The Virginian poster

TV series

The Virginian

1962TV-G9 seasons6.5 / 10

With every hoofbeat, history is made.

The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth, the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie. It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.

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Checked Jul 22, 2026

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Synopsis

The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth, the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie. It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.

Season 4 episodes

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Episode 1

The Brothers

1h 30m

Matt Denning (Robert Lansing), a good friend of Emmett Ryker's, believes his younger brother Will (Andrew Prine) innocent of a crime and breaks him out of a military jail where he is awaiting execution, accidentally killing a guard in the process. Along with Matt's wife (Jan Shepard) and son (Kurt Russell), they escape into an area where many Sioux Indians are out for blood, and are trailed by Ryker, army Sgt. Cohane (Myron Healey) and three soldiers. They find the escapees but the party is attacked by the Sioux. Will is killed, confessing as he dies that he was guilty as charged and leading Matt to realize all has been for nothing. Despite the fact the guard's death was clearly an accident, and the fact Emmett and Cohane testify on his behalf, Matt is found guilty and Emmett is forced to uphold the law and turn Matt over to the Sheriff who will escort him to prison.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderWritten by Dick NelsonGuest stars Jan Shepard, Andrew Prine, Robert Lansing, Kurt Russell, Bill Quinn, Myron Healey, Hal Baylor

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Episode 2

Day of the Scorpion

An Australian, Adam Tercell (John Anderson), has bought a local ranch and plans to graze sheep on open range, a strategy which would destroy it as grazing land for cattle, so the locals want to negotiate an area set aside for sheep. However, Tercell's bullying son, Abel (Jon Locke), refuses and even stockwhips a local rancher (Edward Faulkner) which brings him into conflict with the Virginian. Abel tries to bullwhip the Virginian and falls and is accidentally killed when he hits his head on a rock. Adam Tercell arrives in Medicine Bow and tries to get the Virginian charged with murder but is unsuccessful and things become complicated when Tercell's daughter Reagen (Maura McGivney) begins to fall in love with the Virginian. Events continue to escalate and eventually lead to a fateful confrontation between Adam Tercell, his estranged daughter, and the local ranchers.

Episode credits

Directed by Robert ButlerGuest stars Sean McClory, Maura McGiveney, Tim Donnelly, John Anderson, Harold Gould, Edward Faulkner

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Episode 3

A Little Learning

After release from prison, Bert Kramer (Bruce Dern) comes to Medicine Bow to find his estranged wife who is the new school teacher, Martha Perry (Susan Oliver). A Shiloh hand, Rafe Simmons (Albert Salmi), tells the Virginian he is quitting. He goes to town, get a job in the harness shop and gets Martha to teach him to read. Bert Kramer arrives in town and is spotted by Emmett Ryker who recognizes him as a hired gun. Rumours are spread that Rafe and the schoolteacher are having an affair. A local barber, Cal Beeson (Harry Townes), who has had a run in with Rafe, and Bert Kramer plot together to ambush the harness shop worker. However, Rafe manages to get the upper hand. In a struggle over a gun, Bert is killed but Rafe is cleared by the actions of the Virginian and Martha who get Beeson's young son to own up to the plot.

Episode credits

Guest stars George Kirgo, Susan Oliver, Dub Taylor, Harry Townes, Dave Willock, Alice Frost, Craig Huxley, Bruce Dern

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Episode 4

The Claim

Trampas becomes discouraged with being a ranch hand and sets off with an old friend, Luke Milford (William Shatner), to Deadwood City in the Dakotas where gold strikes are reported. They learn that most of the gold is off limits in Sioux territory but they meet and help a man named Finley (Strother Martin) who claims to have a gold strike outside of Indian land and who agrees to cut them in if they will stake him for equipment. They do strike gold but it turns out it is on Indian land. Trampas runs into trouble not only with the Sioux but inevitably ends up in a showdown with Luke who has become fixated on finding and retaining the gold.

