Ep 1. Showdown

Hoss and Joe are making their way back home to the Ponderosa from a cattle drive when they stop in the town of Mesa to rest. As they are enjoying their meal at a local saloon, they witness a stranger named Jim Leyton shoot and kill a man in self-defense. The man who was killed was a notorious gunfighter who had come to town to face off against Leyton in a showdown that day.

Leyton is arrested and brought before the judge, who sets a date for his trial. The judge also appoints Ben Cartwright as Leyton's defense attorney, much to the chagrin of the town's people who believe Leyton is guilty and deserve punishment for killing the gunfighter.

As the trial approaches, tensions in town run high. Many want to see justice done, while others believe that Leyton acted in self-defense and should be acquitted. The Cartwrights begin to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and discover that there is much more to the story than meets the eye.

Meanwhile, Leyton finds himself in a difficult position as the target of the dead man's vengeful brothers, who are determined to take matters into their own hands and seek revenge for their brother's death.

As the trial unfolds, the Cartwrights must dig deep to uncover the truth about what really happened on the day of the shooting. Their investigation leads them to uncover a web of lies and deception, and they realize that the stakes are higher than they ever imagined.

As tensions reach a boiling point in Mesa, the Cartwrights find themselves in the middle of a deadly showdown that will determine Leyton's fate and the future of the town itself.

In the end, the truth is revealed, and justice is served. But not without a high cost and many lessons learned about the nature of justice and the value of doing what is right, even when it is difficult.