Originally Aired: July 27, 1958

In Gunsmoke #329, "The Cast," Marshal Matt Dillon faces a dangerous situation when Shell Tucker's wife swallows a nail and Doc Adams is called to help. Shell is notorious for his hatred of doctors, believing them to be nothing more than "croakers" who killed his father, but he's away on the prairie when his desperate wife sends their son Roof to fetch Doc. Despite Doc's best efforts to operate and save her life, Mrs. Tucker's heart gives out, and Matt must break the news to the grieving family.

When Shell returns home to find his wife buried, his long-standing prejudice against doctors transforms into a deadly rage. He blames Doc Adams for his wife's death, calling it murder and vowing revenge with biblical fury. Matt warns Shell that any attack on Doc will result in jail or hanging, but the vengeful rancher's intentions remain unclear. After spending two days at the Caldwell place delivering a baby, Doc rides back to Dodge, only to report to Matt that someone has taken a shot at him on the trail.