Episode credits

Directed by Bernard L. KowalskiGuest stars William Shatner, Strother Martin, Don 'Red' Barry, John Pickard, Richard Reeves, Ted Jordan

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Episode 5

The Awakening

A destitute former Minister, David Henderson (Glenn Corbett), who has had a crisis of faith, comes to Medicine Bow just as a dispute breaks out at a local mine over safety issues. Emmett Ryker entreaties Judge Garth to try and find a solution to the problem. When an accident occurs at the mine David's assists in a rescue attempt but hurts his leg. He is taken to Shiloh where Betsy Garth nurses him and they become romantically involved. David's actions gain him the respect of the miners, he becomes their leader, and he calls a strike over the working conditions. Despite an attempt to intimidate the miners by importing scab labour, with Judge Garth's help the owners and miners manage to reach an agreement. David rediscovers his calling and asks Betsy to marry him. They are married at Shiloh Ranch and head off to start a new life at a parish David has been assigned in Pennsylvania.

Episode credits

Directed by Leon BensonGuest stars Jack Lambert, Glenn Corbett, Virginia Christine, John Doucette, Ford Rainey

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Episode 6

Ring of Silence

Emmett Ryker is amongst a group of stagecoach passengers and crew waylaid by and trapped in an isolated cabin by a group of Mexicans from a small cross-border town. The Mexicans want one of the passengers, a cowboy named Wylie (Earl Holliman), for murdering a woman but Emmett believes Wylie should be turned over to the American authorities for a proper hearing. A siege and gun battle ensues but in the end, the Virginian and Trampas, who are waiting for Emmett in a nearby town, come to the rescue of their missing friend.

Episode credits

Guest stars Earl Holliman, Joyce Van Patten, Perry Lopez, Pepe Callahan, Royal Dano, Joe De Santis, Edward Binns, John Hoyt

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Episode 7

Jennifer

Judge Garth's niece Jennifer comes to live with him at Shiloh after her parents are killed in an accident. However, she is uncomfortable with her uncle who disapproved of her father. A young man she met seems to help but he has a past.

Episode credits

Written by Rita LakinGuest stars James MacArthur, Michael Stanwood, Hal Needham

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Episode 8

Nobility of Kings

1h 30m7.0 / 10

Ben Justin takes over a ranch next to Shiloh. He has had a string of bad luck including the death of his first wife. His son wants to help him but Ben keeps him and his wife Mary at arms length out of fear they will see the real Ben.

Episode credits

Directed by Paul StanleyWritten by Richard FielderGuest stars Lois Nettleton, Vito Scotti, Robert Random, James B. Sikking, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy, Edward Faulkner

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Episode 9

Show Me a Hero

While returning to Shiloh Trampas injures his horse saving a man with a runaway team. He is forced to stay a few days in a small town with the man as an old friend arrives to force the town to sign over its gambling rights to him.

Episode credits

Directed by Leon BensonGuest stars Sue Randall, Lee Patterson, Sherry Jackson, Lane Bradford, Richard Beymer, John Mitchum, Leonard Nimoy, John Harmon

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Episode 10

Beyond the Border

On a trip to Mexico with Trampas to pick up six palominos The Virginian becomes sick. He is forced to stay at a lonely saloon and inn tended by the girl friend of a local outlaw. As he recovers she decides she would prefer life with him.

Episode credits

Guest stars Thomas Gomez, Joan Staley, Joe Mantell, Michael Forest, Gregg Palmer, Chris Alcaide

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Episode 11

The Dream of Stavros Karas

Widower Stavros Karas has agreed with a friend in Greece to marry his daughter. He told his friend he had a nice place but in reality he has little and needs water from his neighbor whose son falls for his young and beautiful bride.

Episode credits

Directed by Richard BenedictGuest stars Louise Sorel, Michael Constantine, Russ Conway

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Episode 12

The Laramie Road

1h 30m

Two tramps kill the wife of Ev Clinchy provoking the ire of Ev and his friend Hezekiah who want to lynch them. The sheriff keeps them at bay but when he is killed it is up to Ryker to protect the men against his close friends for trial.

