In contrast to the other review, I find that the first portion of this episode - where Abe Blocker reflects on his life since coming west in the 1830's - is one of the warmest, most endearing and almost heart-wrenching portrayal of a warm hearted, good natured anachronism I've ever seen. Abe tells of "endless winters with not another white face in sight", and then continues to speak with lasting love of his long-dead Indian wife (and child). He says that "when I feel death on old Abe Blocker" he'll head back for the home he once shared with his wife to lie down beside their graves and share the silence forever. Chill Wills does an amazing job of portraying this Abe, the one that Matt knew, and the enraged Abe who can't cope with the "new ways, new laws, and new people" who are (to his way of thinking) ruining the land he knew and loves.
The rest of the episode is quite predictable, although extremely well acted throughout. I recorded this episode over three years ago, and continue to go back to watch the "mountain man" segment when I feel the urge to watch a master craftsman (Wills) ply his trade. I've seen most, if not all, of the original (60-minute) episodes, but this is the one that stands out in my memory. I'd give it a 10 if the whole hour was equal to Abe's elegiac near-soliloquy. Highly recommended watching!