Have Gun Will Travel Season 1 Episode 4
The Plot of Have Gun Will Travel Season 1 Episode 4
"Six-up to Bannach" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American Western television series, "Have Gun Will Travel." The episode was written by Sam Rolfe and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. The storyline follows Paladin (Richard Boone), a professional gunfighter and a man of refined taste, as he is hired by a bartender to kill a notorious outlaw named Bannach, who has terrorized the town of Frenchman's Bend for years.
Paladin accepts the job and sets out to track down Bannach, who has a reputation for being a ruthless killer. Along the way, Paladin meets a group of men who have formed a posse to hunt Bannach down. Paladin joins the posse and helps them to track down Bannach, but the posse's leader, a man named Curry, is more interested in avenging his brother's death than bringing Bannach to justice.
Paladin attempts to persuade the posse to turn Bannach over to the law, but they refuse. In the end, Paladin is forced to take matters into his own hands and confront Bannach alone. The final showdown takes place in a deserted town, and the outcome is uncertain until the last moment.
The Cast
The cast of "Have Gun Will Travel" includes:
- Richard Boone as Paladin
- Kam Tong as Hey Boy
- Hal Needham as Jacob Curry
- Hank Worden as Lem
- William Schallert as Morgan Bannach
- Robert F. Simon as Sheriff
- Jeanne Bates as Mona
The Themes of the Episode
The fourth episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" deals with some of the central themes of the series. These include:
- Justice vs. Revenge: The posse in the episode is more interested in avenging a personal vendetta than bringing a criminal to justice. Paladin, on the other hand, believes in the rule of law.
- The Lone Gunfighter: Paladin is a solitary figure who operates outside of conventional society. He is a man of his own morals and is driven by a sense of duty.
- The Code of the West: Paladin operates according to a set of values that are often at odds with the law. He is a man of honor who follows his own code of conduct, which is based on fairness, justice, and respect.
The Reception of the Episode
The fourth episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" was well-received by both critics and audiences. The series was praised for its strong writing, memorable characters, and excellent performances by the cast. Richard Boone, in particular, was singled out for his portrayal of Paladin, which was seen as a departure from the typical cowboy hero of the time.
"Six-up to Bannach" was also notable for its use of location shooting and the high production values of the series. The episode was filmed on location in California, and the attention to detail in the set design and costumes was praised by critics.
Conclusion
The fourth episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" is a classic example of the Western genre. The episode deals with themes that are central to the series, such as justice, revenge, and the code of the West. The strong writing, excellent performances, and high production values make this episode a standout in the first season of the series. If you are a fan of Westerns or classic television, "Six-up to Bannach" is definitely worth watching.