The Rifleman
Overview
Set in the 1880s New Mexico Territory, The Rifleman features Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, a dedicated rancher, and Johnny Crawford as his son, Mark. The black-and-white series, known for its compelling storytelling, aired on ABC from September 30, 1958, to April 8, 1963, and was produced by Four Star Television. Notably, it broke new ground by depicting a widowed father raising his son, adding depth to its Western themes. Each half-hour episode captivated audiences with action, heart, and the challenges of frontier life in the town of North Fork.
Episodes
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1
The Sharpshooter
Lucas McCain and his son Mark move to North Fork, New Mexico, eager to begin anew. They find a ranch that catches their eye and is up for sale. To sec...
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2
Home Ranch
Two hired hands working for a wealthy cattleman confront Lucas, insisting he vacate his ranch, which they've been using for grazing. When Lucas stands...
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3
End of a Young Gun
Lucas finds himself sheltering Will Fulton, a young bank robber wounded while rescuing Mark. As Will recuperates at the McCain ranch, he experiences a...
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4
The Marshal
Micah Torrance, a former renowned lawman, arrives in North Fork in a disheveled state, clearly struggling with alcoholism. Despite his past, Lucas see...
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5
The Brother-in-Law
Mark's uncle, Johnny Gibb, a renowned rodeo star, pays a visit, much to Mark's excitement. However, Lucas uncovers that Johnny is evading the law afte...
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6
Eight Hours to Die
Judge Burton is determined to exact "Justice" on the Hangman, the man who executed his son, the Judge who condemned him, and Lucas, who apprehended hi...
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7
Duel of Honor
When an Italian Count comes to North Fork, his unusual clothing catches the eye of Groder, the local bully. In an attempt to amuse himself, Groder dam...
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8
The Safe Guard
Floyd Doniger arrives in North Fork, eager to begin anew. He’s secured a position as the bank's guard and is considering the possibility of establis...
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9
The Sister
After an extended trip, Rebecca Snipe is back in North Fork. Just before her stage departs, she catches a man mentioning his plan to head to North For...
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10
New Orleans Menace
Tiffauges, a wealthy and cruel Frenchman accustomed to having his desires fulfilled, sets his sights on acquiring the McCain Ranch. His right-hand man...
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11
The Apprentice Sheriff
While Micah is away, Dan Willard takes on the role of temporary marshal, but his strict enforcement of the law irks a group of Texas cowhands who have...
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12
Young Englishman
Lucas confronts the young foreman from a nearby ranch, accusing him of stealing one of his calves.
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13
The Angry Gun
After attending a cattle sale, Lucas and Mark are on their way home when their stagecoach is ambushed by three bandits, headed by the skilled marksman...
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14
The Gaucho
Rumson discreetly left the bill of sale at the bank, moving away from North Fork without revealing to anyone who purchased his property. Curge, whose ...
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15
The Pet
Ward Haskins shoots Joe Flecker, who possesses incriminating evidence that could potentially blackmail him. Haskins suspects that Lucas might have rec...
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16
The Sheridan Story
Frank Blandon, a one-armed drifter, arrives at the ranch, where Lucas offers him a job to help him and Mark feel better about their decisions. Soon af...
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17
The Retired Gun
Wes Carney and his wife, Clair, are eager to start a new life together and believe that North Fork could be the perfect place for them. Wes, a renowne...
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18
The Photographer
Abel Goss, the wedding photographer for Lucas, is in North Fork capturing a portrait of Mark in the street. Spotting Colonel Whiteside and his accompl...
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19
Shivaree
While traveling west, Aaron Pelser's wagon train stumbled upon two young boys on a buckboard and invited them to join the group. To Pelser's surprise,...
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20
The Deadeye Kid
McCain strikes up a friendship with Donnel O'Mahoney, a gritty teenager from Brooklyn. He makes arrangements for Donnel to travel with two men in thei...
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21
The Indian
U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart comes to North Fork in pursuit of renegade Indians believed to be responsible for the horrific murder of a Texas Ranger and ...
