Gunsmoke (TV Series) The Newcomers (1966) User Reviews

From slow beginnings this episode turned out to be very entertaining

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 5 March 2013]

Petter Karlgren and his father are Scandinavian immigrants that have come to Dodge to start a life. Petter's father, a barber, has a friend and his plan is to have a two chair business in the growing city.

When Petter is baited into a fight with a brute named Silvee, Petter ends up pushing the man against a pitch fork. Thinking he is dead, Petter runs out and goes to his father.

It just so happens that there was a man, Bob Handley, in the loft of the barn saw the fight. He goes to Petter's father and tells him if they give him $300 that he will not tell the Marshal that it was his boy that killed the Silvee.

After the blackmail is paid, the Swedish immigrants know that this will follow them the rest of their life. Only after telling the Marshal the details do they learn that Silvee did not die from a pitch fork put a blow to the head. Marshal Dillon suspects that a murderer is on the loose and sets out to arrest him.

When this episode first started, I thought that there was no way this could be entertaining. But as the story progressed it turned into a story where a father tries to hard to protect his son. A good Watch.

Great Acting, Nice Supporting Cast

[wdavidreynolds · 7/10 · 20 July 2019]

Scandinavian immigrants Lars Karlgren and his son Petter arrive in Dodge City as Lars is planning to add a second chair to Birger Engdahl's barbershop. When the naive, innocent Petter has an unfortunate encounter with the ornery, bully cowboy named Silvee, Petter thinks he has accidentally killed Silvee.

The story involves blackmail and mystery as Bob Handley, a local worthless Dodge resident, attempts to seize an opportunity to take advantage of the circumstances.

There is nothing too surprising or shocking about this episode. It is standard western fare with a focus on "outsiders" -- in this case Scandanavian immigrants -- trying to fit into a culture in which they are not accustomed. The highlight is the great cast and acting, especially from Karl Swenson and a young Jon Voight as the father and son, and another appearance by the very recognizable Robert Sorrells, who would be convicted of murder and sentenced to prison later in real life.

Everything here is very well done, even though there is nothing that special about the story itself. It makes for another entertaining hour of Gunsmoke.