Ep 1. Meet Cheyenne

Cheyenne is a western television series that premiered on September 20, 1955, on ABC. The show follows the adventures of Cheyenne Bodie, a former scout and cowboy who wanders the American West in search of work and adventure. In the first episode of season 1, entitled "Meet Cheyenne," we are introduced to the titular character and learn about his background and motivations.

The episode begins with a sweeping shot of a train hurtling through the rugged terrain of the western United States. We see a lone figure disembark at the station in the town of Calvin, a tall and ruggedly handsome man dressed in a buckskin shirt and cowboy hat. This is Cheyenne Bodie, played by Clint Walker, and the town of Calvin is just the latest stop in his never-ending journey.

We soon learn that Cheyenne is looking for work as a cowhand and that he has a reputation as a tough and capable fighter. This reputation precedes him, as we see the townsfolk whispering and staring as he passes by. Cheyenne seems unfazed by the attention, however, and soon catches the eye of a local rancher named Muldoon.

Muldoon, played by veteran character actor Hans Conried, is a jovial fellow with an offer for Cheyenne. He needs a brawler to help him win a land dispute against his rival, Sam Judd, and he thinks that Cheyenne might be just the man for the job. Cheyenne agrees to take the job, but he doesn't seem particularly interested in the land dispute - he's just looking for a paycheck.

As Cheyenne sets off to carry out Muldoon's plan, we learn more about his character through a series of flashbacks. We see him as a young boy living with his parents on a farm in Kansas, and we learn that his father died in the Civil War. Cheyenne is determined to make a life for himself as a cowboy, and he sets out to learn all he can about the trade.

Back in present-day Calvin, Cheyenne's plan to win the land dispute involves getting Muldoon's daughter to seduce Judd's foreman, a man named Pete, and steal the documents that prove Judd doesn't actually own the land in question. Cheyenne is hesitant about involving a young woman in his plan, but Muldoon insists that his daughter is up to the task. The scene in which Cheyenne and Muldoon's daughter, Loni, first meet is a classic of television history, filled with sexual tension and playful banter.

As Cheyenne and Loni carry out their plan, they run afoul of Judd's thugs, and a violent street brawl ensues. Cheyenne proves himself to be a formidable fighter, taking down several men with his bare hands. The fight scene is well-choreographed and thrilling, as we see Cheyenne using his strength and cunning to come out on top.

In the end, Cheyenne and Loni are successful in stealing the documents from Pete, and the land dispute is won. Cheyenne confronts Muldoon, however, about the fact that Judd was actually in the right all along - he had bought the land legally from the government. Muldoon takes the news in stride, however, and offers Cheyenne a permanent job on his ranch.

The episode ends with Cheyenne riding off into the sunset, as it were, back on the open road seeking the next adventure. We get the sense that he's a man who can never truly settle down, always looking for the next challenge, the next fight, the next paycheck.

Overall, "Meet Cheyenne" is a strong start to the series. As the first episode, it does a good job of introducing the main character and setting up the basic premise of the show - that Cheyenne is a drifter, always on the move, always ready for the next challenge. The writing is tight and the performances are solid, particularly from Walker in the lead role. Fans of classic westerns are sure to enjoy this episode and the rest of the series that follows.