Average episode at best. Matt and Chester are part of a stage holdup in which a passenger is killed and one of the two masked bandits is wounded while a third hides out in the bushes. The three highwaymen ride off with the bags of gold for which the stage company subsequently offers a reward. Later, Matt thinks he recognizes one of the bandits in town, but how will he prove it, and how will he get the other two culprits and the company's gold.
Unfortunately the screenplay (Les Crutchfield) generates little suspense while the climactic final scene is neither well-staged nor very plausible. Too bad, the entry largely wastes the gaunt talents of veteran character-actor John Anderson as Yermo.
On the other hand, there is some good byplay with Chester. But he also bungles his assignment, which he often does during these early episodes. Nonetheless, that's also part of his unusual appeal. The audience, and Dillon too, are willing to overlook the failings because of his many endearing qualities. But it's not just the personal charm of naturalness or naive simplicity that wins us over. Chester also possesses two of the most important qualities any soldier-grunt or deputy can have-- he's loyal and steadfast no matter how difficult the circumstance. Matt appreciates this and counts on it. The audience knows it too. In fact, the slow-talking, backwoods innocent Chester Goode amounts to one of the finest, most unique character creations in the annals of American TV.