This particular Bonanza episode guest starred Ed Begley as one of the Ponderosa wranglers who has worked there for over 30 years with Lorne Greene. Begley's a proud man and will not quit even though he's getting on in years. If he can do a day's work he will even if the quality of the work might be slipping.
It's good to remember that this was the days before Social Security and even an enlightened boss/owner like Ben Cartwright doesn't have a pension plan for the Ponderosa. If an old timer like Begley hasn't put anything aside, his prospects aren't good. No one ever really retired before Social Security unless you were a robber baron.
When the Cartwrights won't keep him as a wrangler, Begley falls temptation to a bad scheme by a couple of other disgruntled Ponderosa former hands, Don Barry and Renny McEvoy. Fortunately the better angels of his nature take hold.
Ed Begley delivers a fine performance in a very good Bonanza episode about the trials and pitfalls of old age.
It's good to remember that this was the days before Social Security and even an enlightened boss/owner like Ben Cartwright doesn't have a pension plan for the Ponderosa. If an old timer like Begley hasn't put anything aside, his prospects aren't good. No one ever really retired before Social Security unless you were a robber baron.
When the Cartwrights won't keep him as a wrangler, Begley falls temptation to a bad scheme by a couple of other disgruntled Ponderosa former hands, Don Barry and Renny McEvoy. Fortunately the better angels of his nature take hold.
Ed Begley delivers a fine performance in a very good Bonanza episode about the trials and pitfalls of old age.
