Chance Hopper is a drifter who has decided crime does pay. Despite the fact that he has spent some time in prison, he hasn't learned from the mistakes of his past. As he and his partners drift into Kansas looking for robbery opportunities, Chance hears stories about Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City. It just so happens Chance grew up on the same ranch as Matt. Matt is seven years older, and they have not seen each other since Matt was 17 and Chance was 10.
Chance decides to go to Dodge and visit Matt. He intends to pay a quick visit, but the situation changes when Chance breaks his leg while helping an elderly woman with an out-of-control wagon.
For some reason, Chance developed a sort of low-simmering hatred for Matt over the years. It makes one wonder what could have happened between the two in their younger years to trigger the bad feelings. There are small hints dropped throughout the episode. Matt makes a few comments about being an arrogant teen, and Chance drops occasional hints about Matt being someone that could never do anything wrong. Did Matt bully Chance when they were kids? After all, Matt called him "runt" at that time. Maybe the people that raised Matt and Chance compared the two frequently, and Chance resents that he has not lived up to the do-no-wrong image Matt has developed. Chance clearly views Matt as some kind of mythical symbol of perfection, and he has some kind of desire to prove he is better in some regard. Matt even tries to tell Chance that he (Matt) is "just a man."
We never really learn the full cause of Chance's bitterness, but it wanes over the course of the story, which is the strangest aspect of this episode. Ultimately, it is difficult to see Chance as much of a "bad guy." He repeatedly helps others, and he comes across as likable and friendly to Chester, Kitty, and Doc.
I think this episode is more about providing a glimpse into Matt's past, which was always a bit mysterious. I would like to have seen Chance return on occasion and to see his relationship with Matt develop. So much of the story is spent getting to know Chance, and then it just abruptly ends. This episode begs for a "part two" or a sequel.
As is often the case on Gunsmoke, the casting is excellent. Michael Forest might be a little *too* likable as Chance. John Anderson, who played countless roles in television westerns, usually as a bad guy, is one of Chance's partners, and Joseph Perry, another familiar face, is the other. Gloria Talbott has a key role as Hallie. Hallie is another character that seems underdeveloped here. Hallie's eagerness to abet the plans of Chance and his partners is intriguing.
In the end, this is not a bad episode, but it leaves the viewer wanting more. It is a rare case of a one-hour episode that needed more.