In a world of "TV" westerns with characters like: "Cisco", "Poncho", "Tonto"; and, the "Masked Man" (of course). Broadcast Westerns of the late 1950s; and, into the 1960s, attempted to attract adult audiences (after the "baby boomer" children (they were real children then) were put to bed).
This episode's subject matter and principal themes, are in line with this attempt. A woman (not kidnapped by a raiding band of Indians, on the "Warpath"), is sought after by her otherwise devoted husband, who can't understand why she's not just left him. She's run-off, with not one; but three (3) men; brothers, no less. All of whom promptly start killing one another; over her attentions.
After she helps amputate her husband's leg, she discovers that she loves him; a little late, but better than never. Needless to say he comes to his senses after his episode in frontier surgery, and decides to part ways from her on the trail. But it's still the 1950s, so this morality tale still punishes infidelity and lust.
This episode's subject matter and principal themes, are in line with this attempt. A woman (not kidnapped by a raiding band of Indians, on the "Warpath"), is sought after by her otherwise devoted husband, who can't understand why she's not just left him. She's run-off, with not one; but three (3) men; brothers, no less. All of whom promptly start killing one another; over her attentions.
After she helps amputate her husband's leg, she discovers that she loves him; a little late, but better than never. Needless to say he comes to his senses after his episode in frontier surgery, and decides to part ways from her on the trail. But it's still the 1950s, so this morality tale still punishes infidelity and lust.