Reverend Arthur Byrne, a determined, aging preacher, wants to build a church for a Comanche tribe. The past death of the Reverend's wife caused him to take stock of his life and face the banality of the relative luxury and easy life he had enjoyed thanks to his parishioners. When his sermons started taking on a more challenging tone, the people complained to his supervising Bishop, and Reverend Byrne was forced into retirement. Now he seeks to accomplish something more substantial by helping the Comanche people.
The people of the town of Nescatunga are vehemently opposed to the Reverend's plans. The town is located close to the Comanche reservation, and the people of the town see the Comanches as savages and killers. Some have had relatives killed in battles with the Comanche in years past. Reverend Atkins pastors the church in Nescatunga, and he joins in the resistance to Reverend Byrne's efforts to help the Comanche.
(Nescatunga, Kansas was a real town in the latter portion of the 1800s, but it was later abandoned. The town of Coldwater is located close to the "ghost town" of Nescatunga today.)
When Deputy U. S. Marshal Festus Haggen visits the town to deliver a prisoner, he witnesses some of the resistance against Reverend Byrne's efforts. The owner of the Dunbar Lumberyard refuses to sell the preacher supplies to build his church. When Festus witnesses Dunbar's prejudicial actions, he orders Dunbar to comply with the Reverend's request. (A U. S. Marshal does not have that kind of authority, but the owner complied nevertheless.)
Reverend Byrne's intentions are further complicated by a lack of assistance from anyone, and his own failing heart. Despite overwhelming obstacles, the Reverend proceeds with his plans. As Festus witnesses Reverend Byrne's determination, he becomes increasingly involved in helping the man achieve his goals.
Prolific actor David Wayne returns for his final Gunsmoke role as Reverend Arthur Byrne. He had previously appeared as a judge in Season 19's "Lynch Town" episode. This episode is very much the Ken Curtis and David Wayne show as the chemistry between the two actors is outstanding.
Ken Swofford had guest roles in twelve Gunsmoke episodes, with his performance here as the bigoted shopkeeper named Dunbar representing his final appearance. Swofford also appeared in the "Lynch Town" episode from Season 19 that featured Wayne.
Tom Lacy makes his only Gunsmoke performance as Reverend Atkins. It is his parishioners that resent Reverend Byrne's efforts to minister to the Comanches, and eventually go so far as to burn the church structure Festus and Reverend Byrne manage to erect. In this manner, the pious Reverend Atkins is seen as the antithesis of Reverend Byrne.
Ken Renard, who often appeared in television and films in small roles, plays the Comanche leader Tonkowa. Renard appeared in three Gunsmoke episodes and played American Indians in each performance.
Ken Curtis is the only regular cast member prominently featured in this episode. There is a short scene a few minutes into the episode where Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, and Miss Hannah are in the Long Branch Saloon after hours discussing Festus's absence, but it has no real significance to the story.
This episode is obviously meant to address blatant discrimination. In this case the discrimination is perpetrated by the people of the town against the Comanches who live nearby. Reverend Byrne and Festus see the Comanches as fellow humans worthy of the efforts to provide them a church, but the people of Nescatunga have objectified and hate the tribe. The episode is also clearly intended to be a heartwarming story about one man's determination to accomplish something positive against insurmountable odds. (There is even a not-so-subtle reference to the novel Moby-Dick.)
There are a few Gunsmoke episodes that include prominent religious figures -- priests, preachers, nuns, etc. -- as major characters, and the Festus Haggen character is always the regular cast member who engages with them. In this story, Festus is the sole non-clergy character that exhibits the characteristics most aligned with the teachings and practices of Jesus. He practices self-sacrifice and compassion for both Reverend Byrnes and the Comanche people.
(There are a couple of scenes where characters mention an obscure Biblical reference to the name "Festus." Porcius Festus represented the Roman government as governor of Judea and Samaria. He sent the Apostle Paul to Rome to stand trial under Emperor Nero. It is funny to think of Festus Haggen's parents naming him after such an obscure individual from history.)
It is worth noting that in the sermon Reverend Byrne delivers to the Comanche congregation, he does not demean their spiritual practices. Instead, he relates the acts of Jesus as described in his Bible and his tradition to their practices. That is a surprisingly thoughtful, insightful touch.
