An old "friend" of Heath's arrives looking for him. It turns out this friend once left Heath and another young man in the desert to die, and the other man did die. The "friend" is shot by a couple deputies and the Barkleys take him in, much to Heath's despair and disapproval, but Jarrod won't let the deputies have the wounded man without checking out what he is wanted for. The town where he is wanted is notorious for being under the rule of a "boss" named Coulter. Heath leaves the ranch to grumble in town. Jarrod goes off to the town where Heath's "friend" is wanted, to find out what is really going on before he has to turn the "friend" over to the law.
Of course, Jarrod is not welcome in the town, and when he is beaten up and does not telegraph home as he promised he would, Nick manages to coerce Heath into going to look for their older brother. Jarrod is just about to get killed when his brothers show up and save him. The choreographed shooting of the bad guy by all three brothers didn't sit well with me - a bit too choreographed - but in the end, Heath learns his "friend" is innocent of the charges against him and has come to repent and beg forgiveness.
Boss Coulter gets his comeuppance - something more gratifying to see today than it was in 1966. Jarrod's thirst for the truth is quenched. Heath comes to understand and forgive and is reunited with the family. Not a brilliant episode, but it does explore newcomer Heath's way of looking at things, how it collides with big brother Jarrod's, and what each one is ready to endure to do what he thinks is right.
Of course, Jarrod is not welcome in the town, and when he is beaten up and does not telegraph home as he promised he would, Nick manages to coerce Heath into going to look for their older brother. Jarrod is just about to get killed when his brothers show up and save him. The choreographed shooting of the bad guy by all three brothers didn't sit well with me - a bit too choreographed - but in the end, Heath learns his "friend" is innocent of the charges against him and has come to repent and beg forgiveness.
Boss Coulter gets his comeuppance - something more gratifying to see today than it was in 1966. Jarrod's thirst for the truth is quenched. Heath comes to understand and forgive and is reunited with the family. Not a brilliant episode, but it does explore newcomer Heath's way of looking at things, how it collides with big brother Jarrod's, and what each one is ready to endure to do what he thinks is right.