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22
The Boarding House
Julia Massini, who has turned her life around, now manages a reputable boarding house in North Fork. However, her former life as a card shark comes ba...
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23
The Second Witness
Lucas risks everything when he decides to take the stand in a murder trial, knowing that the initial witness was murdered before they could share thei...
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24
The Trade
Outlaw Sam Morley finds himself deeply in love with a young woman suffering from a grave illness. In a bold move, he approaches Lucas and requests tha...
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25
One Went to Denver
Lucas is thrilled to see his old friend Tom Birch, who had once rescued him from a dangerous situation. However, he remains oblivious to the fact that...
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26
The Deadly Wait
After being released from Yuma prison, Dan Nowry makes his way to North Fork with a singular purpose: to exact revenge on Marshal Torrance, the man re...
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27
The Wrong Man
Young Mark McCain is enthusiastic about assisting lawman Jay Jefferson, who has come to North Fork with a single-minded goal: to eliminate an outlaw f...
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28
The Challenge
After escaped prisoners take over the general store in North Fork and capture Marshal Torrance, Lucas springs into action to save the day.
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29
The Hawk
Young Mark successfully catches a hawk, but soon finds himself in peril when confronted by a rattlesnake. Just when things seem dire, a mysterious str...
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30
Three-Legged Terror
After a rowdy teenager causes chaos in a classroom, Lucas McCain, who serves on the North Fork school board, approaches the boy's hesitant uncle to re...
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31
The Angry Man
The McCains make an effort to be understanding toward their bitter neighbor, Abel MacDonald, who warns Lucas to steer clear of his property and forbid...
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32
The Woman
A baseless rumor spreads through North Fork, inciting a furious mob of townspeople to confront the town's outspoken feminist schoolteacher. The situat...
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33
The Money Gun
When Asa Manning's boss starts to doubt his integrity and suspects him of embezzlement, the bookkeeper takes a drastic step. He opts to hire a hitman ...
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34
A Matter of Faith
As a drought drives local cowboys to take jobs on a railroad construction site, railroad executives grow anxious that their crew might abandon them if...
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35
Blood Brothers
After Lucas McCain donates blood to help a man in critical condition, he finds himself puzzled by Marshal Torrance's unusual attitude towards the pati...
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36
Stranger at Night
When Mark discovers the body of a murder victim, it sets off a quest for answers involving his friend Artemus and Marshal Torrance, as they work toget...
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37
The Raid
After a group of rogue Apaches injure Lucas and abduct Mark, Marshal Torrance teams up with U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart to assemble a rescue party.
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38
Outlaw's Inheritance
Lucas serves as the town's representative on the railroad commission when an infamous train robber passes away, unexpectedly bequeathing his stolen fo...
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39
Boomerang
After the bank seizes the rancher's property due to unpaid mortgage, the rancher passes away, leaving his son to hold the banker responsible for his f...
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40
The Mind Reader
After a wealthy rancher is found dead, Mark proposes enlisting the help of a mind reader to uncover the identity of the killer.
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1
The Patsy
A band of outlaws hatches a scheme to eliminate Lucas, aiming to seize control of the town of North Fork for themselves.
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2
Bloodlines
Following Lucas's fatal altercation with a mountain man in a barroom brawl, his father shows up in North Fork, intent on seeking vengeance against bot...
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3
The Blowout
Al Walker, the new gunslinger in town, hosts an extravagant party at the saloon, which keeps acting Marshal Ben Waller preoccupied. As the festivities...
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4
Obituary
Byron Claremont, a journalist known for his in-depth profiles of legendary gunmen, has a controversial past—one of his articles led to the death of ...
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5
Tension
Gavin and Ezra Martin believe that Lucas is responsible for their son Clemmie's death during a train heist, but Lucas remains tight-lipped about the t...
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6
Eddie's Daughter
When the daughter of Lucas's friend, who works as a hotel clerk, comes to North Fork, she finds herself in danger as two mysterious individuals pose a...
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7
Panic
Brett Conway, a resident of the town, uses the fact that Lucas saved a young couple afflicted with yellow fever to extort him. With this knowledge in ...
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8
Ordeal
After their wagon malfunctions, Mark finds himself stuck in the desert with an injured Lucas.
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9
The Spiked Rifle
As Mark and his father work to safeguard Banker Hamilton's gold, Mark is suddenly taken hostage.
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10
Letter of the Law
When Micah is taken hostage, Lucas finds himself faced with a critical choice that could mean life or death. The kidnappers are relentless, insisting ...
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11
The Legacy
Lucas attempts to help the town's aging alcoholic, but his good intentions lead to unexpected trouble when the drunk's son mistakenly thinks he has re...
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12
The Baby Sitter
A singer from the dance hall turns to Lucas for help, asking him to look after her daughter as a way to keep the child hidden from her judgmental and ...
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13
The Coward
Lucas finds himself caught in a conflict between a hopeful author and an arrogant, boastful trail boss.
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14
Surveyors
After Mark's father doubts his account of eavesdropping on a bank robbery scheme, Mark decides to leave home. Feeling misunderstood and frustrated, he...
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15
Day of the Hunter
A renowned buffalo hunter challenges Lucas to a shooting contest, trying to provoke him into taking part.
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16
Mail Order Groom
When an outsider comes to wed the town's spinster, two brothers with their eyes on her property attempt to intimidate him with threats and a good old-...
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17
A Case of Identity
Mark is thrust into a perilous situation when two shady detectives arrive, insisting that he is the long-lost son of a man they are investigating. As ...
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18
The Visitors
Lucas becomes captivated by a young widow who is passing through town en route to secure her inheritance. However, her journey is fraught with danger,...
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19
The Hero
When a young stablehand takes down a infamous gunslinger, he finds himself confused by the townsfolk’s negative reaction to his claim for the reward...
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20
The Horse Traders
While passing through North Fork, a horse dealer with a valuable prize stallion falls prey to two con artists who attempt to swindle him out of the ho...
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21
The Spoiler
An older couple relocates to North Fork, using fake identities to conceal their connection to their son, a notorious murderer. Their scheme unravels w...
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22
Heller
After stopping a young girl from robbing the general store, Lucas discovers that she and her brother are conspiring to kill their cruel stepfather.
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23
The Grasshopper
While being transported on a train, a death row inmate overpowers a marshal, killing him in the process, and seizes Mark as a hostage.
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24
A Time for Singing
Mark uncovers that the new pastor and his spouse are actually frauds scheming to pull off a heist.
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25
The Deserter
Lucas and Marshal Torrance find themselves in hot water with the Army after they attempt to assist a young soldier who has deserted and is in need of ...
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26
The Vision
When Mark comes down with typhoid fever, he experiences a haunting vision of his deceased mother, which leads him to lose his desire to recover from t...
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27
The Lariat
Lucas is surprised when an old friend shows up in town, accompanied by a dubious gambler. Tensions rise as accusations fly, claiming that his friend h...
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28
Smoke Screen
A group of men is competing for the love of a rancher's daughter. However, when her lifeless body is discovered, one of the suitors is singled out as ...
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29
Shotgun Man
John Beaumont, the shotgun-wielding criminal whom Lucas put behind bars, is back and fueled by a desire for revenge.
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30
Sins of the Father
Following a self-defense shooting, Andy Moon seeks refuge with Lucas, fearing retribution from the man's angry siblings.
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31
The Prodigal
In an effort to please his bedridden mother, an outlaw coerces Lucas and Mark into participating in a charade, pretending that he is the rightful owne...
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32
The Fourflusher
A sharecropper decides to enter his colt in a horse race, believing that a victory could earn him the funds needed to purchase his farm from the landl...
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33
The Jailbird
After Lucas brings an ex-convict on board as a ranch hand, the newcomer quickly becomes the prime suspect when a robbery and murder take place nearby.
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34
Meeting at Midnight
Lucas lends a hand to his ex-Army captain, who is currently working as an undercover federal agent, as they attempt to penetrate a group of bank robbe...
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35
Nora
When Lucas heroically comes to the rescue of a stunning woman, he unexpectedly gets entangled in a murder investigation.