Viewers looking for an action-packed, shoot-'em-up story may be disappointed by this episode. It moves slowly out of necessity. It offers no significant surprises, either. The performances by Ken Curtis and David Wayne, plus the profound treatment of the material make this episode worth viewing.
The people of the town of Nescatunga are vehemently opposed to the Reverend's plans. The town is located close to the Comanche reservation, and the people of the town see the Comanches as savages and killers. Some have had relatives killed in battles with the Comanche in years past. Reverend Atkins pastors the church in Nescatunga, and he joins in the resistance to Reverend Byrne's efforts to help the Comanche.
(Nescatunga, Kansas was a real town in the latter portion of the 1800s, but it was later abandoned. The town of Coldwater is located close to the "ghost town" of Nescatunga today.)
When Deputy U. S. Marshal Festus Haggen visits the town to deliver a prisoner, he witnesses some of the resistance against Reverend Byrne's efforts. The owner of the Dunbar Lumberyard refuses to sell the preacher supplies to build his church. When Festus witnesses Dunbar's prejudicial actions, he orders Dunbar to comply with the Reverend's request. (A U. S. Marshal does not have that kind of authority, but the owner complied nevertheless.)
Reverend Byrne's intentions are further complicated by a lack of assistance from anyone, and his own failing heart. Despite overwhelming obstacles, the Reverend proceeds with his plans. As Festus witnesses Reverend Byrne's determination, he becomes increasingly involved in helping the man achieve his goals.
Prolific actor David Wayne returns for his final Gunsmoke role as Reverend Arthur Byrne. He had previously appeared as a judge in Season 19's "Lynch Town" episode. This episode is very much the Ken Curtis and David Wayne show as the chemistry between the two actors is outstanding.
Ken Swofford had guest roles in twelve Gunsmoke episodes, with his performance here as the bigoted shopkeeper named Dunbar representing his final appearance. Swofford also appeared in the "Lynch Town" episode from Season 19 that featured Wayne.
Tom Lacy makes his only Gunsmoke performance as Reverend Atkins. It is his parishioners that resent Reverend Byrne's efforts to minister to the Comanches, and eventually go so far as to burn the church structure Festus and Reverend Byrne manage to erect. In this manner, the pious Reverend Atkins is seen as the antithesis of Reverend Byrne.
Ken Renard, who often appeared in television and films in small roles, plays the Comanche leader Tonkowa. Renard appeared in three Gunsmoke episodes and played American Indians in each performance.
Ken Curtis is the only regular cast member prominently featured in this episode. There is a short scene a few minutes into the episode where Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, and Miss Hannah are in the Long Branch Saloon after hours discussing Festus's absence, but it has no real significance to the story.
This episode is obviously meant to address blatant discrimination. In this case the discrimination is perpetrated by the people of the town against the Comanches who live nearby. Reverend Byrne and Festus see the Comanches as fellow humans worthy of the efforts to provide them a church, but the people of Nescatunga have objectified and hate the tribe. The episode is also clearly intended to be a heartwarming story about one man's determination to accomplish something positive against insurmountable odds. (There is even a not-so-subtle reference to the novel Moby-Dick.)
There are a few Gunsmoke episodes that include prominent religious figures -- priests, preachers, nuns, etc. -- as major characters, and the Festus Haggen character is always the regular cast member who engages with them. In this story, Festus is the sole non-clergy character that exhibits the characteristics most aligned with the teachings and practices of Jesus. He practices self-sacrifice and compassion for both Reverend Byrnes and the Comanche people.
(There are a couple of scenes where characters mention an obscure Biblical reference to the name "Festus." Porcius Festus represented the Roman government as governor of Judea and Samaria. He sent the Apostle Paul to Rome to stand trial under Emperor Nero. It is funny to think of Festus Haggen's parents naming him after such an obscure individual from history.)
It is worth noting that in the sermon Reverend Byrne delivers to the Comanche congregation, he does not demean their spiritual practices. Instead, he relates the acts of Jesus as described in his Bible and his tradition to their practices. That is a surprisingly thoughtful, insightful touch.
Viewers looking for an action-packed, shoot-'em-up story may be disappointed by this episode. It moves slowly out of necessity. It offers no significant surprises, either. The performances by Ken Curtis and David Wayne, plus the profound treatment of the material make this episode worth viewing.
