A gang called "the Vipers" has been carrying out raids on Kansas towns. Their trail leads to Freedom, Kansas, where Gordon (posing as Ned Buntline
) becomes friendly with Mayor Beaumont while West tangles with hardline sheriff David Cord. The town has yet to be raided by the Vipers, but it soon becomes evident that some of the townspeople know more about the gang than they're telling.
Disguises used by Artie: Ned Butline, Journalist(5:45)
Tropes present in this episode:
- Dragon Their Feet: Sheriff Cord. He doesn't bother to pop up until his boss and the gang's rolling weapon of death have been thoroughly dealt with. At least he manages to shoot Jim before the agent offs him.
- Good Old Fisticuffs: Moriarty challenges Jim to step into the ring with the current champion. Jim takes the fight outside so Artie can explore the locker room.
- His Name Is......: Moriarty acts as the Vipers' bookkeeper and is killed before he reveals the ringleader's name.
- Historical Domain Character: Referenced with Ned Buntline, a prolific 19th century writer and journalist.
- Sudden Downer Ending: The episode ends immediately after the shootout in Freedom's streets without the usual epilogue on the train. While the gang has been stopped, the people of Freedom have to face the fact their beloved mayor and sheriff orchestrated a plot to murder innocent people for political gain.
- The Mole: Mayor Beaumont is built up as an extremely honest, law-abiding, compassionate man who is reluctant to pursue higher office. Yeah, not so much - he's the leader of the Vipers.
- Weighted Gloves: Minus the "gloves" part. Moriarty slips his boxer a hand weight in his bareknuckle bout with Jim.