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36
The Hangman
A former prisoner finds himself accused of a horrific crime, even though he insists he has turned his life around.
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1
Trail of Hate
Lucas is driven by revenge when Mark becomes a pawn in a bank heist plot.
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2
Woman From Hog Ridge
After Lucas takes down a horse thief, he discovers that the criminal is actually part of the notorious Boyle clan. This revelation puts him in the cro...
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3
Seven
Seven death-row inmates break free and seize control of the town of North Fork.
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4
The Pitchman
When Mark discovers gold on their land, a smooth-talking salesman, who previously attempted to sell Lucas a lightning rod, shifts his focus and propos...
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5
Strange Town
Lucas follows an escaped convict to a town that unexpectedly harbors the gunman's brother, infamous for his reputation of ambushing his victims.
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6
Baranca
An outlaw leader tricks Marshal Torrance into leaving town, leaving Lucas as the sole person capable of preventing a lynching. The target is a local m...
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7
The Martinet
A retired army captain arrives in North Fork with a vendetta: he’s determined to take revenge on Lucas McCain, the man responsible for his son’s d...
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8
Miss Milly
The arrival of a new store owner stirs unrest in the community as he insists that everyone settle their credit accounts immediately.
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9
Dead Cold Cash
The wife of a bandit murdered by Lucas devises a twisted scheme for revenge.
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10
The Schoolmaster
Mark and his friend become trapped in an old mine.
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11
The Promoter
Lucas and Mark attempt to reform a con-man.
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12
The Illustrator
Lucas motivates a tipsy artist, who is facing murder accusations, to harness his creativity in order to uncover the real culprit behind the crime.
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13
The Silent Knife
Lucas and Mark make an effort to convince a young mute, who is facing persecution, to give back the money that was taken.
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14
Miss Bertie
An energetic elderly woman comes to town, determined to track down a famous outlaw and claim the bounty for bringing him to justice.
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15
Six Years and a Day
A physician is determined to get back at the individual he holds responsible for destroying his career.
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16
Flowers by the Door
Lucas reveals the identity of a murderer who has been masquerading as a door-to-door seed salesman.
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17
Long Trek
Lucas and Marshal Torrance find themselves in a precarious situation while attempting to transport a notorious killer to stand trial.
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18
The Actress
On his deathbed, an old friend asks Lucas to help find his long-lost love, prompting Lucas to journey to a nearby town. Determined to fulfill this hea...
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19
Face of Yesterday
Lucas is taken aback when he encounters a young man who bears an uncanny resemblance to someone he killed during the Civil War. The eerie likeness bec...
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20
The Wyoming Story (1)
Lucas accepts a position as a federal undercover agent, traveling to Wyoming to look into allegations of arms sales to renegade Native Americans. His ...
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21
The Wyoming Story (2)
Mark sets off for Wyoming in pursuit of Lucas, who is tracking down a gang involved in the illegal arms trade with the Native Americans. This marks th...
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22
Closer than a Brother
Lucas seeks clarity when Micah Torrence, a recovering alcoholic, relapses and decides to hand in his badge.
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23
The Lost Treasure of Canyon Town
In an abandoned town, Lucas, Mark, and Micah confront the Newman family and uncover the truth behind a two-decade-old mystery involving a missing gold...
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24
Dark Day at North Fork
After being blinded in an explosion, Lucas grapples with his overwhelming sense of hopelessness while gearing up for a confrontation with an armed foe...
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25
The Prisoner
Two former Confederate officers plot their vengeance against Lucas, who was a prison guard during their time in captivity.
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26
Assault
A salesman finds himself in deep trouble when he can't manage to talk his way out of facing an assault charge.
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27
Short Rope for a Tall Man
Lucas finds himself in a desperate situation as he's wrongfully accused of stealing a horse. With a vengeful lynch mob hot on his heels, he races agai...
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28
The Clarence Bibs Story
A former janitor has become a gunfighter, relying on a mix of sheer luck and boldness to maintain his hard-earned reputation.
