Episode Discussions

I saw a short synopsis of a fanfic that stated the reason Adam was no longer on the Ponderosa was because he had died. Is the title of the episode a clue to Adam's fate? P.S. The way Johan looked at his sister was not very brotherly!

I don't think it's controversial to say that "The Hunter" is a strange final episode for the series. I know they were canceled too abruptly to have time for any dedicated wrap-up, and intentional "finale episodes" weren't common on television at the time anyway - but it's still an odd episode to close on, with the overall dark tone and the very grim final shots. So! It got me thinking - which Bonanza episode WOULD make a good finale for the series? That's not to say that I would have wanted the show to end at some earlier point - only that if it had, a particular episode would have been a satisfying conclusion. I think "Death at Dawn," the final episode of…

How fired was Frank for leaving Joe in charge at the telegraph office?!

My copy of Ruta Lee's memoir: Consider Your @$$ Kissed! I have not started it yet.

The Julie Bulette Story Plot: Little Joe falls in love with the owner of the town's newest saloon, much to the embarrassment of his family, the chagrin of the moralizing town leaders and citizens, and the anger of the rival for her affection. Original Air Date: October 17, 1959 Director: Christian Nyby Writer: Al C. Ward You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk. What would you have done differently in The Julie Bulette Story? How would you have made the episode better? Add a scene? Delete a scene? If so which one(s) and why? Change an actor portraying a gu…

With the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Men's Basketball Tournament getting ready to kick off March Madness (March 15, 2026), here's your chance to participate -- Bonanza-style. Respond to this thread between now and midnight (EDT) April 6, 2026 (the date of the Championship game in Indianapolis, IN) with any images from Bonanza where you would 'swear' that the one (or more) of the Cartwrights, Recurring Characters, or Guest Stars have gone "MAD"! (Remember Martin Landau as Emeliano in 'The Gift'?) Please remember to include the episode title with the screen cap.

As we enter a new year, Brand would like to introduce a new discussion forum. Each Friday, a new episode will be presented. As with all new beginnings, let's start where it all began: Lotta Crabtree is hired by mining tycoon Alpheus Troy and his cronies to lure a Cartwright into town to be held for ransom in exchange for Ponderosa timber rights. Director: Edward Ludwig Writer: David Dortort First Aired: September 12, 1959 Do you have a favorite scene from the episode? Maybe it's a least favorite scene? Why? What might you have like to see done differently? Would you have hired a different ac…

HarpistforHim began a thread about Bonanza episodes adapted books or plays; what Bonanza episodes may have been adapted from other TV programs or what other TV programs aired their own version of a Bonanza episode?

Anyone else notice this: Claire shows the picture of Marie to Joe and asks if she was his mother. He said yes. Then she mentions that he was probably quite young when she died. He said yes and that she died right after he was born. In other episodes that mentioned the death of Marie, Joe was either 4 or 5 years old when she died. Marie's picture was the only one of Ben's three wives on the desk. What happened to the pictures of Elizabeth and Inger?

Many have mentioned Dan's affinity for kids and how well he worked wth them (we'll ignore the fact that he often called them by their real name instead of their character name because he did the same with Mike 😂). With so many to choose from, which episode is your favorite and why?

I'm watching "the Julia Bulette Story" right now. For me, seasons 1-3 are far superior to all the rest. I like the family focus and comradery among the Cartwrights...even with Hop Sing. OK, most of all, Adam was at his finest. Woof!!!

Several episodes featured Joe teaching someone something. What's your favorite? Discuss and/or post a screencap.

We all know how much Joe loved Cochise...and Michael did, too. In September 1964, an intruder broke into the Fat Jones Stables in North Hollywood, where the show's horses were boarded and savagely maimed a number of them some of which had to be put down, including Cochise. Michael offered a $5,000 reward (=$52,250 today) but the culprit was never found. Post your favorite Joe/horse pic (any horse) and tell us why you chose it and/or discuss the episode.

