Even with the melancholy ending, this episode hit a nerve that resounds through the entire series making this show one of the better in the entire collection. The way the episode leaves the viewer feeling for the forlorn character makes this an unusual ending, from the regular happy-go-lucky closures, that we usually get from the writers. In this your emotions run shallow as the camera fades to black leaving the viewer wanting more in order to find out the outcome of life.
The episode begins with Marshal Dillon getting struck in a blizzard while leaving Hays City back in route to Dodge. He stumbles up on a cabin where two outlaws have invaded and set up their little house of horrors by killing the man and making the woman, Belle, a slave to their every whim. Belle, from the bruises on her face, has been abused physically and mentally for some time. Even the viewer give the hint of sexual assaults that must have continued for more time that anyone, especially Belle, wants to remember.
The outlaws are set on killing Matt but wants it to look more like an accident than a murder. So they prepare a plan that will have Matt knocked unconscious and then left in the blizzard to die.
An excellent choice of actors brings the episode to life that includes Claude Akins, Harry Stanton and the wonderful Patricia Berry. With the script and the actors this show was bound not to fail. Excellent show.