User Reviews

As this episode began we are brought into the world of late 1800's west when life on a farm was hard especially for women. And with women thought of as cheap labor it was evident that some abuse took place even in rural setting of Kansas. In this episode it will be a brother that abuses his sister to the point of making her a slave to his every wish and whim. But it is not long before someone enters town that wants to put a stop to this woman's torture.

Andrew Duggan does an excellent job of playing Fos Capper a stranger in Dodge that refuses to carry a gun. One afternoon he happens to spot a young woman, Flora Stancil, trying to load heavy boxes. When Fos helps the woman, Ben Stancil Flora's brother, comes out and has harsh words for Flora and Fos. Ben even said he would kill Fos if he does not leave her sister alone.

But little does Ben know that Fos has a background and he may be picking with the wrong guy. And when Fos decides to take Flora away it will come down to Marshal Dillon giving his gun to Fos to take care of business. But will the business end the chance of a life with Flora.

It seems many viewers are not interesting in a episode that projects an abusive relationship. However, even today, things like this need to be brought out in the light and shown their true nature. An episode that may not be everyone's taste but a episode that was interesting to watch.

Obstinate farmer Ben Stancil treats his sister Flora more as an object he owns than a sibling, or even a human being. Flora is the cheap labor the title of the episode references.

When stranger Fos Capper arrives in Dodge City, he is attracted to Flora and plans to take her away from her life of slave labor. Stancil is furious at the prospect of someone taking something he considers his possession. Matt Dillon, Chester Goode, and Doc Adams are all observers of the developing conflict between the two men.

Andrew Duggan makes the second of his three Gunsmoke appearances as Fos Capper. Duggan's previous appearance was earlier in Season 2's "How to Cure a Friend" story. His third and final appearance does not occur until Season 10's "Gilt Guilt" episode. His character's strong, stoic demeanor is the backbone of the story.

Peggy Webber portrays Flora Stancil in this episode, which marks her only Gunsmoke part. Webber was known for her work in radio as a writer and producer while also pursuing a career in acting. She considered Jack Webb a close friend, and she can be seen in many episodes of the original Dragnet series, as well is the late 1960s.early 1970s reboot. Webber was married to actor Sean McClory in 1983, and they remained married until his death in 2003. McClory can be seen in several television shows of the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s, including two Gunsmoke episodes in later seasons.

Robert F. Simon plays his first role on Gunsmoke as the ornery Ben Stancil character. Simon appeared in seven episodes of the series, and he played an antagonistic character in every appearance, although some of the other roles were characters not as ornery as Ben Stancil.

Susan Morrow returns to Gunsmoke as the mysterious character known only as Melanie. The character first appeared in the "Last Fling" episode earlier in Season 2. She is clearly designed to be a romantic interest for Chester. In both episodes where Melanie appears, Chester encounters her walking through town. Chester's demeanor whenever he encounters Melanie is amusing.

James Nusser makes another Gunsmoke appearance as a character other than Louie Pheeters. His character is credited only as "Bum" in this story.

John Meston was a master of the tragedy and despicable, cruel characters with seemingly no redeemable values, like Ben Stancil in this story. It is refreshing to occasionally see Meston provide a more hopeful story and a kinder character who is not treated brutally, as the Fos Capper character in this episode.

Average episode that, nevertheless, features a fine performance from Duggan as the kindly stranger.

Ornery homesteader Ben Stencil (Simon) works his long-suffering sister (Webber) half to death, while keeping her away from men who might take her away. In short, she's cheap labor. Trouble is a towering stranger arrives in Dodge who's both interested in Flora and unafraid of her brother. So what will Flora do now.

It's odd to see an actor (Duggan) as big as Arness; together they might be taken as brothers. The suspense comes from the growing tension between Stencil and the stranger, while Matt remains a bystander to what's basically a family matter. At the same time, writer Meston again shows exceptional concern for women on the frontier. In my view, the episode is damaged, however, by Simon's overdoing the mean brother bit.

Two incidental points-- I wish wardrobe hadn't outfitted Flora in such clean, well-pressed dresses. After all, she's supposed to be a homesteader. But then, Hollywood always had difficulty deglamorizing younger women regardless of the role. Second, there were three episodes in this season where Susan Morrow appeared as the winsome Melanie, apparently a potential romantic interest for Chester. For whatever reason, however, her role didn't extend further than these three.

This is one of the very few episodes that i remember as a kid. Even then it would've been a re run, it was made a decade before i was born. Anyhoo the main reason why i still recall it is Andrew Duggan aka Fos Capper. Not only was he that kind of masculine handsome that i prefer but gosh he was as big as the Marshal! And back then, he was quite the white knight hero, saving that poor damsel in distress! 'Course nowadays i'd far rather see the damsel kick her bully brother's ass herself! Guess it sounds trite to say but times certainly have changed over the years. Glad i was here to witness it!