Ep 2. Two Graves for Swan Valley

Bat Masterson season 1 episode 2, titled "Two Graves for Swan Valley," follows Bat Masterson as he travels to Swan Valley to investigate a string of murders. Upon arriving in the town, Bat meets Sheriff Emory and the two men begin working together to solve the case.

The first murder victim is a local rancher named Hank Arnold, who was shot in the back while on his way to town. As Bat and Sheriff Emory investigate Hank's death, they learn that he was involved in a land dispute with another rancher named Jim Parnell. Hank's death seems to have ended the dispute, as Jim suddenly drops his claim to the land and moves away from the area.

However, the peace is short-lived as another murder occurs in the town, this time targeting a well-respected member of the community named Cyrus Gurney. Cyrus was a retired judge who had recently relocated to the area with his daughter, Lila. Both Cyrus and Lila were well-liked by the townspeople, and the murder sends shockwaves throughout Swan Valley.

As Bat and Sheriff Emory continue their investigation, they discover that Cyrus Gurney might not have been the intended target of the killer. Instead, they suspect that the murderer was actually after Lila Gurney, who had been receiving threatening letters in the weeks leading up to her father's murder. With this new information, Bat and Sheriff Emory work to protect Lila and try to lure the killer out into the open.

The case takes a surprising turn when it is revealed that the killer is none other than Jim Parnell, the same rancher who was involved in the land dispute with Hank Arnold. Jim had been targeting Hank and Cyrus because they were getting in the way of his plans to control the entire valley. With Hank out of the picture, Jim had turned his attention to Cyrus and Lila.

In the end, Bat Masterson is able to apprehend Jim Parnell and bring him to justice for his crimes. Swan Valley is left to reckon with the impact of the murders on their small community, but Bat's presence provides some comfort and reassurance that justice has been served.

Overall, "Two Graves for Swan Valley" is a thrilling episode that explores themes of greed, power, and revenge. Bat Masterson proves himself to be a skilled investigator and a master of strategy as he works to uncover the truth behind the murders and protect Lila Gurney from harm. Fans of westerns and crime dramas alike will appreciate the suspenseful storyline and compelling characters in this episode.