This is a good episode if not a fav of mine. The plotline isn't really anything new as it's your typical epidemic thriller but I like those as we see for once Lucas dealing with an enemy he can't shoot down with his riffle. And this kind of plotline has been done in many more shows after this one like an similar episode in "The Young Riders" but that one is a different story. But all the same it's good as it gets at a relevant subject matter on dealing with disease as well as sensationalism and mob mentality out of control.
The real disease is fear as we see one of the townsfolk Mr. Katts who unfortunately have nothing better to do with his life, both can be a deadly combination. He's one of those people that talk too much making him somewhat of a town gossip spills the beans about the couple Lucas helped despite having little to no facts, let alone having no business in the medical situation as he himself isn't a medical professional. It's kind of ironic what he says about Lucas and Hatte being stupid but that's exactly what he's being, and stupidity is unfortunately the first symptom of panic. This news then comes to you can say the villain of the weak Brett played well by Dabbs Greer whom you know as Reverend Robert Alden from "Little House on the Prairie". In this role he's not on the side of the angels as we see Brett is a thieving bum that is just dirty inside. He is using this as an opportunity to both rob the couple's wagon but also a way to make himself big again as he really has nothing outside of the war.
One moment also tries to slander Lucas for helping the couple and Lucas's character, I thought in the words of Veronica Sawyer from "Heathers" "Get a Job." Indeed, this guy is just wasting time, time he could use to go to another town to find work and a life.
Unfortunately, we see things get worse as most of the populous of the town gives into fear which makes them do and resort to the stupidest things. Like a teacher stupidly having Mark leave the school all because one person there got sick, even though Mark was never near the couple nor came back to him homestead under quarantine for days. As for the person sick it was probably something else entirely like food poisoning or overeating, but we are doing find this out until latter though we could have soon had the sick kid been checked out by the doctor which the teacher and school didn't think of doing. And the panicky citizens giving their trust to Brett whom by his nature is untrustworthy and is clearly taking advantage of all of them.
As we seen the townsfolk carrying on in the epidemic of panic are the real ones that are putting themselves in danger. The doctor strictly quarantined Lucas's place which meant if everyone continues to keep their distance, they'd be alright. But that's just not enough for people like Mr. Katts and others sick with fear which then turns to desperation as their all will the grasp on to easy solutions which we all know don't exist when dealing with disease. It all just shows why Panic really doesn't do any good because it makes people so busy building up with fear and ignorance, instead of getting down to the bottom of the truth.
Really like some of the final conflict at the end when a mob starts to invade Lucas's land, really like what Lucas says in a dialog with the Martial as Lucas brings out his trademark weapon. The Martial mentions their Lucas's neighbors but Lucas says my favorite quote, "No, I don't know them at all." I like that, to me any person that threatens and points a gun and weapon at innocent people or me is no ally or friend of mine, a threat against the lives of the innocent and myself will be dealt with accordingly, that's my policy. It even shows how badass Lucas is as he's not going to bend to a mob and panic but also the best way to kill panic is with the caliber of truth.
Rating: 3 stars.