In the first part of this story, Bob Johnson sees his world shattered by the actions of a rancher named Parker because he and his two cohorts were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Johnson refuses to seek legal recourse for the injustices perpetrated and chooses to exact his own measure of vengeance with no regard for the consequences.
In a moment of foreshadowing, Johnson tells Angel, the woman he loves, that everything he touches dies, and then he proceeds to take actions that will make his prediction come true. The old adage of "live by the sword, die by the sword" comes to mind.
There is another important scene where Johnson tells Parker all of the events that have transpired to that point are the results of Parker's arrogance and foolhardy actions. In a bit of irony, Johnson's subsequent actions result in a similar outcome.
In the earlier John Meston/Norm MacDonnell days of Gunsmoke, tragic stories were commonplace, but the tragedy was often the product of forces outside the control of the people experiencing the tragic events. In this story, the seemingly inevitable outcome is purely the product of Bob Johnson's actions.
Although we briefly met the Lukens characters, as played by Royal Dano and Victor French, in Part 1, they play a bigger role here. Both men were amazing character actors with the ability to portray all manner of characters. Their relatively small contribution to this story is a significant part of the plot in Part 2. Their scenes are surprisingly brutal and difficult to watch.
Part 1 is the more pleasant, more upbeat part of this story, which makes it easier viewing. Part 2 is a sad spiral into hopelessness, and it is tougher to watch. There is no funny banter in the Long Branch Saloon. There are no humorous arguments between Doc Adams and Festus Haggen. It is just a rapid descent into a Hell of one's own making. In the final scene, Matt Dillon provides a nice summary of the story.
In a moment of foreshadowing, Johnson tells Angel, the woman he loves, that everything he touches dies, and then he proceeds to take actions that will make his prediction come true. The old adage of "live by the sword, die by the sword" comes to mind.
There is another important scene where Johnson tells Parker all of the events that have transpired to that point are the results of Parker's arrogance and foolhardy actions. In a bit of irony, Johnson's subsequent actions result in a similar outcome.
In the earlier John Meston/Norm MacDonnell days of Gunsmoke, tragic stories were commonplace, but the tragedy was often the product of forces outside the control of the people experiencing the tragic events. In this story, the seemingly inevitable outcome is purely the product of Bob Johnson's actions.
Although we briefly met the Lukens characters, as played by Royal Dano and Victor French, in Part 1, they play a bigger role here. Both men were amazing character actors with the ability to portray all manner of characters. Their relatively small contribution to this story is a significant part of the plot in Part 2. Their scenes are surprisingly brutal and difficult to watch.
Part 1 is the more pleasant, more upbeat part of this story, which makes it easier viewing. Part 2 is a sad spiral into hopelessness, and it is tougher to watch. There is no funny banter in the Long Branch Saloon. There are no humorous arguments between Doc Adams and Festus Haggen. It is just a rapid descent into a Hell of one's own making. In the final scene, Matt Dillon provides a nice summary of the story.