Robert Culp guest-stars as former gunfighter Ed Payson. When he tries to buy supplies from general store owner Will Cass (Dabbs Greer), he is coldly refused service; it seems that, before hanging up his guns, Ed killed Will's son. Befriending Ed, Adam Cartwright tries to mollify Cass, but things only go from bad to worse. Others in the cast include Ray Daley (Billy Buckley), Abbagail Shelton (Sally), Robert Christopher (Cahill), and Richard Rosmini (Jamie). Originally shown on October 29, 1961, "Broken Ballad" was written by John T. Kelley. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi