The story opens with Joe's nightmare, a visit by Ben and then Joe returning to bed, staring at the sheets and retreating to a nearby chair and staring at the sheets again. This is how they only could handle a bedwetting scene with the restraint of 1964 TV censorship. It's not mentioned in dialog. What happens? The story becomes a lesson in how childhood traumatic experiences can shape you as an adult. Michael Landon was a bedwetter until he was 14 years old, hence this story line.
4 Reviews
Weak
samwa-2731129 July 2018
Any episode of Bonanza, is watchable.
One difficulty, is when psychology began to be mixed into the scripts of TV westerns.
This episode has that. Far too much melodrama, and to see Joe act in so many different personalities, especially for a minor issue, just doesn't mesh with the caliber of the whole series.
One difficulty, is when psychology began to be mixed into the scripts of TV westerns.
This episode has that. Far too much melodrama, and to see Joe act in so many different personalities, especially for a minor issue, just doesn't mesh with the caliber of the whole series.
It's Joe...Mr. Cartwright, if you're nasty
glitterrose7 April 2022
Oh my goodness, what an iconic episode. I'm clearly going against the tide with how much I genuinely enjoyed the episode. So much to snark and so little time to do it in.
So let's start with the serious parts and then I'll jump to the silly stuff that was popping into my head. I understand fear. So please don't be under the assumption I'm mocking that. I have such bad anxiety to the point where I can say my life is utterly ruined. So I can sympathize with Joe that he really can't put into words what his fears are. I drove my mother crazy when she'd ask me what I was afraid of and I'd say "everything" and she just didn't get it. More than likely never would've gotten it even if she lived to be 1,000 years old. However, Joe just has this one fear that's deeply rooted in something that happened to him in the past. I thought Michael did a great job with the parts where Joe was supposed to be afraid, in panic, etc.
And I must say I absolutely adore Ben Cartwright for a father. I realize if you have a lot of entertainment sources polling for "best television father", a lot of votes would (wrongly) go to Andy Taylor from "The Andy Griffith Show". Andy was good in the black and white seasons. Everything went to hell in a hand basket when the series went to the color seasons. A tv character that used to be calm and laid back suddenly became grumpy beyond belief. Ben was an excellent father and he's right up there with Lucas McCain imo. You've got a kind and loving parent that's gonna be there for you and I can see why people might watch this series and wish to be a part of the Cartwright family because their real life family is lacking when it concerns a support system.
SO....let's get to the silliness. The mood swings were hilarious. Joe's biting Hoss, Ben and Mitch's heads off and basically just having little hissy fits throughout the whole episode. It was my head cannon that Mitch and Joe are an item and Joe's more upset at fighting with Mitch instead of his fear. One scene that really got to me involved the arm wrestling scene between Joe and Mitch. Mitch loses and he's clearly hurt because the arm wrestling was something he could be proud of and Joe took it away from him. Even Joe looks hurt at beating Mitch.
It's a shame Mitch didn't hang around because goodness knows I would've had a field day with Joe/Mitch head cannon. And if you're a "Little House on the Prairie" fan, you'll notice that the actor that played Mitch has shown up on Little House in a few appearances. I'd say the most notable appearance is he's the mime that raped Sylvia (Albert's girlfriend).
And am I the only one disappointed we didn't see Joe happily reuniting with Mitch after he had finally retrieved his rifle?
So let's start with the serious parts and then I'll jump to the silly stuff that was popping into my head. I understand fear. So please don't be under the assumption I'm mocking that. I have such bad anxiety to the point where I can say my life is utterly ruined. So I can sympathize with Joe that he really can't put into words what his fears are. I drove my mother crazy when she'd ask me what I was afraid of and I'd say "everything" and she just didn't get it. More than likely never would've gotten it even if she lived to be 1,000 years old. However, Joe just has this one fear that's deeply rooted in something that happened to him in the past. I thought Michael did a great job with the parts where Joe was supposed to be afraid, in panic, etc.
And I must say I absolutely adore Ben Cartwright for a father. I realize if you have a lot of entertainment sources polling for "best television father", a lot of votes would (wrongly) go to Andy Taylor from "The Andy Griffith Show". Andy was good in the black and white seasons. Everything went to hell in a hand basket when the series went to the color seasons. A tv character that used to be calm and laid back suddenly became grumpy beyond belief. Ben was an excellent father and he's right up there with Lucas McCain imo. You've got a kind and loving parent that's gonna be there for you and I can see why people might watch this series and wish to be a part of the Cartwright family because their real life family is lacking when it concerns a support system.
SO....let's get to the silliness. The mood swings were hilarious. Joe's biting Hoss, Ben and Mitch's heads off and basically just having little hissy fits throughout the whole episode. It was my head cannon that Mitch and Joe are an item and Joe's more upset at fighting with Mitch instead of his fear. One scene that really got to me involved the arm wrestling scene between Joe and Mitch. Mitch loses and he's clearly hurt because the arm wrestling was something he could be proud of and Joe took it away from him. Even Joe looks hurt at beating Mitch.
It's a shame Mitch didn't hang around because goodness knows I would've had a field day with Joe/Mitch head cannon. And if you're a "Little House on the Prairie" fan, you'll notice that the actor that played Mitch has shown up on Little House in a few appearances. I'd say the most notable appearance is he's the mime that raped Sylvia (Albert's girlfriend).
And am I the only one disappointed we didn't see Joe happily reuniting with Mitch after he had finally retrieved his rifle?
Lame episode with a weak story and bad acting
richardskranium22 June 2017
Let me say that I like the show bonanza. This episode has got to be the worst of all. The story is thin and drawn- out. The acting in some spots is so over-the-top that you will find yourself laughing ! If watched with the proper attitude it can be viewed as an unintended comedy. It really is lame!
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