Viney Stang and his Uncle Oliver make their way to Dodge City from some isolated place on the prairie. It is immediately obvious Viney has never been around many people. Uncle Oliver is older and slightly more worldly, but neither man fits into Dodge culture.
Viney's father recently died, and Uncle Oliver has promised to care for the tall, lanky, man-child. When they meet Matt Dillon and Chester Goode, Uncle Oliver decides Viney should work for Marshal Dillon and learn the law enforcement ropes. Matt makes it clear Chester provides all the help needed, which leads Viney to conclude Chester is in the way and should be eliminated. Chester is concerned, while Matt shrugs it off.
The situation becomes more serious when someone takes a shot at Chester and wounds the sidekick. Of course, Matt suspects Viney, but he has mysteriously disappeared. Marshal Dillon devises a plan that will hopefully catch the culprit.
Earle Hodgins plays Uncle Oliver in the first of four different Gunsmoke roles. Hodgins was already a veteran of the television western with multiple roles in pre-Gunsmoke shows like The Lone Ranger, The Cisco Kid, The Range Rider, and many others. Earlier in his career, Hodgins could frequently be seen in a plethora of those western films that were often shown during Saturday afternoon matinee double-features like Oregon Trail Scouts and Oklahoma Badlands.
Paul Wexler had previously appeared as one of Rose Daggit's abductors in the "Sins of the Father" episode from earlier in the season. He portrays Viney in this story. Wexler usually played menacing types of characters, and this role as the slow-witted nephew is something different for him.
Writer John Meston occasionally used the premise of someone unfamiliar with life in a more populated area visiting Dodge City and wreaking havoc of some sort. He would often incorporate bits of humor along with some drama. For example, Season 1's "Magnus" and "Tap Day for Kitty" both use a similar approach.
Hodgins and Wexler are two lesser-known actors who shine in this entertaining story with a nice mix of intrigue and humor.