Although this episode of The Virginian could be cited for an interesting cast, the story is yet another example of the series' most recycled plot: an innocent person from Shiloh is accused of murder. The showrunners apparently *loved* this particular situation, it was a constant subject throughout the years with pretty much all the regulars in the series except Betsy Garth and Elizabeth Grainger being accused falsely of murder, some of them over and over. Trampas and Stacey Grainger win the prize for this one, it seemed to be a regular occurrence with these two.
This time it's an unlucky Trampas, while on an assignment in relation to a right-of-way Shiloh has used for years that has recently been fenced off by a new, belligerent owner. Of course, Trampas happens to have inimitable timing, he stumbles upon the new owner's son who had just been murdered, and of course he is subsequently found standing over the body holding the murder weapon. Yet *again* of course it's a cut and dry case of murder when the always hang-happy citizens establish his guilt immediately, despite the evidence being entirely circumstantial. Well, someone did hear Trampas argue with the son earlier, a clear admission of guilt in their eyes. While Clay Grainger attempts to help Trampas any way he can, enter the Virginian to establish Trampas' innocence while working undercover as a hired hand for the belligerent ranch owner. This was the standard for most, if not all of the "someone from Shiloh is accused of murder" plots, where the Virginian has a very short amount of time to prove their innocence. He always manages to do it, just in time.
While the story is contrived and substandard, the cast is quite good, and there are a couple of mildly interesting plot turns, but not much more. Veteran character actor Victor Jory plays an aged, cynical prisoner who brings Trampas along during an escape from jail. Jory is heading to Canada, and it's interesting that his eventual fate is left unknown. Myron Healey and Ken Lynch are cast as the heavies (roles they played frequently), and Parley Baer plays Trampas' kindly attorney.
A very young Harrison Ford appears in only his fourth screen role, with no inkling whatsoever of how his life would change utterly and completely 10 years later.
But the real standout was Susanne Benton, who was not just a looker, she was *incredibly* beautiful in the episode as the promiscuous wife of the murdered son.
Not a great episode whatsoever, but interesting to see Harrison Ford looking so young and Susanne Benton looking so gorgeous.
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