Im in the UK and I vaguely remember the show from when it aired over here, decades ago when I was a kid. I'm currently watching reruns of it and, man, this is awesome TV. I love the opening title credits with Chuck Connors strolling down the street, firing off rounds from his rifle, swinging it round and then reloading it, all the while eyeing the camera, not looking away from the viewer. It is a cool opening. Connors is great as Lucas McCain, a principled widower and highly skilled sharpshooter trying to raise his boy, Mark, right on their spread. He may just be the best ever single dad in TV history. He constantly is giving Mark life lessons but he isn't without the occasional flaw, and even his flaws can be used as a learning experience for both of them- none of that toxic masculinity. And Johnny Crawford, hasn't so far, been annoying like a lot of children characters in TV shows can be. He comes across as just a good kid who loves his dad. I'm rounding out the first season and it's solid entertainment great support from Paul Fix as Micah, the town sheriff. And there's a couple of appearances by Michael Ansara as Sam Buckhart who would take the character into his own TV show, Law of the Plainsman. Highly recommended, and great for spotting those familiar supporting actors of that time too.
Review of The Rifleman
