Gunsmoke Indian Ford (1955–1975) Online

This was one of those episode that was difficult to get you head around. Not withstanding the fact that they had Marshal Dillon talking in an almost staccato English language to Indians that understood English rather well- they also had him making silly hand gestures like saying the word eye and then pointing to his eye. It was like watching an almost comical sign language.

The episode centers around the daughter of Henry Tabor. Over a year ago his daughter Mary Tabor had been captured by Indians. Her whereabouts were unknown until a hunter spotted a white woman with some Indians about two day ride from Dodge.

As is the custom, in order to get the woman returned there has to be ransom of goods. Plus with it being in the Indian Nation the US Cavalry has to be involved. Much to the displeasure of Henry Tabor, the Cavalry sends the Indian hater Capt Benter. After objections from Henry, Matt agrees to ride with the Cavalry to make the exchange.

At first the Indian Brave Lone Eagle refuses to return Mary. But the Chief of the tribe makes sure that Mary is present for the ransom exchange.

One the way back to Dodge it is believe that the Cavalry is being followed. Capt Benter puts then entire troop on full alert as he believes an ambush may take place. And while Matt and Mary talk we find out there is more to the relationship between Mary and Lone Eagle than meets the eye (point to the eye).

This was not the most interesting script but the way the characters were played made you care about the people. With a mildly long middle part of the show- when the ending came it felt rushed. Too much time was spend exchanging the goods and too little was spent on the ending climax. It was over in a flash.

This is one of the least-stupid "white woman taken captive by Indians" stories I've seen. Of course, the ending /has/ to be a tragedy for all concerned (if Mary doesn't return, the soldiers will eventually return and take her by force, with great loss of life), but it's nevertheless disappointing that she doesn't stay.

The script suggests that some research was done. Matt points out that Mary is technically a slave, and as slavery is no longer permitted, the whites have a right to reclaim her. Matt shows his prejudice in assuming Mary would /want/ to return. It's only after she bares her heart to him that he finally admits it's her decision to make.

Whites -- including white women -- often "went native" when forced to live among the Indians. This was despite the fact that Indian men did not always treat them with the affection we think is appropriate for a man and a woman. (Of course, in this era white men tended to think of their wives as property.) This made Indian woman willing to marry white men, who (supposedly) treated them less-poorly.

Not a bad episode, just a slightly disappointing one, because the situation forces a predictable outcome, which is dramatically unsatisfying.

Oh, by the way... Matt is, indeed, using sign language, not just making funny gestures. Though Lone Eagle speaks passable English, Matt is presumably showing him the courtesy of using a language Lone Eagle knows well.