Lol my advice is to read the review by "kfo9494". imho it's absolutely perfect! Nothing to add other than my agreement ab how very entertaining this episode was esp Doc and Festus! At one point Festus tried to take Doc's arm to lead him and Doc VIOLENTLY yanked his arm away. Blink and you missed it! Such a small gesture but proved to me that they sure did stay in character! And their characters are HILARIOUS! My rating is 9/10. 10's are reserved for my very favorite episodes, still this one is pretty great! Anyhoo. TY for reading this and i sincerely hope you enjoy this show as much as i did! 💋
5 Reviews
Doc Goes Fishin'
wdavidreynolds23 February 2021
Argonaut Moonercan (where do they come up with these names?) and his nomadic band of buffalo hunters comes close enough to Dodge City to wreak havoc in this great example of a combination of drama and comedy. Many times when the Gunsmoke writers try to create comedic stories, they miss the mark, but this one succeeds.
Argonaut and a couple of his dimwitted relatives are stalking a herd of buffalo when Thad Greenwood comes riding along singing at the top of his lungs. Thad is on his way to spend some time fishing, and he is in a singing mood. The noise spooks the buffalo, and they run away. The Moonercans are furious. One of the men named Herk even threatens to take Thad's boots. Thad manages to get away from the trio.
When Thad returns to Dodge, he tells Doc Adams about the great fishing spot he found, but he warns Doc about some buffalo hunters named Moonercan he encountered on the way. Doc has been looking for an opportunity for some rest and relaxation, and a few days fishing is just what he thinks he needs. When Festus Haggen hears Doc is going fishing, he convinces Doc to let him come along.
On their way to their fishing destination, Doc and Festus naturally run across the Moonercans. When Argonaut learns Doc is a "book learnin'" physician, he insists that Doc examine a little girl in their group named Piney. Piney has been sick for a few days with a fever and significant pain. One of the female Moonercans named Addie has been treating Piney as best she could. Doc discovers Piney has appendicitis, and needs to have her appendix removed as soon a possible, or she will die.
Doc performs the operation, and it is successful. Argonaut then concludes their roving family could use a permanent, full-time doctor, and hatches a plan to essentially hold Doc and Festus hostage. The only problem is, Argonaut doesn't want anyone traveling in their group that is not somehow related to the family. His solution is to force Doc to marry Addie.
Yet again, this episode features an outstanding cast. The great character actor R.G. Armstrong plays Argonaut Moonercan here. This role is a little different from most of the more serious characters Armstrong usually portrays. Armstrong's Argonaut is dangerous enough for the viewer to see him as a threat, but in the end, the intended humor in his portrayal is well projected. Gregg Palmer shows up in a Gunsmoke episode once again. He appeared in a total of 21 different episodes over the years. Here Palmer plays the character named Herk. The other goofy member of the group, Skeeter, is played by George "Goober" Lindsey.
Shelly Morrison plays Addie Moonercan in her only Gunsmoke appearance. Morrison is perhaps best known for her recurring character Rosario Salazar on the comedy Will & Grace.
Dodge City exists on the periphery of this story. Matt Dillon is present at the beginning, and he brings the heroic stabilizing force toward the end, but most of the story takes place at the Moonercan's camp.
Festus and Thad both play larger roles in this script, but they mostly provide comic relief to the proceedings.
I hope no one in Dodge City needed a doctor while this story was taking place!
Argonaut and a couple of his dimwitted relatives are stalking a herd of buffalo when Thad Greenwood comes riding along singing at the top of his lungs. Thad is on his way to spend some time fishing, and he is in a singing mood. The noise spooks the buffalo, and they run away. The Moonercans are furious. One of the men named Herk even threatens to take Thad's boots. Thad manages to get away from the trio.
When Thad returns to Dodge, he tells Doc Adams about the great fishing spot he found, but he warns Doc about some buffalo hunters named Moonercan he encountered on the way. Doc has been looking for an opportunity for some rest and relaxation, and a few days fishing is just what he thinks he needs. When Festus Haggen hears Doc is going fishing, he convinces Doc to let him come along.
On their way to their fishing destination, Doc and Festus naturally run across the Moonercans. When Argonaut learns Doc is a "book learnin'" physician, he insists that Doc examine a little girl in their group named Piney. Piney has been sick for a few days with a fever and significant pain. One of the female Moonercans named Addie has been treating Piney as best she could. Doc discovers Piney has appendicitis, and needs to have her appendix removed as soon a possible, or she will die.
