Bonanza 01x04: The Paiute War

If you enjoyed the last episode penned by Gene L. Coon, I have to ask why?

But there’s a chance you’ll also enjoy this one, which is also about strained relations with the Paiute and based off of an actual historical event.

We begin as we always do: with a man riding up on a horse to look at something. This time, the man is Mike Wilson, played by Jack Warden, and the something is a small trading post. Inside, Mike’s brother is negotiating a deal with two Bannock fur traders, who have brought along their wives to pick out fabrics. The Wilson brothers are intensely horrible people, and they decide to take the two women as payment for a bolt of cotton. Naturally, the fur traders object, but they’re severely beaten. And then we go to the title sequence!

It’s always jarring when the teaser is dramatic and, right after, the theme song is so jaunty.

Bonanza 01x02: Death on Sun Mountain (The Sun Mountain Herd)

In the Old West, cows were walking money, and stealing cattle was a pretty serious crime. Especially to the Cartwrights during season one, when they’re disturbingly gritty and confrontational. Episode two opens with Adam bringing Ben, Hoss and Little Joe to hide in the bushes to watch as a mysterious rustler steals three of their steer.

“So that’s what’s been happening to our cattle!” Ben grumbles instead of stopping the thief. His sons all nod angrily, also instead of stopping the thief.

We discover that the thieves are the neighbouring Paiute, after the mysterious rustler returns to a small camp to rendezvous with Chief Winnemucca. Once the mastermind is revealed, the Cartwrights emerge from a nearby hiding place brandishing fire arms. Ben demands the return of their cattle, and the mysterious rustler angrily tempts fate by shouting: “Shoot, Ben Cartwright! Shoot!” And we go to the title sequence.