Average episode that, nevertheless, features a fine performance from Duggan as the kindly stranger.
Ornery homesteader Ben Stencil (Simon) works his long-suffering sister (Webber) half to death, while keeping her away from men who might take her away. In short, she's cheap labor. Trouble is a towering stranger arrives in Dodge who's both interested in Flora and unafraid of her brother. So what will Flora do now.
It's odd to see an actor (Duggan) as big as Arness; together they might be taken as brothers. The suspense comes from the growing tension between Stencil and the stranger, while Matt remains a bystander to what's basically a family matter. At the same time, writer Meston again shows exceptional concern for women on the frontier. In my view, the episode is damaged, however, by Simon's overdoing the mean brother bit.
Two incidental points-- I wish wardrobe hadn't outfitted Flora in such clean, well-pressed dresses. After all, she's supposed to be a homesteader. But then, Hollywood always had difficulty deglamorizing younger women regardless of the role. Second, there were three episodes in this season where Susan Morrow appeared as the winsome Melanie, apparently a potential romantic interest for Chester. For whatever reason, however, her role didn't extend further than these three.