User Reviews

Good episode for little Johnny Crawford as his Mark McCain bonds with a mute young man also named Mark (Brad Weston; strong non-dialogue performance), who was raised by a group of Native Americans (which one isn't elaborated, although when Lucas mentions the Cherokee he reacts hostilely) that killed his family and used a knife on his throat so he couldn't speak (he didn't "speak their language" and they responded believing he was stubborn). Little Mark and mute Mark become friends as the former teaches the latter about how to write; in turn, little Mark learns of how to throw a knife efficiently. But an out-of-towner, McGowan (Richard Devon; I know him from the Twilight Zone episode, "Dead Man's Shoes") keeps "poking the bear" by provoking mute Mark's anger through challenges he never wins. Mute Mark knows how to protect himself and his self-defense/fighting techniques always leave McGowan on his back. Lucas tries to teach mute Mark how to let go of his burning hatred and aggressive tendencies so he can actually live a life without the weight of the past always leaving him wrought with pain. Lucas tells mute Mark of a school that teaches those like him how to write and read, learning and growing into a better life that he deserves, considering all he has endured over the past twenty years. A good story about what a friendly treatment can do for someone who has never received much of it. That and how two completely different people from different worlds and walks of life can bond and become friends. A solid piece of acting from Weston who tells us what he feels through his face; camera close ups are commonplace to accentuate what he's going through. Nicely antagonistic Devon as the culprit behind Mark's violent responses to his goading provides some fine examples of unveiling what the young man learned as a "captive" of the group that took him as a boy. Lucas once again proves here that he sees someone in need and has enough good will about him to help. Outfitted as a Native American, Mark instantly draws attention and that grabs the audience right away…having McGowan, drunk, racist, and vocally obnoxious, address him sets the episode off on a path that has us wondering how Lucas and his son would be involved. A stagecoach robbery, only committed by Mark to attain the money needed for the school, affords Lucas one last chance to talk to him, offering him a chance to make things right with those he stole from, and perhaps gain assistance in return. A "pay it forward" message that pleasantly leaves Mark with a bright future thanks to his new friends. A carved figure for young Mark is a sweet touch. Fine hour of western television.

THE RIFLEMAN – The Silent Knife – 1960

Chuck Connors headlines this 1958 to 1963 western series that ran for 168 episodes. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle. This of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble. This episode is number 88 of the run.

Chuck Connors is filling in for Sheriff Paul Fix while Fix is out of town on business. A young man, Mark Weston, fresh off the trail, is given a hard time because he never speaks. Especially rough on the lad is town bully, Richard Devon. Weston however is no pushover and drops the older man with a hip toss.

Of course Devon is not amused with being made to look like an idiot. He goes after the boy again and gets the same treatment, eating some dirt. Weston and Chuck Connors' boy, Johnny Crawford, strike up a friendship. It turns out Weston has a knife wound in the neck. He and his family had been captured by an Indian raiding party. Weston had been stabbed in the neck and lost his ability to speak.

While Weston is camping outside of North Fork, the very annoyed Devon pays him a third visit which again ends poorly for Devon. Now a series of events unfold that could end in the death of the boy. Connors steps up and calmer heads soon prevail.

Not exactly a barn-burner of an episode.