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29
The Score is Even
After witnessing a murder, Lucas finds himself in a desperate situation when he is shot. Determined to seek assistance, he struggles to navigate the c...
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30
The Mescalaro Curse
Lucas finds himself in grave danger after serving as the foreman on a jury that convicted an Apache man. Now, with a target on his back, he must navig...
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31
Stopover
At Lucas's, tension rises when a whisky salesman and a gunfighter both find themselves captivated by the same woman.
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32
The Lonesome Bride
Two mischievous friends decide to send off for a mail-order bride, using Lucas's name as a joke.
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33
Death Trap
Lucas identifies Dr. Simon Battle as a former gunslinger with whom he shared a tense shootout in the past.
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34
The Queue
In North Fork, a Chinese father and his son confront discrimination as they work to establish their laundry business.
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1
The Vaqueros
A bandit imprisons Lucas and Mark.
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2
First Wages
Lucas sets out to uncover the reasons behind Mark's decision to work as a stableboy.
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3
Sheer Terror
Mark and Milly find themselves trapped in her general store as two armed robbers launch a bold heist.
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4
The Stand-In
Lucas finds himself in a precarious situation when two prison wagon drivers, frustrated by his refusal to provide them with additional whiskey, decide...
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5
The Journey Back
Mark begins his job with Will Temple, a rancher shrouded in mystery and marked by deep scars.
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6
The Decision
Corey Hazlett maintains his innocence regarding the murder charges, even in light of Lucas's account as an eyewitness.
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7
Knight Errant
Lucas attempts to convince a modern-day knight against charging headlong into combat.
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8
Honest Abe
Everyone finds Able Lincoln's assertion that he is the Great Emancipator to be quite entertaining, except for Matt Yorty, who remains unimpressed.
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9
The Long Goodbye
Lucas faces a significant challenge in his efforts to persuade young Woody Fogarty to go to school, as his determined grandfather, Grandpa Fogarty, st...
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10
The Shattered Idol
Mark Twain arrives at Southfork, but his presence soon creates a rift between him and the local residents. Despite his attempts to engage with them, h...
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11
Long Gun From Tucson
Lucas attempts to prevent the bitter John Holliver from unleashing his anger on the townsfolk who had banished him years ago.
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12
The High Country
Lucas finds himself in the crosshairs of a furious mountaineer seeking revenge.
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13
A Friend in Need
Mark unexpectedly becomes the reluctant sidekick of Carl Avery, a dangerous gunman.
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14
Skull
While trying to get assistance for an injured Mark, Lucas finds himself taken hostage by a group of outlaws. Desperate for a way out, he searches for ...
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15
The Princess
The Queen-to-be of France hides out in Northfork.
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16
Gunfire
When the anticipated sheriff from Denver fails to show up, a group of unruly gunfighters descends upon North Fork, stirring up chaos in the town.
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17
The Quiet Fear
Lucas's former Army friend moves to North Fork, bringing along his daughter who is deaf.
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18
Sporting Chance
An Englishman shows up, armed with a specially crafted rifle and a deadly intention: to take out Lucas.
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19
A Young Man's Fancy
Mark is experiencing the heartache of first love as the person he adores seems to be interested in someone else.
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20
The Man from Salinas
As Banker Hamilton prepares to close up for the evening, Rudy Gray manages to convince him to extend his hours for just one more transaction. However,...
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21
Two Ounces of Tin
Sammy Davis Jr. takes on the role of Tip Corey, the son of a man thought to have been killed in North Fork.
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22
Deadly Image
Lucas faces a major dilemma as his doppelgänger wreaks havoc throughout the town.
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23
The Debt
Mark discovers that the inmate Micah is guiding to the gallows is the very person who saved him three years ago.
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24
The Tinhorn
Mark is taken aback when he learns that his father is actually a poker player.
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25
None So Blind
Mark forms a friendship with Lafayette Bly, a talented singer and banjo player who happens to be blind. Lafayette's heightened sense of hearing is imp...
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26
Jealous Man
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27
Guilty Conscience
Micah is taken aback when Leota Carraway, a stranger to him, insists that he is her long-lost husband and the father of her child.
