...and pretty disturbing, at that.
With most "prestige" shows of the early '60's tackling racial issues, Gunsmoke, The "Adult Western" (which featured several stories with Indian/prejudice themes) REALLY jumped in with both feet in this episode.
I remember the scene with Quint tied up to the anvil in his shop in March, '63, when it was first broadcast, and it was pretty upsetting. Now, 58 years later, I watched it again and found it to be very well written and compelling.
The interaction of its many characters is well-plotted, and Matt-- after spending maybe just a LITTLE too much time at the checkerboard with Doc, takes off to find Quint and solve the various criminal activities that propel the plot.
The script really takes us into the dark side of Quint's resentment of the residents of Dodge. Even with the totally honest respect and warmth Matt, Kitty, Doc, etc feel for him, Quint knows down deep that he will NEVER be at home in Dodge, because of the all-too-real hatred that was an ingrained part of the American West.
The large cast of men includes a rare bad-guy performance by James Brown of "Rin-Tin-Tin" fame as the dufus Feeney, and the always fascinating, quirky presence of James Griffith as the weasely Bettis.
James Arness is his usual solid, stoic self, and really shines in the latter half of this show. Great to see him finally corner the scumbag Stope and threaten to thrash him, having reached the end of his rope. And then he shoots Feeney in the arm to show he's HAD IT with these jerks and will take no more of their crap.
The final scene with Quint and the Comanches is very sobering; I'd expect Quint to jump for joy and come to Matt's defense with his tribe members...but it really doesn't happen quite that way.
The wounds go deep, but Quint will stick around for another season or two, which is good news. BTW-- what is "Quint's Indian?" Is it possessive, or is it a contraction for "Quint IS Indian?" LR