Dr. Mike's attempts to befriend a Latin American woman are rebuffed; the Reverend Johnson searches for a teacher to take his place.

Dr. Mike, Sully and Matthew join forces with a legendary marshal to track down the outlaws who wounded Matthew during a bank robbery. Legend says that Marshal Elias Burch has killed more than 100 men. So, when the robbery of Preston's bank causes the townspeople to question whether or not Matthew can really carry out the responsibilities of being sheriff since he doesn't wear a gun, Matthew is determined to learn from Burch and prove he can kill outlaws as well as any other peace officer can. As Dr. Mike and Sully try to stop the bloodshed, Preston and Hank also stalk the robbers, with Hank envisioning the reward money going toward the new hotel. Meanwhile, widowed school teacher Teresa Morales struggles to maintain repairs on her ranch but is too proud to accept Jake's offer of help -- until Brian steps in.

Dr. Mike, Sully and Brian are drawn into the middle of Colorado Springs' racial problems when Grace and Robert E try to enroll their son, Anthony, in the all white school. After Jake is forced to keep his campaign promise and make Robert E a member of the town council, Robert E sets up a school for the black children in shanty town. Since no white teacher will teach the children, however, the job falls to Grace. When it becomes apparent that Anthony needs much more advanced schooling than the black school can provide, Grace, Robert E and Brian try to get him into the white school. Meanwhile, Jake and Hank open their own hotel to rival Preston's new one, and the battle for business escalates.

When Sully opposes the construction of a nearby dam, he finds himself on the other side of the law and behind bars. Sully joins forces with Preston to try and peacefully stop the dam construction which will mean the end of hundreds of acres of countryside. But when Sully hears that the men Preston's hired to hijack a shipment of dynamite are determined to kill any witnesses, Sully rides with them in order to prevent the murders. However, when witnesses attest to the fact that Sully was riding with the hijackers, Matthew is forced to arrest him and Sully must go to court where Judge Webster finds him guilty and throws him in jail, creating discord in the family.

Michaela gets a surprise visit from her sister Marjorie, who turns the town upside down with her radical ideas. But even though Michaela partly agrees with Marjorie, she has to ask her to start thinking about other people's feelings.

Sully and Brian forge a true father-son bond when Brian's free-wheeling, irresponsible adolescent behavior puts him in mortal danger, and Sully disciplines him. As Brian's adopted father, Sully has let Michaela set the rules for Brian up to now. But when Brian's misbehavior with his friend Anthony puts them, and the town, in danger, Michaela and Sully realize that Brian needs -- and wants - Sully to act as Brian's real father and give the boy the boundaries he needs, which enhances and strengthens their bond.

After Cloud Dancing is beaten almost to death, Sully organizes an escape for him and the others on the reservation, which turns deadly. Sully flees with a price on his head.

Sully tries to get Cloud Dancing to safety in the north. The actions of the renegade dog soldiers take their toll on the town. An old enemy goes after Sully and Cloud Dancing.