Gunsmoke (TV Series) Potshot (1961) User Reviews

Poor Chester takes a bullet for unknown reasons.

[kfo9494 · 6/10 · 25 September 2013]

Even with a story that was kind of surreal, the episode was entertaining enough to keep the viewer watching to the closing credits. The way the writer held the mystery of the shooter was a nice piece of work.

It all begins when Hutch Dawkins comes to town and shoots off some fireworks in front of the Long Branch. What Hutch was trying to do was cause some excitement but all it really did was get him in trouble. But when he agreed to buy rounds for the bar then the troubles were quickly forgotten.

Later, after Matt gets word that there was a bank robbery in Wichita and the bandits are heading toward Dodge. Afterwards, Chester gets shot while walking down Front Street. Matt believes the bank robbers shot Chester in order to cause a distraction while robbing the Dodge Bank. Matt is determined to catch the robbers and Hutch is hoping for some excitement.

This episode is not going to be on the top of most people's list but it was nice enough to for the viewer to keep watching. The main goal is to find out who shot Chester and by the time the credits roll we can only hope that Marshal has the right man for the right cause.

Hutch

[darbski · 10/10 · 7 November 2017]

**SPOILERS** Yup, maybe Hutch was a popular name back then. When I was a kid it was a sporting goods company. I think that this is the third time I've heard the name Hutch used in this show. Now, the name "Art Huck" was given to a character in "The Big Sleep". He had a Colt Peacemaker, but he ran off when Marlow took a couple of "pot shots" at him. Nope, I just can't think of anyone else using this name. Nothing wrong with it; I mean they named rabbit hotels "Hutch", and THEY don't complain (as far as I know). This character was screwier than Roger Rabbit, though, wasn't he?

Incredibly Dumb Story and Horrible Acting

[Johnny_West · 1/10 · 25 April 2020]

Karl Swenson usually played some kind of German character with a thick accent. Swenson was on Gunsmoke nine times. He often played villains, and was especially good at playing unreasonable and crazy characters. He would end his career as town elder Lars Hanson, on Little House on the Prairie.

In Potshots, Swenson plays Dutch Dawkins. Dutch is off the rails crazy. He appears at the Longbranch Saloon, throws fireworks under some horses to laugh and enjoy their fear. When he is confronted, he gives out money and buys drinks for everyone. It is not very clear where Dutch got his money, or why he came to Dodge, except that Dutch wants excitement.

Excitement for Dutch is seeing others in pain, suffering, or getting killed. Dutch was a homicidal maniac by any standards. At one point Chester is gunned down as he is walking down the street with Matt Dillon. Dillon thinks it is some wanted bank robbers that are coming to town, but could it be Dutch?

Dillon stops the bank robbers with Dutch in the middle, laughing and overjoyed to see men getting killed. Eventually Dillon puts Dutch in jail, and he is overjoyed to know there will be a trial, and that he will be a big celebrity for getting people killed. There is no way to qualify Karl Swenson's acting except as totally over the top, ham-fisted overacting. The character is so obnoxious that it is hard to enjoy this episode.

Bushwhacker

[StrictlyConfidential · 5/10 · 13 March 2021]

(*Doc Adams quote*) - "There just isn't any more I can do for him."

Hutch Dawkins is a grubby trouble-maker who has come to Dodge to find some excitement.

In the meantime - Marshal Dillon gets a telegram from Wichita's sheriff telling him that 2 men known for robbing banks are headed to his town.