Bonanza (TV Series) A Dream to Dream (1968) User Reviews

An entertaining show

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 5 January 2016]

In this story, written by Michael Landon, we get a charming tale about the true meaning of life when a bottle comes between a father and his love for his wife and children.

Josh Carter is a wealthy horse rancher and is set on selling some livestock to the Ponderosa. Hoss makes the trip over to see Carter and finds that the man has some sort of problem with alcohol. It has got so bad that he spends no time with his two children and never even looks at his wife, Sarah. And as the story continues we learn that the reason for the drinking is the death of a son years ago in an accident.

Hoss get an invitation to stay at the Carter's house and sees all that is going on in the household. Hoss feels so bad for the kids and wife that he agrees to entertaining and play with the children and talk with Sarah. Sarah soon realizes that there is more to life than being ignored because of alcohol. And just may be falling for Hoss. Anyway it will lead to trouble when she backs her bags and the children and is set to ride off with Hoss to town.

This turns out to be another Hoss 'lost-love' story as it seems that Hoss would have taken Sarah and the kids if just two words were spoken. However, the script stays the course and we will learn if the threat of leaving will change the couples life together. A 'Hoss Only' episode that has a good message for viewers even today.

One of the better human interest episodes

[Tom_Barrister · 10/10 · 9 July 2013]

The writers of Bonanza generally alternated an action story with one of human interest on consecutive weeks. The action stories were straightforward and familiar fare to viewers of westerns. The human interest angle was sort of an innovation at the time, one that Gunsmoke had tried (and which that series did more of after Bonanza started doing it).

Bonanza's human interest stories might be humorous, serious, wry, melodramatic, or a combination of those. "A Dream to Dream" is a bit of each. Hoss travels to a ranch to buy some horses. The rancher turns out to be a heavy drinker who is neglecting his family. The wife and kids, especially the latter, are quick to warm to the easygoing, friendly Hoss.

To tell more would be spoiling the story. Suffice it to say that the writers did a good job with the script, and it gave Blocker a rare opportunity to show off his considerable acting ability. Bonanza fans would do well to see this episode if the opportunity offers itself.

Hoss and the kids

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 16 November 2019]

This Bonanza story takes Dan Blocker on a horse buying trip and the man he is to purchase his equines is Steve Ihnat.

Ihnat is married to Julie Harris and he has two small childdren. He's also a heavy boozer as a result of a famly tragedy a few years back.

Hoss gets along well with the kids and Harris is thinking he might be her salvation in a deteriorating marriage.

A couple of evenly matched performances from Ihnat and Harris.

If you don't recognize it the plot is taken from The Country Girl.