"The Rifleman" The Assailants (TV Episode 1962) Poster

(TV Series)

(1962)

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8/10
An episode filled with action.
kfo949421 September 2015
In this episode, Lucas is head of the local Cattleman's Association and they are backing Senator Borden because he is supporting that the New Mexico territory become a state. And it just so happens that the fine Senator is making a visit to North Fork.

But there are some that do not want statehood for the territory and plan to stop Senator Borden by assassination. And they hatch a plan that will help them accomplish their dirty deed.

A group of men disguise themselves as Army officers with the intent of protecting Senator Borden. They even get a hotel room so that they can protect the Senator at all hours of the day. But they are really out to kill the Senator with help from a Gatling gun. The men are going to have to try hard not to give away the fact that they are not army men. With Lucas around it is going to prove difficult.

This was actually a nicely written script. It seems the writer let the entire cast contribute to the story with even Mark getting into the action. Having seen this episode a number of times, it still made for an interesting watch. Good to see such tight scripts written so late into the series.
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8/10
A planned Killing
gordonl568 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
THE RIFLEMAN – The Assailants - 1962

This is the 149th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.

North Fork is getting ready for the visit of US Senator, Edward Platt. The man is coming to talk about statehood for the New Mexico Territory. A group of soldiers ride into town bringing with them a large wooden crate. They check into the hotel and request rooms facing the street. Townsfolk assume that they are the honour guard for the next day visit of Senator Platt.

That would of course be too simple. They are really here to assassinate the Senator. They are part of a group who oppose Statehood. Running into the soldiers in the hotel dining room, Chuck Connors notices something odd about the men. He passes on his concerns to town lawman, Paul Fix. Connors then rides off with a group of men to meet the Senators stage. Fix, just to cover all bases, decides to cable the nearest army post to see if they had indeed sent the troops.

Before he can do this, one of the soldiers pulls iron and takes Fix and the telegraph man prisoner. They put everyone under watch as they wait for the Senators stage to show. They now open the crate they brought and set up a Gatling gun. They intend to give Senator Platt a hot welcome when he reaches town.

Needless to say the plan hits a snag when Connors' boy, Johnny Crawford stumbles onto the plot. He manages to get off a warning just as the stage arrives. Guns flash and the Gatling plows up the main street with a barrage of lead. The superior marksmanship of Connors however wins the day.

The counterfeit soldiers were played by, John Milford, Steve Marlo, Noam Pitlik and William Bryant.
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8/10
The Rifleman takes on a Gatling gun
ebertip16 October 2019
Platt (The Chief in Get Smart) plays a senator targeted for assassination. The bad guys have a Gatling gun (magically transported to the second floor of the hotel) . Lucas with help from Mark takes them on. Platt's great voice is used effectively in one scene.
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10/10
The Chief is the Senator
hines-200027 January 2021
Great to see Ed Platt in this episode. Well written and well played with Johnny Crawford in a big role for a change. Of course he wants a rifle but Paul Fix gives him a slingshot instead. The troops are in town but Chuck Connors has his suspicions and Lou Malloy doesn't fully appreciate the advances of one of the men. North Fork backs statehood and they may give the senator a warm welcome in more ways than one. Lucas, Mark and Micah are superb in this great Rifleman episode.
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7/10
Good episode but....
Bills351122 January 2020
Hard to believe Mclane would successfully overpower a Gatling gun one on one with his own rifle. And McLane does not break the 4th wall in the opening credit.
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