The Blowout

"The Blowout" is the 3rd episode of The Rifleman Season Two and the 43rd episode overall. Directed by James Neilson and written by Arthur Browne, Jr., it aired on October 13, 1959.
==Synopsis==
Newly arrived gunslinger Al Walker throws a mammoth party at the saloon, keeping acting Marshal Ben Waller busy until Lucas is forced to intervene.
==Plot==
The episode begins with a rowdy party in the streets of North Fork, where drunken men are recklessly firing their guns outside the saloon. Lucas McCain arrives in town with Mark, returning from Santa Fe, and learns that Marshal Torrance is out of town, with Ben Waller acting as the temporary marshal.
Ben informs Lucas that Al Walker, a notorious gunslinger, arrived in town earlier that day and has been buying drinks for everyone at the saloon. Lucas enters the saloon to confront Walker, where barkeep Sweeney exasperatedly explains that Walker gave him $500 to supply the town with alcohol and has been sitting alone, playing cards.
Lucas approaches Walker, who reveals between coughing fits that he was once a successful lawyer but turned to gunslinging after falling ill. He thought being a gunslinger would give him an easy way out instead of dying slowly from his illness, but thinking of he family, he decided he wanted to die with dignity in the presence of a doctor instead of on the streets. As such, Walker came to North Fork, hoping that Doc Burrage would issue a death certificate stating he died of natural causes.
Meanwhile, three gunslingers—the Porter brothers Jake, Ross, and Kid—enter town, intent on killing Walker in revenge for their brother Eddie, whom Walker killed during a bank robbery. Lucas overhears their plan and warns Walker, who admits to stealing the bank money after killing Eddie.
Walker initially wants to confront the brothers, but Lucas forcibly disarms him and locks him in the jail to keep him safe. The Porters then threaten to burn the town unless Walker is handed over. A shootout ensues, with Lucas, Walker, and Acting Marshal Waller ultimately killing the three brothers. However, Walker is mortally wounded during the fight. As he lies dying, he asks Lucas to ensure the doctor writes his death as due to natural causes.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
===Recurring===
*Sweeney - Bill Quinn
===Guests===
*Ben Waller - Hugh Sanders
*Al Walker - John Dehner
*Jake Porter - Howard Ledig
*Ross Porter - John Milford
*Kid Porter - George Brenlin
*Drunk - James Parnell
*Driver - Glenn Strange
Category:Episodes
Category:Season Two episodes
Category:Episodes where Micah is out of town
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections
Category:Episodes where Lucas kills someone