Have Gun, Will Travel Season 5 Episode 3 The Revenger

Have Gun, Will Travel is a Western television series that aired from 1957 to 1963 on CBS. The show follows the adventures of Paladin, a gentleman gunfighter who offers his services to those in need. Season 5 episode 3, titled "The Revenger," follows Paladin as he is hired by a man seeking revenge for the murder of his son.

The episode begins with Paladin receiving a telegram from a man named Angus MacLeod, who is seeking his services as a gunfighter. Paladin meets with Angus and learns that his son was recently killed in a saloon brawl in the town of Plainsview. The man responsible for his son's death is a local man named Joe Redigo, who is known for being a troublemaker and has a reputation for being a fast and deadly gunfighter.

Angus is convinced that the local law enforcement will not be able to bring Joe to justice, and he wants Paladin to kill him in a fair fight. Paladin is hesitant to take the job, as he believes that revenge is not the answer. But after hearing Angus's story, he decides to take the job, with the condition that he will try to resolve the situation peacefully before resorting to violence.

Paladin arrives in Plainsview and begins his investigation into the incident. He learns that Joe is a loyal member of a local ranching family and that the town's sheriff is his brother-in-law. The sheriff warns Paladin to stay out of trouble and not to interfere with the local justice system.

Paladin spends the next few days observing Joe and his family, trying to find a way to make Joe see the error of his ways. During this time, he also becomes acquainted with a woman named Belle, who runs the local saloon. Belle reveals that she has a past with Joe and that she believes he is not a bad man, but rather a product of his environment.

Paladin eventually confronts Joe and challenges him to a fair fight. The two men agree to meet in the town square at high noon. The townspeople gather to watch the duel, and tensions are high as the two men face off.

The fight is intense, with both men proving to be skilled gunfighters. After several minutes of exchanging shots, Paladin is able to disarm Joe and knock him to the ground. Rather than killing him, Paladin offers Joe his hand and helps him up. He tells him that he believes he can be a better man and offers him a chance to start over.

Joe is initially skeptical and unsure of Paladin's motives, but eventually comes around and decides to take Paladin's advice. He leaves town with his family, and Paladin helps Angus come to terms with his son's death and move on from his desire for revenge.

"The Revenger" is a classic episode of Have Gun, Will Travel that explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of second chances. It offers a unique perspective on the traditional Western trope of gunfighters seeking revenge, and presents a more nuanced and complex view of the characters and their motivations. As always, Richard Boone's performance as Paladin is excellent, and the episode is well-written, with memorable characters and a compelling storyline.