Back in 1984, when Farrah Fawcett killed her abusive husband in The Burning Bed, it was heralded as the first time that happened in a TV movie. However, since the 1950s, Gunsmoke had women killing their husbands on several occasions. Earlier in "Til Death Do Us" (Season 5, Episode 19), Mary Field put a rifle into her abusive husband's guts and sent him to hell the hard way.
In "I Thee Wed" we get another depressing and tragic story from Gunsmoke creators John Meston and Les Crutchfield. Allyn Joslin plays the abusive husband Sam. This was his first and only appearance on Gunsmoke. Joslin has a talent for being arrogant and dismissive. Sam treats his wife Hester worse than any normal person would treat a dog.
Alice Frost plays Sam's wife, Hester. This was her only appearance on Gunsmoke. Hester is pretty beat down, both physically and emotionally. This episode shows a lot of verbal and some physical abuse by her husband. The story marches towards the climactic ending that results when Hester finally realizes that no matter how much love she gives Sam, the only thing she will be getting is a slap-down. Perhaps the saddest part of this story is that Marshal Dillon, who witnessed most of the abuse against Hester, still takes her to jail. I wanted to give her a hug.