DL031: The Gambler ~ Missing Motive

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:20 — 24.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

Gunsmoke, The Gambler, Part 2:

Pro-Active Marshall Goes in Search of Missing Motive

Matt Dillon is very perceptive. He can see that Ascombe hates Cass and probably wants to kill him. In Part 2, Matt tries to prevent a murder. Ascombe won’t tell Matt why he wants to kill Cass, so Matt goes in search of Cass. He wants to hear Cass’s side of the story. There must be an incident that happened in the past that triggered this. If only Matt could understand the missing motive behind Ascombe’s hatred of Cass, he could help the two men negotiate and reconcile.

What do you think?

Ascombe is determined to kill Cass. He thinks he can somehow make it look like it was a fair fight that Cass lost. If Cass draws his gun first, but Ascombe is the faster and more accurate shooter, then Ascombe will get away with murder. It won’t be called murder. It will be called ‘self defense’. Do you see any problems with this law?

Jim Cass has no idea why this gambler, whom he’s never met, is gunning for him. He doesn’t reveal any conflicts or enemies from his past that might be catching up with him. Matt doesn’t seem suspicious that Cass is hiding anything either. In spite of his efforts, Matt still has a missing motive. In our next episode, we’ll find out what has gotten Ascombe so upset, but in the meantime, what is your guess? Post your answer in the comments below.