Gunfighter

**Gunfighter** is episode 2 or season 1, and the second episode of The Young Riders as a whole. It follows Jimmy as he struggles to come to terms with his ego and trigger-happy nature.

## Plot

Riding into a town, Cody bares witness to a hitman gunning down his target with foolhardy confidence. The hitman, John Longley, is reputed to have killed a hundred men. The riders discuss it over dinner while Lou admires Emma's watch - a watch she inherited from her father.

The next day, Jimmy makes a show of shooting a rattlesnake, but is nearly bitten by another one. Buck impales it with a knife throw, cautioning Jimmy - "Remember, Hickok - there's always one more waiting." Later that same day, John Longley rides into Sweetwater.

That evening, while trying to sleep, Jimmy has a night fright after remembering how his father abused his mother. To get it off his mind, Jimmy takes the next mail run that morning. Along his route he crosses paths with Longley, spooking his horse and causing him to get thrown in the mud.

While the riders are browsing Sweetwater's general store, Longley's gang recognizes Jimmy's palomino outside. Determining that Jimmy is the one who spooked his horse, Longley demands an apology. Jimmy smugly refuses. Longley asks again, saying that either Jimmy can apologize of step outside so he can "exact restitution". Jimmy refuses again, stepping outside. The two square off, but The Kid knocks Jimmy out before either can shoot. Marshal Sam Cain approaches the scene as the riders drag Jimmy off. Longley makes it clear that he has a bone to pick with Jimmy.

The riders get Jimmy back to the station hogtied in the back of a horse cart, confiscating his gun. He and The Kid get in a fight, but are broken up by Emma and Teaspoon. Teaspoon sits Jimmy in front of a firing in the station's drying hut and has a talk with him, explaining that Jimmy needs to learn to control his temper.

Back in Sweetwater, Sam is visited by an old friend, Ludney Bryan. Ludney is on the run from Longley, and has his young son, Little Sam, with him.

At Sweetwater Station, Jimmy and The Kid practice shooting with bottles and cans. Jimmy is still determined to face Longley. The two are surprised by the arrival of Little Sam and his father. Ludney makes small talk, warning Jimmy about relying too much on his gun - "The better you get, the more you have to use it."

Emma rides into town to talk with Sam, concerned for Jimmy's wellbeing. Sam agrees to look out for Jimmy, but doesn't want to run Longley out of town, leaving Emma frustrated. Correctly guessing that Longley is staying at the hotel, Emma goes to meet him. The two have history, but it's clear whatever relationship the two once hand was one-sided and abusive. Emma offers to pay Longley to leave Jimmy alone, but the only payment Longley will accept is Emma's watch and an apology from Jimmy.

Emma is insistent that Jimmy apologizes, but Jimmy still pushes back. However, Emma eventually gets through to him, and Jimmy agrees to apologize for her.

As Ludney and Little Sam ride their horse cart into town, one of Longley's men spots them. Longley confronts Looty as they leave Sweetwater's general store. Telling his son to run and deliver a cigar to Marshal Cain, Ludney faces Longley and looses. Sam confronts Longley, warning him to be gone by sundown.

While the riders are taking a break from building a fence at the station, Marshal Cain rides up with Little Sam, asking if the boy could have a bed for the night. Per Ludney's request, Little Sam catch the next stage coach in the morning to live with his mother's kin in St. Louis. Little Sam asks Jimmy if he'll shoot the man who killed his father. That night, Jimmy rides out.

Jimmy confronts Longley in town, asking for Emma's watch back. Jimmy apologizes, but Longley does not accept it, asking Jimmy to shine his boots as well. The Kid and Cody hide in the shadows with their guns. Despite Jimmy having apologized, Longley wants to face off anyway. As the two stand, Cody notices one of Longley's men about to shoot Jimmy from a window and guns him down. In the ensuing confusion, Longley misses and Jimmy kills him. Jimmy takes back Emma's watch and the boys go home.

Jimmy gets the watch back to Emma. She is initially upset with Jimmy, but forgives him in time.