Doc performs the operation, and it is successful. Argonaut then concludes their roving family could use a permanent, full-time doctor, and hatches a plan to essentially hold Doc and Festus hostage. The only problem is, Argonaut doesn't want anyone traveling in their group that is not somehow related to the family. His solution is to force Doc to marry Addie.
Yet again, this episode features an outstanding cast. The great character actor R.G. Armstrong plays Argonaut Moonercan here. This role is a little different from most of the more serious characters Armstrong usually portrays. Armstrong's Argonaut is dangerous enough for the viewer to see him as a threat, but in the end, the intended humor in his portrayal is well projected. Gregg Palmer shows up in a Gunsmoke episode once again. He appeared in a total of 21 different episodes over the years. Here Palmer plays the character named Herk. The other goofy member of the group, Skeeter, is played by George "Goober" Lindsey.
Shelly Morrison plays Addie Moonercan in her only Gunsmoke appearance. Morrison is perhaps best known for her recurring character Rosario Salazar on the comedy Will & Grace.
Dodge City exists on the periphery of this story. Matt Dillon is present at the beginning, and he brings the heroic stabilizing force toward the end, but most of the story takes place at the Moonercan's camp.
Festus and Thad both play larger roles in this script, but they mostly provide comic relief to the proceedings.
I hope no one in Dodge City needed a doctor while this story was taking place!
Which Doctor 1966
paul_yannucci7 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
When Sam was talking to Marshall Dillon in front of the Marshall's office before he rode off to find Doc, the Marshall's gun and holster where on his right side but when Marshall Dillon rode off to find Doc his gun and holster where on his left side.
Great show. The only episode directed by James Arness' brother Peter Graves
bobrich927 February 2021
I wasn't aware that Peter Graves was a director. His use of camera close ups in this show added to the fun that all of the cast must of had during production. There is a totally relaxed atmosphere presented. Fun, emotion, wit, tenderness and intelligence are all represented here. This was one of my favorite episodes.
A downright funny and entertaining show
kfo949414 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Every now and then you get an episode that was truly entertaining. In this comedy filled offering we get a show that was humorous and interesting the entire hour.
It all begins when Thad tells Doc that he just caught a load of bass fish at the bend of the Pawnee Creek. Doc gets the hankering to go fishing but Thad warns him of some buffalo hunters named Moonercans that he needs to stay away from. Festus, that had a second cousin marry a Moonercan, talks his way into going with Doc on the fishing trip.
Sure enough they run into Argonaut Moonercan and his two boys. Festus starts off by saying that he is a Haggan which only leads to trouble since Festus's second cousin ran off from his Moonercan bride years ago. But things simmer down when they find out Doc is a 'book learned' doctor. They have a ten year old girl that is very sick and wants Doc to take a look at her.
Doc agrees and finds out that the girl has been treated by a woman named Addie with herbs and still has a high fever. Doc has to remove the girl's appendix or she will die. the operation goes well and Doc and Festus are off to the creek.
However Argonaut Moonercan has other ideas for the doctor. Doc is going to be forced to marry Addie and then he will become part of the clan and have to stay with them. Needless to say it becomes a real shotgun wedding.
The episode if filled with some funny dialog and interesting tales. The episode is so strong that you want to re-watch the show just to hear the banter between Doc, Festus and the Moonercans. With some fine acting and great written material this was a diamond among the rough. Oh sure the story was highly predictable and routine but it was also entertaining to the fullest. Great show.
It all begins when Thad tells Doc that he just caught a load of bass fish at the bend of the Pawnee Creek. Doc gets the hankering to go fishing but Thad warns him of some buffalo hunters named Moonercans that he needs to stay away from. Festus, that had a second cousin marry a Moonercan, talks his way into going with Doc on the fishing trip.
Sure enough they run into Argonaut Moonercan and his two boys. Festus starts off by saying that he is a Haggan which only leads to trouble since Festus's second cousin ran off from his Moonercan bride years ago. But things simmer down when they find out Doc is a 'book learned' doctor. They have a ten year old girl that is very sick and wants Doc to take a look at her.
Doc agrees and finds out that the girl has been treated by a woman named Addie with herbs and still has a high fever. Doc has to remove the girl's appendix or she will die. the operation goes well and Doc and Festus are off to the creek.
However Argonaut Moonercan has other ideas for the doctor. Doc is going to be forced to marry Addie and then he will become part of the clan and have to stay with them. Needless to say it becomes a real shotgun wedding.
The episode if filled with some funny dialog and interesting tales. The episode is so strong that you want to re-watch the show just to hear the banter between Doc, Festus and the Moonercans. With some fine acting and great written material this was a diamond among the rough. Oh sure the story was highly predictable and routine but it was also entertaining to the fullest. Great show.
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