Blood Brother

"Blood Brother" is the 35th episode of The Rifleman Season One and the 35th episode overall. Directed by Arnold Laven and written by Pat Fielder based on a story idea by Chuck Connors, it aired on May 26, 1959.
==Synopsis==
Lucas McCain gives blood to save a dying man and is surprised by Micah's loathsome behavior toward the man. Then three men arrive from a nearby town and demand custody of the stranger.
==Watch==
==Plot==
While riding along the trail, Lucas and Mark discover a man named John Stoddard, bleeding from a gunshot wound. Stoddard urgently begs them to take him to North Fork before "they" catch up with him. Lucas and Mark bring him to Doc Burrage in North Fork.
At the doctor's office, Marshal Micah Torrance arrives and recognizes Stoddard. To Lucas's surprise, Micah angrily suggests that Doc Burrage should let Stoddard die and then leaves, visibly upset. Doc Burrage informs Lucas that Stoddard needs a blood transfusion to survive, and Lucas agrees to donate his blood.
After the transfusion, Lucas visits Micah, who is drinking alone in his office. Micah expresses his hope that Stoddard will die and tells Lucas he wasted his blood, but refuses to explain.
Soon, three men from Talbert City, part of a vigilante committee, arrive in North Fork tracking Stoddard. They demand that Stoddard be handed over, accusing him of killing a man during a card game and insisting that he must be hanged, despite Stoddard's critical condition.
Lucas returns to Micah's office, where Micah argues that they should let the vigilantes take Stoddard. After a heated discussion, Micah throws his badge down in anger and storms out. Lucas, now acting as marshal, confronts the vigilantes in the saloon, insisting that Stoddard will be delivered to them if he recovers or his body if he dies. The vigilantes reluctantly leave after Lucas quickly disarms them when they start to draw their guns.
Lucas visits Micah once again who is increasingly drunk. He finally tells Lucas why he hates Stoddard so much: Micah owned a farm with his wife Elizabeth when he was 22. A terrible growing season caused them to have to mortgage their entire farm for $200, but the money was stolen by John Stoddard, who was Micah's closest friend. John left a note saying he would return soon with the money doubled, but he never returned. Elizabeth soon fell ill, and Micah had to run to the town to get a doctor after selling his horse; when he returned, Elizabeth was dead. He blames Stoddard for causing them to lose their farm and Elizabeth dying alone.
Mark interrupts to inform them that Stoddard is dying and wants to see Micah. Stoddard hands Micah an envelope, saying he's been looking for him to tell him how sorry he is. Stoddard dies, and Micah opens the envelope to find the promised $400.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
*Micah Torrance - Paul Fix
===Recurring===
*Doc Burrage - Rhys Williams
===Guests===
*Jethroe - Richard Devon
*Cameron - Larry Perron
*John Stoddard - Max Wagner
*Smith - Kelton Garwood
*Harley - Ian Murray
Category:Episodes
Category:Season One episodes
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections