The Choice

Originally Aired: December 28, 1958 Gunsmoke #351, "The Choice," begins when a drifter named Andy Hill gets into a confrontation at the Long Branch. When a troublemaker threatens Kitty, the young Andy demonstrates lightning-fast gun skills in a deadly shootout. Despite the self-defense killing, Marshal Dillon senses something hidden in Andy's past but gives him a chance anyway, recommending him for a shotgun guard position with stage driver Jim Buck. That decision comes back to haunt Dillon when Andy refuses to fight during a stage holdup, claiming the empty strongbox wasn't worth killing over. Fired and unable to find other work in Dodge, Andy grows increasingly bitter. When a drunk gunman named Kerrick picks a fight with Andy at the Texas Trail, Dillon recognizes him from wanted circulars and realizes the terrible truth: both men are wanted outlaws who once rode together. Instead of arresting either man, Dillon makes a controversial choice, sending Kerrick out of town and jailing Andy overnight to sober up. Doc questions the marshal's risky gamble, but Dillon believes Andy deserves the chance to choose his own path, just as someone once gave Dillon himself a chance.