As the episode progresses, Blassingame becomes convinced that Jeff is innocent of the cattle rustling charges, and he sets out to clear his name. His investigation leads him to a corrupt rancher named Walt Kitch, played by Michael Ansara. Kitch is the real mastermind behind the cattle rustling, and he'll stop at nothing to cover his tracks.

Blassingame's search for justice puts him in danger, and he finds himself in a shootout with Kitch's men. But with Jeff's help and a bit of lucky timing, Blassingame manages to take down the bad guys and clear Jeff's name.

The first episode of The Westerner sets the stage for the series as a whole. We see Blassingame as a drifter with a strong sense of justice, willing to stand up to the bad guys even when it means putting himself in danger. We also see Jeff as a brave and loyal young man, willing to stand by his friends no matter what.

Overall, Jeff is a strong start to a classic western series. It has all the elements that fans love - shootouts, horseback chases, and a hero who rides into town to set things right. But it also has heart, with a touching friendship between Blassingame and Jeff at its core. If you're a fan of the genre, this is a must-watch episode.