Bonanza (TV Series) The Dark Gate (1961) User Reviews

James Coburn goes crazy after contracting syphilis at a local brothel

[Sean_Biggins · 8/10 · 1 December 2021]

I found watchin' this episode made me feel very sad and dark, the kinda way a man doesn't wanna feel when he's sleepin' alone in the dark, lookin' out fer his cattle on the dusty range. The basic story here is that James Coburn goes haywire; irrational, weird and nasty, thinkin' his wife is rollin in the hay with his best friend (which she ain't), but there's just no talkin to a man who clearly has an advanced case of syphilis and ain't right in the head. He's so mean to everyone here -- hell he's even mean to his HORSE! What a kinda sick, rotten fella takes his anger out on a poor old beast of burden? It just ain't right, and I suggest that if you plan to watch this, make sure to keep yer youngins' outta the room 'cause it just ain't right for children to have to watch a man be taken over by the devil like this poor fella was, not to mention all the collateral damage he caused while spiraling down into the fiery pits of hell.

A surprise for Adam

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 7 July 2020]

When Pernell Roberts goes to neighbor James Coburn's house to get him to retrieve some of his cattle mixed in with Ponderosa stock and help with the branding he gets quite a shock. He finds a frightened spouse in Cece Whitney and Coburn acting like a raving lunatic accusing Roberts of an affair with Whitney.

A dark cloud of mental illness has settled on Coburn, but he's also still rational enough to recruit a gang and become a multi-crime criminal enterprise, His own me are scared of him and with good reason.

The story offers no solutions just a frightening picture of mental degeneration from James Coburn. One for James Coburn fans.

Undone

[jilljohnson-80359 · 7/10 · 23 March 2024]

This is so dang 😔 😔sad I grew up watching bonanza and James coburn to present. I loved the tv show and mr. Coburn exactly. Never dissapointed. This show is so tragic. Mental illness has claimed more lives than any other disease (to be safe my opinion) there is help out there many lives have been spared. Sadly many missed due to multitude of reasons. Ross and Adam are long time friends as wife delphine. Ross' demeanor has changed significally over a years time noticed by Adam everytime he visits. Ross starts abusing his wife accusing her and Adam of trysts. Not. His jumbled mind starts illegal activities hiring undesirables. Actually the leader had principles not wanting violence unless .... Ross lost all his. I was glad Adam took her to the ponderosa! More tragic events where Ross abuses delphine, tears the place up and Adam finds her as she dies. Jesus. Ross goes on a killing spree ending his misery. For a moment we see Ross as the man he was. He lost time from his anniversary to his death ten months.

I'm so glad there is treatment out there. Still judgemental a.h.s (spelling?) Throw cheap shots and accusatory invective. I don't think it was due to any std I believe paranoid schizophrenia. One more thought dementia? Everso possible even in our young years.

How can I find my way back?

[mitchrmp · 10/10 · 28 July 2014]

Main characters: Ross and Dalphine Marquette

Bonanza character: Adam

ames Coburn plays a man who's losing his mind. No longer is he the loving, devoted husband and friend. Instead, a monster is in his place - one who beats his wife, rustles cattle, and longs to kill his best friend.

This is a good example of what happens when mental illness takes over a body. The episode ends tragic, and even though I'm not a big Adam fan, watching Adam break down like he does at the end brought tears to my eyes. This is a very moving episode.

It seems several died in this episode, though I didn't keep count (at least 6, possibly more)

Like crazy, man.

[bfreedman-07716 · 4/10 · 10 March 2021]

The second Bonanza appearance of the legendary James Coburn is wasted in a psychological drama lacking context. Coburn plays a good friend of Adam with a vague and unexplained mental illness that changes him into a murderous sociopath. Absolutely no cause is provided for his condition. There's plenty of action but without more explanation, it all seems rather pointless. Certainly mental illness exists but if you're going to base an episode on it, take the time to develop the character.