I watched this episode last night, and had so many thoughts I decided to ramble it all into a thread... So this is a tough, very heavy episode, about an old friend of Ben's who has a psychotic break related to war-time PTSD. I'd remembered that basic premise from previous viewings but I'd forgotten some of the details. First, it really struck me how disturbing it is when Rowan has his initial break and starts randomly shooting at people on the street (including hitting Ben). It's quite a violent moment and shocking in its suddenness and randomness. Including a woman and her child on the street (who I don't think are shot - we don't see them again) adds an …

With so many new members, we though to bring back the Episode Discussions. As the forum description indicates, we've all watched the Network Cuts, the original airings and/ or the "modified to fit in the time allowed" versions. The Brandsters are giving our member the chance to discuss the episodes as if you were the writer or maybe even sat in the director's chair. What is your take on the episodes? We'll start with where Bonanza first began: A Rose for Lotta Note: The earlier discussions have been archived. They are available for viewing, but commenting has been turned off in favor of new discussions when t…

For those in the United States who are missing Bonanza and other classic westerns, there is a new frontier coming to town... I mean the airwaves. WEST channel (Western Entertainment Series Television - check your local TV substations, a sister station to MeTV) will officially launch on September 29th. I've already re-scanned my TV and found it. I don't know what cable/satellite stations will choose to broadcast it. Right now, it is airing a continuous loop (think commercial) announcing it is coming. WEST <- check out the link for a partial listing of programs and how they will be broadcast. I've not been able to find schedule but presume one will be publi…

I was watching Clarissa this morning (Season 8, episode 32) and caught a rare rebuke of someone other than Joe putting his foot on the table! I laughed because, as we know, it's such an infrequent thing that anyone besides poor Joe gets told off. Naturally, I had to rush over here and post about it You can even see Ben gesturing at Hoss's foot in the scene and a somewhat weary expression ("those boys and their feet!"). Too fun.

I came across this video - a historian (and Bonanza fan) wishing to keep the history of Bonanza alive. Hope you enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk4FR4GV4TY

I just finished Part Two of "The Pursed" last night and was going to put it in the "What Episode Did You Watch" thread...but then realized I had a LOT of thoughts! This is such an interesting and unexpected episode, centering on the Cartwrights' friendship with a Mormon family, and the intolerance that family faces. Spoilers below if you haven't seen it! I remember that the first time I saw this episode (relatively recently because it wasn't on syndication), I was quite surprised to see Ben Cartwright speak out favorably about polygamy - although on this rewatch, I think he's speaking much more strongly on tolerance, which is a bit of a distinction and actua…

After watching so many episodes it strikes me that of all the many unmarried women who’ve traversed the Ponderosa, almost none have (Living) mothers. The only ladies that come to mind are Abigail Jones and the Baltimore lady. Two others are the mother/daughter pair in Abner Willoughby and the lovely Regina Rossi of Big Shadow on the Land, although neither were central female figures in the episodes. Almost all the others are in the company of often domineering and/or overly protective male relatives (fathers, brothers, uncles). I suppose the struggle for independence of these women creates a tension necessary for the plot line, but would a benign maternal figure h…

What episodes are the best for a good time. Nothing too dramatic. I was thinking of watching "Bank Run" or "The Frenchman"

Hey Adam Gals and Bonanza Fans, I'm an Adam Gal and like very few of the episodes post-1965, but there are a few I really like. My favorite is "The Medal". I think it really portrays issues experienced by veterans coming home. Dean Stockwell was excellent.

This was originally posted under What Episode Did You Watch, but I wanted to add it here. I was stunned, to say the least, to here what Joe told Claire. Tonight I'm watching Her Brother's Keeper. I'm about half way through it and still trying to figure out the brother's plans for his sister, Claire. However, I just discovered an odd statement by Joe that throws a big monkey wrench into his memories of Marie (and canon/fanon) and how old he was when she died. The sister who's at the Ponderosa with Ben asks about Marie after seeing her picture. Joe says, "She died right after I was born. I never knew her." When she says she's sorry about that, Joe replies, "Oh…

There's no right or wrong answers here. They're just curious as to which Cartwright we like the best, which season we like, etc. My answers were 93% similar https://www.metv.com/quiz/bonanza-fans-saddle-up-tell-us-your-bonanza-opinions

I'm losing my mind... In what episode does Joe walk in on Hoss building a house of cards and (little devil!) does he deliberately breathe hard enough to knock it down??