How times have changed! Back when this episode was aired, a young married woman was advised by Ben to stay married to a drunk who beat her. Her safety was not a consideration, and the episode has a "happy ending" when the couple reunites.
3 Reviews
I don't think it comes back
glitterrose16 July 2022
If I didn't know better I'd say the writer of this episode had an axe to grind against Ben Cartwright. Ben's not a know it all. He's a kind, compassionate, helpful man. This episode is another variation of a lady staying at the Cartwrights and falling for Ben. Can you blame Mary? Her husband's a drunk and he knocks her around. You compare that to a man like Ben Cartwright who wouldn't harm a hair on her head.
Ben shuts down the romance angle, makes reference to how he'd regard her as a daughter.
Thing I don't understand is Mary's taking control of her life. She wants to file for divorce from Russ. Again, I think when love's dead, it's not gonna come back. You get to that point where this is the straw that broke the camel's back and I just don't think you'll ever be able to look at that person from a loving point of view ever again. But Ben's acting so reluctant about Mary wanting a divorce, filing for divorce. Yeah, he knows Russ has been working and keeping it together for a period of time. But you flip that to what Mary said about this being a theme. So he dries out for a couple of days and it's back to usual with him. If this story was supposed to be a romance story, no, I don't see it.
Ben shuts down the romance angle, makes reference to how he'd regard her as a daughter.
Thing I don't understand is Mary's taking control of her life. She wants to file for divorce from Russ. Again, I think when love's dead, it's not gonna come back. You get to that point where this is the straw that broke the camel's back and I just don't think you'll ever be able to look at that person from a loving point of view ever again. But Ben's acting so reluctant about Mary wanting a divorce, filing for divorce. Yeah, he knows Russ has been working and keeping it together for a period of time. But you flip that to what Mary said about this being a theme. So he dries out for a couple of days and it's back to usual with him. If this story was supposed to be a romance story, no, I don't see it.
No father figure
bkoganbing25 November 2020
Someone with a little less character than Ben Cartwright would have grabbed a
chance for some intimacy with Diane Baker when she offers herself to him. But
Lorne Greene recognizes that all Baker wants is a protective father figure and not a desire totruly be the mistress of the Ponderosa.
Baker and her alcoholic husband Paul Richards arrove at the Ponderosa. When Richards drinks he can be brutal to her.
The gossip gets hot and heavy for a bit. Nice performances from the guest stars even though the resolution is a bit Pollyannish.
Baker and her alcoholic husband Paul Richards arrove at the Ponderosa. When Richards drinks he can be brutal to her.
The gossip gets hot and heavy for a bit. Nice performances from the guest stars even though the resolution is a bit Pollyannish.
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