"Star Trek" writer Gene L. Coon wrote this interesting episode of "The Virginian" called "Showdown." Were it not for the presence of future "Star Trek" star Leonard Nimoy as a deputy marshal and the generally high dramatic quality of the episode, "Showdown" probably wouldn't be memorable. As it is, Coon has appropriately the premise for his episode from the story of Wyatt Earp and the Clanton popularized in "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" and "Doc." During the first half of "Showdown," the characters of Marshall Merle Frome (Michael Ansara of "Guns of the Magnificent Seven") and his brother Benjamin Frome (Leonard Nimoy) keep the town of Monolith on a tight rein. Standing up to the grim-faced Merle Frome is a great way to get a gun barrel bent over your head. Indeed, Wyatt Earp was known to clobber—or 'buffalo'-- a rowdy adversary by reversing his six-gun and cracking a miscreant over the head with the barrel. When the Virginian (James Drury) arrives in town, Billy Landers (Tom Skerritt of "M.A.S.H.") meets him at the railway depot. No sooner has our eponymous protagonist set foot in Monolith than the Fromes descend on them. The Virginian doesn't take kindly to his reception and stands up to Merle.
Later, at the Landers' ranch, our hero hears about the ill will that the Fromes have instilled with this sullen attitude toward the townspeople. Meanwhile, the Virginian meets County Sheriff Jim Brady (Barry Kelly of "The Asphalt Jungle") and takes an immediate liking to the bluff fellow. Since the sheriff's jurisdiction lays outside of town, Brady is a prototype of Johnny Behan in the Earp versus Clanton feud. The Landers constitute the equivalent of the Clantons because they are rustling cattle. The Virginian has come to town to buy $5000 worth of steers. The Fromes impound his money and corral the Landers' cattle. They slaughter four beeves, skin them, and find evidence that the cows were rustled. Despite the fear and intimidation that they have created, The Virginian comes to realize that he has made a mistake.
Somebody has already tried to shoot Merle in the back and Benjamin rides out into the county to find Billy Landers. Merle roughed up Billy when the latter was harassing a saloon hostess, demanding the return of a necklace that he had bought her. By the end, the Virginian winds up taking a stand alongside the Fromes in a gunfight against the Landers. This is an intelligent and interesting episode. Moreover, it is fun to watch Leonard Nimoy in spurs and a Stetson.
Later, at the Landers' ranch, our hero hears about the ill will that the Fromes have instilled with this sullen attitude toward the townspeople. Meanwhile, the Virginian meets County Sheriff Jim Brady (Barry Kelly of "The Asphalt Jungle") and takes an immediate liking to the bluff fellow. Since the sheriff's jurisdiction lays outside of town, Brady is a prototype of Johnny Behan in the Earp versus Clanton feud. The Landers constitute the equivalent of the Clantons because they are rustling cattle. The Virginian has come to town to buy $5000 worth of steers. The Fromes impound his money and corral the Landers' cattle. They slaughter four beeves, skin them, and find evidence that the cows were rustled. Despite the fear and intimidation that they have created, The Virginian comes to realize that he has made a mistake.
Somebody has already tried to shoot Merle in the back and Benjamin rides out into the county to find Billy Landers. Merle roughed up Billy when the latter was harassing a saloon hostess, demanding the return of a necklace that he had bought her. By the end, the Virginian winds up taking a stand alongside the Fromes in a gunfight against the Landers. This is an intelligent and interesting episode. Moreover, it is fun to watch Leonard Nimoy in spurs and a Stetson.
