Except for the too-lengthy scenes of Eliab chasing Festus around out in the wild, this episode is nicely written, very well directed, and all-around enjoyable. There's a dark, serious element that is well-integrated into the plot, but it all works out when Matt makes his brief (but much-needed) appearance toward the end of the show. But there's still plenty more to come.
What's really cool is this: if fans of Gunsmoke REALLY want to immerse themselves in (almost continual) scenes of Doc, Festus, and Quint at their very best, THIS is the episode for you. They are great, as is the comic subplot about the widow Pearl.....seriously on the "make" for the hapless Festus. This is the sort of comic thing that be very annoying if it's not handled with care; fortunately, both writer and director knew exactly how to make it work to enhance the comedy.
Predictably, the musical score draws largely on Fred Steiner's delightful country-fiddlin' "Minnie" cues, rewritten, I suspect, for this episode.
But it's DOC, FESTUS, and QUINT all the way in this one, as charming and whimsical as ever (Burt Reynold's' second-last episode in order of broadcast). Treasure them together while you still can. LR.