Richard Boone stars as Paladin, a West Point-educated former cavalry officer and San Francisco gentleman who makes his living as a "fixer" of sorts. He settles disputes and solves problems that could escalate into violence. While he is very skilled with a gun and with his fists, he's intended to be a guile hero rather than an action hero, and he always tries to do his job with minimal conflict.
This creates some interesting situations, often from people underestimating Paladin. When people see the business card that reads "Have Gun - Will Travel", they will often assume that he is a professional killer - an association which Paladin resents. This means they won't hire him until he proves himself otherwise or the situation gets worse. On the hand, it means they'll hire him to kill someone, which he will refuse to do.
The show is certainly a product of the time, and being a CBS series, there's a lot to get through. I've only just finished the first season, which is 39 episodes long. However, the tone can range from comedic to serious, which helps Richard Boone exhibit his talent.
I really enjoy spotting familiar faces when I watch it. For example, the second episode has Paladin meeting a sheriff's posse looking for a gunman, played by a young Charles Bronson. Paladin finds him, tries to convince him to give up, and then helps him evade the posse long enough for him to get home to see his newborn son.
Overall, the show is a good way to pass the time, while trying to have some variety within its own formula.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Gene Roddenberry wrote a lot of it.
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