Even though this episode was not really that bad, it was on of those flashback shows that are usually saved for when the writers have nothing left. In this episode, when Adam is very ill, Ben flashes back to when he was a first mate on a New England merchant ship and remembers falling in love with Adam's mother, Elizabeth.
It just so happens that Elizabeth's father, Captain Stoddard, is the person that Ben is working for on the ship. When salty Captain Stoddard falls on hard times it could jeopardize the relationship between Ben and Elizabeth. Ben has faith in Captain Stoddard and will try to get fallen Captain to stand on his feet and also get the hand of his lovely daughter. But it will not be easy, as the Captain wants to set to sea again at any cost.
The best thing about this episode is that we learn Ben's early life and how and why he went west to start a life. Plus we get a look inside the life of Adam's mother which is always a positive. But this story just seemed too long. It just did not have the feel of a Bonanza episode.