This episode involving a mysterious visitor to Dodge City is a rare treat for Season 11, because it mostly takes place in Dodge and heavily involves many of the recurring characters.
The actual mystery unravels quickly, as it does not take long for the audience to learn who the ominous mysterious visitor is, and why he is in Dodge. The drama surrounding the visitor continues to the last minute.
One questionable point in this story is Matt Dillon not arresting someone when he has good reason to think the suspect is guilty. It is legal to arrest someone on suspicion. The Marshal's lack of action results in unnecessary injuries and danger to the Dodge City residents.
In any event, this is one of the better episodes of the season as far as the creation of tension and drama is concerned. It is especially nice to see so many of the recurring residents of Dodge City in this episode. Incidentally, this is the first time Ted Jordan appears as Nathan Burke, a character that would go on to appear in many episodes and play a prominent role in a few episodes. Jordan had been a frequent Gunsmoke guest, mostly playing smaller parts, usually as a heavy. In addition to the Burke character, other recurring characters such as Lathrop, Halligan, Percy Crump, Hank, and Howie all show up during this story.
Lonny Chapman is recognizable to anyone that is a fan of television dramas. He almost always played a bad guy. In this story he is true to form, as he plays the character known only as Sipes. Sam Wanamaker plays the role of Asa Longworth in his only Gunsmoke appearance.
Verne Jay is credited as the writer of this episode, and not only is this the only Gunsmoke story he contributed, but this is also one of the only writing credits he ever received for anything.
Sam Wanamaker, who plays the character Asa Longworth in this episode, was also a director of several television shows during his career. He directed one episode of the series Lancer. In the Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, actor Nicholas Hammond portrays Wanamaker who is directing an episode of Lancer which features a guest starring role by the character Rick Dalton as played by Leonardo DiCaprio.