Bloodlines

"Bloodlines" is the 2nd episode of The Rifleman Season Two and the 42nd episode overall. Directed by Arthur Hiller and written by Arthur Browne Jr., it aired on October 6, 1959.
==Synopsis==
After a bar fight where one brother accidentally kills another while aiming at Lucas, their father arrives in North Fork to take revenge on Lucas and Marshal Torrance.
==Plot==
Marshal Micah Torrance detains a drunk named Henry, but agrees to release him if he accepts a job offer from Lucas McCain at his ranch. Suddenly, gunshots are heard from the saloon, where the rowdy Malachi brothers—Ben, Jud, and Stump—are causing a commotion. A confrontation with Lucas and Micah leads to a shootout, during which Ben accidentally kills Stump while aiming at Lucas. Jud and Ben swear that their father, Daniel Malachi, will take revenge on Lucas and Micah.
Micah locks up Ben and Jud, and Lucas and Henry head back to the ranch. A mysterious man, Daniel Malachi, arrives in North Fork searching for his sons. Micah informs Daniel about the incident and agrees to release Ben and Jud if Daniel pays for the saloon’s damages. Daniel pays but then attacks Micah, freeing his sons. They plan revenge against Lucas.
Daniel, Ben, and Jud head to the McCain ranch, where Daniel shoots and kills Henry, thinking he is Lucas. Lucas and Mark discover Henry’s body and learn from Sweeney that the Malachis assaulted Micah. Lucas finds Micah injured in Doc Burrage’s office and they set out after the Malachis.
They track the Malachis to an abandoned salt mine, where another shootout occurs, killing Jud. Micah comes up with a way to use the salt from the mine to incapacitate Ben and Daniel, causing them intense pain and making them unable to continue fighting. Lucas and Micah bring the captured Malachis back to North Fork in handcuffs, concluding the episode.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
*Micah Torrance - Paul Fix
===Recurring===
*Sweeney - Bill Quinn
*Doc Burrage - Rhys Williams
===Guests===
*Ben Malachi - Christopher Dark
*Jud Malachi - Warren Oates
*Henry Trumble - Denver Pyle
*Stump Malachi - John Durren
Category:Episodes
Category:Season Two episodes
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections
Category:Episodes where Lucas kills someone