Episode credits

Directed by Charles S. DubinGuest stars Marge Redmond, Leonard P. Geer, Claude Akins, Shug Fisher, Berkeley Harris, Lovyss Bradley, Leslie Nielsen, Harold J. Stone

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Episode 13

The Horse Fighter

A renown bronc buster is hired to break a group of rough mustangs at Shiloh. He picks Randy who is green to help him and Randy comes to idolize him as they break a black stallion. However, unknown to Randy there is a dark side to man.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderWritten by Richard FielderGuest stars Harry Guardino, Don Dubbins

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Episode 14

Letter of the Law

A dying man clears a man sent to prison but the Governor and the railroad still believe he is guilty. He is paroled but still hounded by a railroad agent. When he is suspected of a second robbery, Ryker is not sure all is as it seems.

Episode credits

Directed by Charles S. DubinGuest stars Jack Pepper, James Best, Don Stewart, David McLean, James Doohan, Simon Oakland, Bryan O'Byrne

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Episode 15

Blaze of Glory

A respected but retired Medicine Bow lawman is trying to make a living for him and his daughter on a farm but the bank is about to foreclose. A man involved in robbing a gold shipment offers him gold for hiding him out.

Episode credits

Directed by Alexander SingerGuest stars Michael Sarrazin, Leif Erickson, Joan Freeman, Hal Bokar, Karl Swenson, John Mitchum

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Episode 16

Nobody Said Hello

A notorious Civil War criminal defended by Garth arrives in Medicine Bow to join his family. He expects payment from Garth who he believes profited from his case but Garth wants nothing to do with the man but Jennifer befriends the family.

Episode credits

Directed by Alf KjellinGuest stars James Whitmore, Wesley Lau, Virginia Grey, Peter Whitney, John Mitchum

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Episode 17

Men with Guns

Trampas and Randy are sent to pickup horses from a rich man illegally evicting people from their property who don't believe in fighting back. Trampas stays as he takes an interest in the leader's daughter who doesn't agree with her father.

Episode credits

Directed by Leon BensonGuest stars Telly Savalas, Coleen Gray, Douglas Kennedy, Andy Albin, William Phipps, Brenda Scott, Robert F. Simon, Buck Taylor

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Episode 18

Long Ride to Wind River

The Virginian's friend Benjy is convicted of a murder he swears he didn't commit. A mountain man may be able to clear him but a search doesn't find him. The Virginian decides to follow some clues putting himself and the witness in danger.

Episode credits

Directed by Paul HenreidGuest stars John Cassavetes, Michael Burns, Quinn K. Redeker, Dub Taylor, Robert Karnes, Richard Devon, Ray Montgomery, Dick Cherney

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Episode 19

Chaff in the Wind

A man and his two adult kids broke and hungry end up at Shiloh when their wagon breaks down. They are grifters but the old man decides to stay at Shiloh. The kids soon like it but don't feel they fit in not knowing their dad is scheming.

Episode credits

Guest stars Tony Bill, John Pickard, Ed Begley, John Mitchum

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Episode 20

The Inchworm's Got No Wings at All

1h 30m

Jennifer learns by accident a hand has a learning challenged sister who is near adulthood but hidden from society. She convinces the parents to let her help the girl but the girl's involvement with a bank robber complicates the problem.

Episode credits

Directed by Paul StanleyGuest stars Lou Antonio, Anthony Caruso, Jack Dodson, Michael Stanwood, Gregg Palmer

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Episode 21

Morgan Starr

Morgan Starr takes over for Judge Garth running Shiloh. His hardnosed demeanor doesn't sit well with anyone on or off the ranch. His introduction is made harder by a locust plague when Starr decides to stay and fight them rather than move the cattle.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderGuest stars George Mitchell, Peggie Castle, L.Q. Jones, Buck Young, Frank Sully, Paul Birch, Edward Faulkner, Ken Mayer

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Episode 22

Harvest of Strangers

As Ryker leaves town for a few days, a group of men known as Metis arrive in Medicine Bow. They are a rough group but want no trouble. However, the people are afraid of trouble which comes as Starr tries to stop it - from themselves.

