***SPOILERS*** I don't disagree with the other reviewers; they both make very strong points. The thing the makes this episode worthwhile is he acting. The story? History is written by the victors. Vengeance is a righteous cause, however being consumed by it will write it's own destiny: the equal of the first desire. "Those who live by the sword"...
Northern AND Southern P.O.W. camps were both unnecessarily filled to capacity, and, it was very difficult to keep up with prisoner needs of any kind. The North (and, I'm a dyed in the wool Yankee), had a lot less excuse. Sure, the war demanded a lot of industry and farming, but it was still a humane need to care for those who were captives. The South was simply overwhelmed. EVERY thing that could be spared was going to the war, and the soldiers fighting it. Don't get the idea that I excuse the leadership. If they truly had a good cause, there was a very real way to alliviate the problem of overcrowding: continue the paroles with the provision that the parolee would never again bear arms against the South. R.E.Lee, Jeff Davis just would not do it. They were as inhumane to their own soldiers and civilians as if they were prisoners, too. End of speech.
Buffalo hunters want respect? Well, they could do what drovers, cowboys, and teamsters did. Get a shave, haircut, bath, clean clothes, and not act like they couldn't be civilized. Most of them did just that. It doesn't fit the Hollywood picture, but most of them wanted to get rid of the fleas and the stink.
Festus getting taken again? Par for the course. Frankly, I'm still surprised that a ten year old couldn't just kick the door to the crackerbox jail they had. There was a blacksmith in town, why not get decent doors with serious lockbars? For that matter, the office was badly designed in the first place. Kitty's kindness to Mrs. Driscoll was a high point of this episode, as was Doc's lecture on war.
The acting was top shelf, and the message about amnesty was very nice, but Grant was probably looking for amnesty himself. He was the one who stopped the prisoner exchange in the first place. I'll give it an 8.
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