Another powerful episode from the last three years - the drama in these years exceeds the drama of all the past seasons. Ben remains constant in his devotion to the legal system, and never to taking the law into one's own hands. Good for him!
It's the best episode I've seen, but I haven't seen hardly any. What do you recon is the best episode of the series? Cause there's no chance I'll be able to watch all 8 million episodes lol
@@sawmaster6095 The earlier episodes when they were trying to figure out each actor's role weren't inspiring, but later episodes -which I've mostly seen since childhood- have core lessons on how to be your best overall; kind, trustworthy, loyal etc. & defend your principles regardless. Also, a few episodes directed by Michael Landon -which are usually the episodes I coincidentally like more without knowing till someone points them out- are unquestionably a notch above the regular episodes.
I remember seeing this when I was a kid. It was one of the darkest episodes of Bonanza, and one of the most dramatic, too. Alfred Ryder really excelled at playing evil. Thanks for posting.
Having lived in Lake Tahoe for over 50 years I have not only been to the Ponderosa during an actual shooting but on horseback have ridden over the majority of all filming areas and in many of these episodes over the years I can honestly say I am a part of what once was simply just my being there I could relive my past literally in every episode
Great episode one of my favorites. Also a huge fan of the episode titled ( Night of Reckoning ) season 9 i believe it's another great joe saving the day themed episode just like this one . Michael did a great job directing this episode. I always love the episodes where little joe saves the day . #1 little joe fan always
@ptyao7431 Being a bit curious I'd like to know what's the relationship between an episode written ( like many great others) by Michael Landon and the fact that Pernell Roberts had left Bonanza. Really I can't understand!!! Pernell left Bonanza years before this episode were written.
I think this is the only known time in the whole series where Adam is mentioned in front of Candy! This was quite an episode. I believe Michael Landon directed it too.
This episode was written by Michael Landon, all of Michael Landon's episodes that he writes are about being in danger and almost getting killed or someone they've known all their lives happened to be killed.
You are wrong , most of episodes written and directed by Michael are full of emotion , equal human right and social status. Less killing and fighting. Please pay mre time and patient to watch his contribution and production before giving your comments.
Michael Landon RIP! This episode is worthy of a RED CARPET OSCAR! Hardly an episode, AN AMAZZZZZZZING MOVIE! Heartfelt Thank You! I LOVE ME SOME CARTWRIGHT MEN!
...@minute 2:40 the beginning music sets the stage. However, after the tragic suffering and ending for revenge listen at 43:35 towards the end. The ending background music with the bassoon, French horn and clanking bells was so so melancholy and set the stage for the ending scenes. Tremendo!
I have an uncomfortable theory about this wonderful series and Dan Blocker's early death, and that is that his 300+ pounds -- and the pressure on him to maintain that unhealthy weight -- is exactly what killed him at age 43. In fact, I'd say it's obvious, although he could have had numerous other issues unconnected to his weight. The point is that he would have been STRONGLY DISCOURAGED by everyone associated with the series, especially his bosses, from losing ANY of that weight, even if it put his life at risk. So he really sacrificed himself for his job in a way that very, very few actors, or any of us, are ever called upon to do. As I say, it's obvious, though I've never seen it said out loud.
For the first time, Ben made a bad decision...taking a short cut...such evil and treachery against their own. I see why others of the human families didn't have a chance..ugh
There was a similar episode of Gunsmoke in Season 20 called "Hard Labor". You'd have to really be an evil bastard to run something like in this episode. Check out the Gunsmoke episode too if you get a chance.
It's the plausibility of something like this happening that makes my blood run cold. In that day and age, it would be extremely possible for evil men to kidnap travelers and enslave them.
Then they would have had to live with being the judge and jury and had that on their conscience for the rest of their lives -they themselves would have to live in a life-long mental prison. they would have been always trying to convince themselves they what they did was right while their conscience which is the voice of GOD would have told them otherwise until they died. and that would have stopped them from really enjoying all that gold they worked hard for.
Can anyone tell me if this episode contains the last reference to Adam? Released in season 12, but shot during season 10. Was there any direct or indirect references to Adam during seasons 11-14 outside this episode?
There were two in S11, filmed after this ep, but no there aren't any more after that, unless you accept what some people say that Joe calls for Adam in Bushwhacked when he is delirious.
According to Parnell Roberts’s Wikipedia article, this was the last episode of Bonanza in which Adam is mentioned. I listened but didn’t hear it. Maybe I just missed it. Did anyone else catch it? if so, at what point, please? Thanks
anyone know the episode number or name where the Cartwright brothers thought Ben was dead so they took off in all seperate directions looking for the killer, been trying to find it with no luck.