Episode credits

Directed by Paul StanleyGuest stars Geoffrey Horne, Val Avery, Eddie Little Sky, Fabrizio Mioni, Émile Genest, Stuart Nisbet, John Anderson, Jan Shepard

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Episode 23

Ride a Cock-Horse to Laramie Cross

Trampas becomes knight errant when he takes on two children trying to reach their mother in Laramie. They are being chased by a group of outlaws who want to return them to Mexico. A woman he adds on the way makes it feel like a family.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderWritten by Clair HuffakerGuest stars Nita Talbot, Rance Howard, John Harmon, Myron Healey, Harry Harvey

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Episode 24

One Spring Like Long Ago

Morgan Starr and Randy Benton travel to sell a herd of cattle to an Indian agent to feed the Dakota, but find themselves on a journey of loss and finding, resulting in a change for many lives but especially for Randy.

Episode credits

Guest stars Martine Bartlett, Eduard Franz, Garry Walberg, Warren Oates, John Dehner

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Episode 25

The Return of Golden Tom

After 35 years in prison Tom Brant returns to Medicine Bow. A newspaper reporter's story about him stirs the interest of people who had various connections to him. People swarm to him for different reasons including the money he hid.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderGuest stars Kimberly Beck, Don Keefer, Marvin Brody, Dee Pollock, Victor Jory, Med Flory, Linden Chiles, Larry J. Blake

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Episode 26

The Wolves Up Front, the Jackals Behind

Randy goes to Montana to pick up a mare and see his childhood friend Georgie Sam with whom he plans to start a horse ranch. Randy is introduced to a rancher's daughter who he falls in love with but her family is suddenly in a crisis.

Episode credits

Directed by Paul StanleyGuest stars Jay C. Flippen, Peggy Lipton, James Farentino, Michael J. Pollard, Donnelly Rhodes, Bing Russell

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Episode 27

That Saunders Woman

The Virginian attempt to recover money Shiloh spent on diseased cattle becomes embroiled in a blackmail attempt and finally murder. A pretty woman is involved who was just released from prison for murder and is the talk of Medicine Bow.

Episode credits

Written by Don BrinkleyGuest stars Sheree North, Tol Avery, Douglas Henderson

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Episode 28

No Drums, No Trumpets

Starr with Trampas agrees to go to Mexico to check the security of a town where A US Senator and a Mexican Governor plan to sign a treat. All looks okay so Trampas leaves but Starr soon finds he is in the middle of an assassination plot.

Episode credits

Directed by Arthur H. NadelWritten by Arthur H. NadelGuest stars Eric Braeden, Michael Fox, Eduardo Ciannelli, Julie Adams, John Dehner, Leslie Nielsen, Richard Devon, Rex Holman

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Episode 29

A Bald-Faced Boy

1h 30m

Randy's family visits from the hills of Bald Knob to protect him from a Claiborne who has been released from prison. Randy's testimony helped send him to prison. His daughter a childhood friend of Randy complicates his desire for revenge.

Episode credits

Directed by Earl BellamyGuest stars Kay E. Kuter, Andrew Duggan, Kent McCord, Andrew Prine, Royal Dano, Michael Stanwood

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Episode 30

The Mark of a Man

finale

The Virginian takes responsibility for a young man he injured when the man vandalized Medicine Bow. The man is intelligent but from a poor background. His girlfriend's wealthy father wants him gone to protect his daughter who is in love.

Episode credits

Directed by Anton LeaderGuest stars Barry Primus, Jean Willes, Irene Tedrow, Stuart Nisbet, Brooke Bundy, Bill Quinn, Harold J. Stone

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about The Virginian

Cast

Doug McClureTrampas
James DruryThe "Virginian"
Lee J. CobbRichter Henry Garth
Lee MajorsRoy Tate
Roberta ShoreBetsy Garth
Sara LaneElizabeth Grainger
Randy BooneRandy Benton
Diane RoterJennifer Sommers

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
249
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • NBCUnited States
  • Universal TelevisionUnited States
  • Revue StudiosUnited States
  • NBCUnited States

Themes

19th centuryranch