The Sharpshooter

"The Sharpshooter" is the first episode of The Rifleman Season One. Directed by Arnold Laven and written by Sam Peckinpah, it aired on September 30, 1958.
This episode originally broadcast as Season 2, Episode 21 of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater on March 7, 1958. The cut used as the Rifleman pilot is slightly more condensed and lacks Dick Powell's introduction and bumpers.
==Synopsis==
Lucas McCain and his son Mark arrive in North Fork to buy a ranch, but when Lucas enters a turkey shoot contest to win the prize money to pay for it, they become entangled with the town's corrupt officials and a dangerous bet.
==Watch==
==Plot==
Lucas McCain and his son, Mark, seek a fresh start and discover a vacant ranch near North Fork, which they consider purchasing. They learn of an upcoming turkey shoot contest with a cash prize, which Lucas hopes to win to help finance the ranch. After speaking with Judge Hanavan, who manages the ranch's sale, Lucas enters the contest.
During their conversation, Wes Tippert and his nephew Vernon interrupt, with Wes pressuring Lucas to bet that he can beat Vernon in the contest. Lucas declines to bet but remains determined to win. Meanwhile, Mark tells Vernon about Lucas’s sharpshooting skills which earn him the nickname "The Rifleman." Sheriff Tomilson overhears and tells Judge Hanavan and Jim Lewis, a corrupt figure who controls the town. Jim keeps his bet on Vernon, but Judge Hanavan changes his bet for Lucas.
During the contest, Jim threatens Lucas that if Vernon doesn't win the match, he will have Vernon killed. Vernon and Lucas tie, leading to a tiebreaker. Jim gets Lucas's attention and covertly putting a gun to Mark; under threat to his son's safety, Lucas deliberately loses, allowing Vernon to win. This infuriates Judge Hanavan, who then retracts his offer to sell the ranch.
Wes confronts Jim for his winnings in the saloon, and Jim kills him. Vernon learns of his uncle's fate and wants to go to the saloon for revenge, but is stopped by Lucas, who takes matters into his own hands. Lucas faces Jim in a shootout, resulting in the deaths of Jim, his henchmen, and Carl Lamprey. Vernon aids in the fight and is wounded, ending his sharpshooting career.
As Lucas and Mark prepare to leave, Judge Hanavan reopens his offer to sell the ranch to Lucas and Mark, which they accept.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
===Recurring===
*Judge Hanavan - Sidney Blackmer
*Sheriff Tomlinson - R.G. Armstrong
===Guest===
*Vernon Tippert - Dennis Hopper
*Wes Tippert - Charles Arnt
*Jim Lewis - Leif Erickson 
*Carl Lamprey - Mickey Simpson 
*Nancy Hanavan - Kathleen Mulqueen
*Waitress - Virginia Aldridge
Category:Episodes
Category:Season One episodes
Category:Episodes where Lucas kills someone
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections