User Reviews

"Vindication" begins with a parched Johnny Yuma stranded in the desert without a horse, the result of an (unseen) Apache attack the day before. Transporting him to the next station is a passing coach occupied by a former Civil War captain, Paul Travers (James Drury, second of two), now retired after being blinded one year earlier during a previous Apache attack that left his young wife dead. Johnny needs a horse to recover his gear, hidden next to the grave of Captain Travers' wife, accompanied by the suicidal Travers himself, only recently released from his yearlong stay in hospital, both men wondering who would be leaving fresh flowers on the grave far out in the middle of nowhere. Meanwhile, the coach moves on to Lordsburg (shades of "Stagecoach"), aware that Apaches can strike at any moment. The stationmaster's wife is played by the lovely Martha Vickers, previously seen in "The Rattler," whose promising career never took off despite her best remembered role opposite Humphrey Bogart in 1946's "The Big Sleep." Sadly, the 35 year old, still beautiful actress made her final appearance in front of the camera in this television episode, and died of cancer in 1971. James Drury would keep busy for nine seasons on THE VIRGINIAN. William Bryant is back for the sixth of his nine episodes, Dan Sheridan in the third of his five.