The half hour episodes are still the best and this one delivers. The Mingo sheriff is pure evil and it's never better than when Matt backhands a a bad guy across the face and says "Maybe I didn't like your answer!" Matt is actually Superman without a cape which which is why Gunsmoke rose to #7 in the ratings in season two and hit #1 the next year.
One thing some early episodes lack is any inclusion of Doc or Kitty. They have to get to the point so quickly there just isn't time for other cast members to make an appearance. Still, one of the fun things from the early shows is identifying other actors, like Mort Mills in this one. He appeared in many other shows, but did you remember him as the cop in "Psycho" who wakes up Janet Leigh along the roadside? Those non-star actors really got around.
One thing some early episodes lack is any inclusion of Doc or Kitty. They have to get to the point so quickly there just isn't time for other cast members to make an appearance. Still, one of the fun things from the early shows is identifying other actors, like Mort Mills in this one. He appeared in many other shows, but did you remember him as the cop in "Psycho" who wakes up Janet Leigh along the roadside? Those non-star actors really got around.