The Challenge

"The Challenge" is the 28th episode of The Rifleman Season One and the 28th episode overall. Directed by Lewis Allen and written by David Victor and Herbert Little, it aired on April 7, 1959.
==Synopsis==
An escaped criminal takes Micah Torrance and Hattie Denton hostage to prove to himself and everyone else that the years he spent in prison haven't softened him.
==Watch==
==Plot==
Lucas, Mark, and Micah are in Hattie's store when a gang of three outlaws led by Jake Pardee enters and holds the place up. They take Micah and Hattie hostage and force everyone else out of the store. Jake, who just escaped the state penitentiary after serving 5 years, is determined to prove to himself and everyone else that the years he spent in prison haven't softened him and he still has what it takes to be a ruthless outlaw.
Jake tells Lucas that he and his gang are here for supplies and they will hold Micah and Hattie hostage, and will kill them if anyone gives the gang trouble. In the store, one of Jake's men known as the Professor criticizes Jake for this needlessly flamboyant gesture, and the other, Jake's brother Dave, suggests they bail once learning that Lucas is the Rifleman. Jake insists they continue because he must find out if he is the same man he was before he was locked up, or if prison made him a coward.
The citizens of North Fork convene and appoint Lucas as acting marshal. Lucas suggests that they hold out and wait for Jake and his men to release Micah and Hattie on their own.
After waiting for countless hours, Jake exits the store and calls Lucas over, ordering him to a shootout the next morning, threatening to kill Micah and Hattie if he doesn't show. Lucas arrives on time and the two walk into the street for their shootout. At the critical moment, Jake starts whimpering and falls to the ground, crying, realizing with horror that the years he spent in prison have turned him into a coward after all. Watching from the window, the professor shoots and kills Jake, leading Dave to shoot and kill the professor. Dave, now alone and aimless, begs Jake for instruction. Remembering that Jake had told him to kill the Marshal, Dave raises his gun at Micah, but is talked down by Lucas. Lucas enters the store and frees Micah and Hattie.
==Cast==
===Main===
*Lucas McCain - Chuck Connors
*Mark McCain - Johnny Crawford
*Micah Torrance - Paul Fix
===Recurring===
*Hattie Denton - Hope Summers
*John Hamilton - Harlan Warde
*Sweeney - Bill Quinn
===Guests===
*Jake Pardee - Adam Williams
*Professor - Les Tremayne
*Dave Pardee - John Durren
*Sam Weltz - John Maxwell
*Hanneberry - Ian Murray
*Cowhands - Mel Carter and Mike Harris
Category:Episodes
Category:Season One episodes
Category:Episode pages with completed plot sections