Laredo is the Christmas episode for 1957, and it divides the episode run time into 2 parts - a holiday theme with a needy family whose father has been wounded, and a gun smuggling plot. As a result the episode isn't what one could call epic in any way.
Jim Hardie is investigating a gun smuggling ring in Laredo, and the company is under suspicion as being complicit in the crime. The local population is mostly poor, and has little to no choice but to cooperate with the gunrunners. After Hardie discovers a load of shovels is actually guns, he arrests the gunrunner and sets his eye on a bigger fish, the leader of the operation, so he allows the boxes to be delivered, but with shovels. When a local resident who was ordered to pick up the guns finds the boxes contain only shovels, the gunrunners - realizing the game is up - shoot him and steal the money for the guns. Hardie attends to the wounded man's family in their time of need while attempting to investigate the smuggling ring.
Since the Christmas theme is an equal part of the plot, there's not a lot of time for much intrigue. As a result the gunrunning plot is wrapped up quicker and neater than a present under a trimmed tree, leaving time for the Christmas miracle, dinner celebration, and gift giving.
The wounded man's young son Pepito is outspoken and brave, and shows no hesitation to stand up to the smugglers while searching for his wounded father. I'm still trying to figure out if this relates to Christmas in some way. But the young boy sure seemed to have a strong moral compass.
The cast is not very well-known other than Karl Swenson. He appeared in a few John Wayne pictures - including North to Alaska, Daktari, and The Sons of Katie Elder - but with some other notable appearances as well, such as The Birds. The rest of the cast are unknowns or bit players.
Not a bad episode but definitely in the lower tier, as are most Christmas episodes. Nevertheless, despite not having too much to offer, ToWF is a good example of the EWIBIG principle...Even When It's Bad, It's Good.
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