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28
Day of Reckoning
Lucas finds himself grappling with mixed feelings when he encounters the new preacher in town, who happens to be a reformed outlaw that the Rifleman h...
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29
The Day the Town Slept
In North Fork, trouble brews as the charming Ben Judson cunningly secures the position of marshal, turning the town into a refuge for criminals. With ...
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30
Milly's Brother
A seasoned soldier comes back, sharing stories of bravery and revealing what happened to Milly's brother during the Civil War.
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31
Outlaw's Shoes
After suffering a head injury, Lucas loses all his memories, with only a single hint to guide him: a gun belonging to an outlaw strapped to his side.
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32
The Executioner
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1
Waste (1)
On their way back from a cattle sale, Marshal Torrance, along with Lucas and Mark, suddenly vanishes without a trace. The duo sets out to find him, fo...
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2
Waste (2)
After Alphonso’s wife has her baby, the bandits keeping Marshal Torrance captive let their guard down. This creates an opportunity for Lucas and Mar...
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3
Lou Mallory
With her striking red hair, Lou Mallory makes her entrance in North Fork, quickly stirring up the curiosity and wariness of the local residents.
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4
Quiet Night, Deadly Night
The townsfolk prepare for the worst when a newcomer comes to town exhibiting signs of smallpox.
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5
Death Never Rides Alone
A lone gunslinger arrives in North Fork, seeking an audience with Lucas.
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6
I Take This Woman
Lou seeks an escape when the man her ailing father arranged for her to marry shows up.
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7
The Assailants
In North Fork, an assassination scheme takes shape when four gunmen, posing as cavalry soldiers, make their entrance. Their intended victim is Senator...
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8
Mark's Rifle
Marty Blair, the skilled marksman, attempts to convince Lucas to purchase a rifle for Mark.
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9
The Most Amazing Man
Wade Randall, a skilled fast-draw artist, isn't particularly eager to showcase his talent.
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10
Squeeze Play
A determined speculator is relentless in his pursuit to seize Lucas's property.
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11
Gun Shy
Mark is consumed by guilt following the accidental death of a close friend, believing that he could have prevented it. Struggling to cope with the los...
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12
The Anvil Chorus
A former blacksmith who has become the town's deputy stirs up tension by insisting that every resident surrender their weapons.
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13
Conflict
After missing a straightforward shot, Lucas starts to feel his self-confidence wane.
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14
Incident at Line Shack Six
A railroad gang boss frames an Apache.
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15
Suspicion
A peddler is implicated in a series of murders.
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16
The Sidewinder
Gridley Mau is on a mission to take down Lucas, the man responsible for his father's death during a botched robbery.
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17
The Sixteenth Cousin
A nobleman from Japan is driven by a desire for vengeance after his servant endures an insult.
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18
Hostages to Fortune
During Halloween, cattle rustlers exploit the festive disguises to carry out a raid on a ranch.
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19
And the Devil Makes Five
A snake slithers into Lucas's bed, prompting Mark to act quickly. He needs to draw the creature away before it can attack.
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20
End of the Hunt
To prevent Lucas from killing a longtime rival, he finds himself locked up in jail.
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21
The Bullet
Lucas is left perplexed when the marshal from a nearby town declines to detain a gambler who has just tried to commit murder.
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22
Requiem at Mission Springs
Lucas sets off on a journey to discover a remedy for Mark, who is left paralyzed following a serious accident.
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23
The Guest
Mario Arsatti, the new guy in town, quickly forms a close bond with Lucas. However, this friendship is nothing more than a facade, as Mario has been c...
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24
Old Man Running (aka The Wanted Man)
Lucas holds his father-in-law responsible for his wife's death and, consumed by anger, declines to assist the elderly man in escaping from the gunmen ...
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25
Which Way'd They Go?
The famously indolent Jackman brothers find out that their home has been foreclosed due to unpaid mortgage payments.
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26
Old Tony
Mark and his girlfriend Laurie stumble upon an elderly hermit who is feeling quite isolated.
