Gunsmoke: Season 11
Season 11 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Gunsmoke Season 10.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 11 Progress Shield
Seven Hours to Dawn
Sep 18, 1965 · 45 min
Mace Gore's gang has taken over Dodge. When Matt is believed killed, Festus and Doc have a plan to lure Gore into a trap, even though his usual plan is to leave by dawn.
The Storm
Sep 25, 1965 · 45 min
A man is convicted of robbing and murdering his partner, but the sons of Matt's old friend are responsible. Matt must arrest the remaining son after the other's dying declaration a
Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood
Oct 2, 1965 · 45 min
Thad, son of and deputy to an Oklahoma sheriff, arrives in Dodge pursuing vandals on his father's warrant, not realizing the Oklahoma warrant isn't executable in Dodge.
Ten Little Indians
Oct 9, 1965 · 45 min
Someone has placed a fabulous price on Matt's head, and there are many competing to earn it.
Taps for Old Jeb
Oct 16, 1965 · 45 min
After a successful search for gold, two prospectors hire a man, who shows up at their campfire, as a bodyguard.
Kioga
Oct 23, 1965 · 45 min
A young Pawnee arrives in Dodge to seek his own revenge on a murderer, not trusting in the white man's justice.
The Bounty Hunter
Oct 30, 1965 · 45 min
Lured out of retirement with the promise of land, a bounty hunter is aimed by his boss at the man who killed his son; however, he neglects to tell his hound that the reward and cha
The Reward
Nov 6, 1965 · 45 min
A man who persuaded the good folks of Dodge to invest their money in a mine is out of prison and back to prove that there really is gold in the mine.
Malachi
Nov 13, 1965 · 45 min
While Matt's out of town, his friends play along with a drifter's innocent impersonation of the marshal, but a man comes to town determined to get revenge on the marshal, and he's
The Pretender
Nov 20, 1965 · 45 min
An elder brother took the blame for the younger as both were sent away for cattle rustling. When they return home, the younger is not done with doing wrong, nor with asking his bro
South Wind
Nov 27, 1965 · 45 min
A twelve-year-old boy recovers in Doc's office and then goes with a gun after the man who robbed and killed his father.
The Hostage
Dec 4, 1965 · 45 min
Twenty-two men escape from a territorial prison. The remaining 4 kidnap Matt hoping to get safe passage into Mexico. One of them has another agenda which he reveals to Matt as they
Outlaw's Woman
Dec 11, 1965 · 45 min
After a risky train robbery and with two posses on their trail, four men hurriedly ride to some fresh horses. Dillon wounds one of the gang carrying the stolen money and it turns o
The Avengers
Dec 18, 1965 · 45 min
A retired judge and his sons abduct Kitty, Festus, and Doc after Festus shoots his other son in order to defend Kitty. The judge "tries" Kitty and Festus for murder, pressing Doc i
Gold Mine
Dec 25, 1965 · 45 min
When Matt is too busy to escort Kitty to a gold mine she inherited, she travels there alone and meets with claim jumpers and other difficulties.
Death Watch
Jan 8, 1966 · 45 min
Two Bounty hunters bring in a wounded Mexican bandit worth $30,000 and find out the Mexican government might not pay for a man who dies a natural death, so they get the idea of sho
Sweet Billy, Singer of Songs
Jan 15, 1966 · 45 min
Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.
The Raid (1)
Jan 22, 1966 · 45 min
A band of robbers have hit numerous banks with uncanny precision, planning and ease. They have their sights on Dodge now but they must remove a big obstacle before they can proceed
The Raid (2)
Jan 29, 1966 · 45 min
When one of the gang is hurt after robbing Dodge, the Doc is taken to patch him up. The posse was preparing to go after them but a new problem has been set they must take care of b
Killer at Large
Feb 5, 1966 · 45 min
In Matt's absence, Festus is accused of drawing first on a drunken man. Though innocent, Festus leaves town to avoid Matt having to arrest him, and takes refuge across the border w
My Father's Guitar
Feb 12, 1966 · 45 min
A talented guitarist impresses all who hear him on an instrument that is more precious to him than a man's life.
Wishbone
Feb 19, 1966 · 45 min
Festus has a habit of using the wishbone from a dead chicken for making wishes on. When he comes across Doc Adams, alone and snakebit, he uses that wish to help him, if it can. Mea
Sanctuary
Feb 26, 1966 · 45 min
An outlaw gang shoots it out fleeing Dodge City. When one of them is injured real bad, he hides out in the church where the reverend is fearful but not for himself.
Honor Before Justice
Mar 5, 1966 · 45 min
The Osage Council has found Two Bears guilty of murder. His daughter rides into Dodge seeking Matt's help. Matt is out of town chasing horse thieves, so Thad tries to help. He fin
The Brothers
Mar 12, 1966 · 45 min
Billy has always looked up to his brother Ed. During a robbery gone wrong, he is arrested. Matt begins to open Billy's naive eyes when his brother tries to free him from jail.
Which Dr.
Mar 19, 1966 · 45 min
Buffalo hunters kidnap Doc and Festus. Guest starring R.G. Armstrong, George Lindsey, Gregg Palmer, and Shelley Morrison (Trivia: directed by James Arness' kid brother Peter Graves
Harvest
Mar 26, 1966 · 45 min
Some homesteaders have chosen a piece of land that is free to use per the government, but Ben Payson has other ideas. When his daughter starts to care about the homesteaders' son,
By Line
Apr 9, 1966 · 45 min
The new newspaper in town seems to be in the business of fomenting trouble, starting with its employment as a reporter of the illiterate Festus.
Treasure of John Walking Fox
Apr 16, 1966 · 45 min
When old Jacob is shot dead in self defense, his loyal Indian partner, John Walking Fox, starts paying for things with $50 gold pieces, and he becomes the talk of the town, and a t
My Father, My Son
Apr 23, 1966 · 45 min
Fast gunman Jim Barrett kills a man in self defense. Now the man's father and brothers are gunning for him, in addition to a young man who wants Barrett dead for a different reason
Parson Comes to Town
Apr 30, 1966 · 45 min
A mysterious man rides into town and says he is after one of two men responsible for killing his brother. When he starts crowding a stranger in town, Matt must decide how to make s
Prime of Life
May 7, 1966 · 45 min
Kyle Stoner is fast with a gun and likes to prove it. When he mixes with the wrong crowd and goes up against Matt, his father gets involved and he is a friend as well as an ex-lawm