User Reviews

An itinerate faith healer named Bohannan arrives in Dodge City and meets residents Lydia Walden and her son Heck. Heck suffers from a likely-terminal, hereditary, degenerative bone disease -- the same illness that claimed his father's life seven years earlier. When Lydia sees Bohannan "heal" Nathan Burke's injured arm, she quickly develops some measure of hope for Heck.

Bohannan takes a special interest in Heck's case, and genuinely wants to help the boy. To say Doc Adams is skeptical is an understatement. Doc understandably thinks Bohannan is a con man out to give people false hope in exchange for whatever money they give, but as the situation further develops, he begins to rethink his position.

Talented actor Richard Kiley appeared in four different Gunsmoke episodes, and he always provided an outstanding performance. Including his part as Bohannan in this story. Linda Marsh returns to Gunsmoke for the second and final time. She had previously appeared in Season 17's "Hildago" story. In this episode, she portrays Lydia Walden. Vincent Van Patten makes his first Gunsmoke appearance in this story as the Heck Walden character. Van Patten would appear once more in a Season 19 episode of the series.

Actress Helen Kleeb plays Dorcas Wentzel, one of Bohannan's healing triumphs, in her final Gunsmoke appearance. She had appeared in three earlier episodes. Kleeb was best known for her role as Mamie Baldwin, one of the two moonshine making Baldwin sisters, on The Waltons.

Since Season 18 began with the two-part The River story that only featured the Matt Dillon character from the regular cast, this is the first episode of the season set within Dodge City. Most of the regular cast, with the notable exception of the Newly O'Brien character, at least makes an appearance, although Milburn Stone's Doc Adams is the only character integral to the story.

This is an intriguing story that addresses the power of faith and hope when dealing with pain, illness, and disease. The theological implications do not bear scrutiny, but that is clearly not the point to the story. One of the keys to this story is that there is integrity in Bohannan's efforts. There is a definite "the ends justifies the means" element to the proceedings -- whether that is a good thing must be decided by the viewer.

Viewers looking for something different than the more traditional bad guys versus good guys story should be pleased with this entry in the series. Kudos are warranted to writer William Kelley, director Alf Kjellin, and the producers for taking an unexpected approach with this material.

I watched this episode today for the first time in a long while and found it extremely touching and interesting. Richard Kiley as "Bohannan" always gives a good performance and guest starred a number of times on "Gunsmoke" but he gives one of his best here. He portrays a faith healer who is placed in the position of healing a terminally ill boy he befriends.

I found this episode engrossing because it keeps you guessing as to whether or not "Bohannan" is a fraud or an actual healer.

The end of this episode was gut wrenching. The writing and directing was excellent. Milburn Stone as Doc Adams was excellent as a skeptic who eventually changes his opinion of Bohannan's faith healing.

I was totally amazed how well written Bohannan was, This episode was not full of cliche's nor stereotypes. Richard Kiley and Milburn Stone deserved Emmy's for their performances as well as writer William Kelley. I am not nor ever will be a Religious man but I am a strong believer in Faith. I admit this episode will generate tears of joy. I cannot put into words how outstanding sometimes the positive power of Television can be without being manipulative.

This is perhaps the best written and best acted episode in the entire collection of the series as a faith healer rides into Dodge. This may not be the most interesting subject for some viewers but if you watch you will be rewarded with a fine moral and heart-warming story that makes this episode an excellent watch.

Richard Kiley plays Bohannan who is the faith healer that makes people believe that he can heal people by laying hands on them in God's name. This does not set too well with Doc Adams because he believes that Bohannan is using people for his own publicity. But in town there just happens to be this young boy named Heck Walden that has just developed symptoms of a bone disease that killed his father. The prognosis for the child is death.

Now there is conflict between Doc Adams and Bohannan when the mother (as any parent would do) asks Bohannan to heal her son even if it cost her money. Her child, Heck, as always wanted to see the mountains and his mother wants him to live long enough to experience life. With all this going on around the boy, us viewers will know that we have experienced a special show by the time the episode ends.

This is a powerful and surprising episode that does not follow the normal route for the suggested plot. With some of the best acting, that really brings the characters to life, this episode was entertaining to the very end. Even if the plot does not excite you viewing interest, the way the show ends is worth the watch. Excellent show.

One of the most poignant Gunsmoke episodes ever! The script is so complex and nuanced that the viewer is guessing throughout that there is something different at work here, but remaining unable to put the pieces together until the end. And that ending is so emotionally powerful and refreshing, that one wishes to convey the details, but refuses as it would be a disservice to those who have not seen it.

Characters are presented without stereotyping. All have a real sense of duty and integrity, and it is nice to see the conflict wind its way through devoid of intellectually lazy falsities.

Doc's explanation to Bohannan near the end is outstanding and a perfect explanation for the positive role being played in faith. In its own way, the episode also reveals how only someone of intense morality and humility can practice such acts without turning it into an instrument of harm or amoral exploitation.

I don't know that any series in TV today would have the guts to tell a story like this one, and as a society we are the poorer for it!

I watch Gunsmoke every weekday. Today's episode "Bohannon," was SO GOOD, that I googled the actor who played Bohannon. However, the entire episode was the best I'd EVER seen, and I love Gunsmoke. ...for its writing., characters, Ol' West, wagons, horses, the whole nine! I didn't know if he was charlatan or a real faith healer. I still don't. But the mother, the son; Doc, well, the whole thing brought tears to my eyes. What a Great Gunsmoke!! Loved it!!! I think it the best one I've ever seen!

All I can do is echo the praises of kfo9494. This is by far the best written, with some of the best acting the series has seen. Bravo!

Couldn't disagree more with the other reviewers. This was certainly not "the best" episode of Gunsmoke. Not even close!. I love this series. But this episode was way too sappy and cheesy. This was just a cheap attempt at trying to make people emotional. Kinda like a bad soap opera.

Also, they should have found someone else to play the faith healer role. Richard Kiley usually does a good job, but I thought he wasn't convincing in this role. He doesn't seem like a 19th century faith healer type of guy to me.

On a positive note, I was very impressed with the performance of Linda Marsh. She played the role of a desperate mom very well. It was the only good thing about this episode.