This Bonanza episode, although it only features one of the Cartwright boys, Adam, is a suspenseful and touching episode that many fans will enjoy.As Adam takes cover from a storm at a stagecoach station, he meets with an outlaw, a young girl who wants to travel the world against her stern grandfather's wishes, and many others. Adam uses his smarts and judgment to help bring the outlaw to justice and help the young girl. Dawn Wells, better known for her role as Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island, gives a wonderful performance, as does Robert Vaughn, who is a convincing and somewhat suave outlaw. A classic western show and a great episode.
3 Reviews
Trying to escape from a dismal life
CCsito24 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
*SPOILER ALERT*
This Bonanza episode only has Adam starring in it without his father and brothers. He decides to take cover from an approaching storm at a way station which is managed by an elder man and his granddaughter. The granddaughter is played by Dawn Wells, better known for her role in "Gilligan's Island". The young girl dreams of seeing far off places, but is kept from going outside her home by her grandfather. Her mother had left her grandfather years earlier which left him embittered. The grandfather distrusts any outsiders who will interact with his granddaughter. Soon after, another man, who is pursued by a posse comes to the way station (played by Robert Vaughn before his "Man From U.N.C.L.E." role). He and Adam "forces" the grandfather to allow them to spend the night. Soon after, a stagecoach with two travelers arrive at the way station. The couple in the stagecoach recognize the pursued man and he then takes the entire group as hostages. The granddaughter sees the pursued man as a chance to get away from her current life. The pursued man decides to make a break out before the arrival of the posse and decides to take the granddaughter with him. Adam convinces him not to and he leaves without her disappointing her. Adam then has a conversation with her that relates the main message of the episode. He tells her that he understands how she feels about her current situation. But, he believes that one should not trade one trap for another. In other words, escaping from one bad situation and ending up in another one. The granddaughter comes to understand his message and realizes what her grandfather had to deal with when her mother left him. The pursued man returns back to the way station because his route has been cut off by the posse. The posse arrives at the way station, but are told by the granddaughter that no one is there other than her grandfather and her. The posse is about to leave until one of the hostage party decides to take a risk to get out and alert the posse to get the reward money for the pursued man. He is shot and killed. Adam is able to overpower the pursued man and turn him over to the posse. At the end, the granddaughter leaves with the woman on the stagecoach to San Francisco with a referral from Adam to go to an art school there and to develop her drawing skills and start a new life for herself.
This Bonanza episode only has Adam starring in it without his father and brothers. He decides to take cover from an approaching storm at a way station which is managed by an elder man and his granddaughter. The granddaughter is played by Dawn Wells, better known for her role in "Gilligan's Island". The young girl dreams of seeing far off places, but is kept from going outside her home by her grandfather. Her mother had left her grandfather years earlier which left him embittered. The grandfather distrusts any outsiders who will interact with his granddaughter. Soon after, another man, who is pursued by a posse comes to the way station (played by Robert Vaughn before his "Man From U.N.C.L.E." role). He and Adam "forces" the grandfather to allow them to spend the night. Soon after, a stagecoach with two travelers arrive at the way station. The couple in the stagecoach recognize the pursued man and he then takes the entire group as hostages. The granddaughter sees the pursued man as a chance to get away from her current life. The pursued man decides to make a break out before the arrival of the posse and decides to take the granddaughter with him. Adam convinces him not to and he leaves without her disappointing her. Adam then has a conversation with her that relates the main message of the episode. He tells her that he understands how she feels about her current situation. But, he believes that one should not trade one trap for another. In other words, escaping from one bad situation and ending up in another one. The granddaughter comes to understand his message and realizes what her grandfather had to deal with when her mother left him. The pursued man returns back to the way station because his route has been cut off by the posse. The posse arrives at the way station, but are told by the granddaughter that no one is there other than her grandfather and her. The posse is about to leave until one of the hostage party decides to take a risk to get out and alert the posse to get the reward money for the pursued man. He is shot and killed. Adam is able to overpower the pursued man and turn him over to the posse. At the end, the granddaughter leaves with the woman on the stagecoach to San Francisco with a referral from Adam to go to an art school there and to develop her drawing skills and start a new life for herself.
Positively adequate episode with interesting guests
smithbea28 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Great to see Maryanne (Dawn Wells) in this hour long. She is just as beautiful here as on GI. Her chemistry with Pernell Roberts is very good. Also, making noteworthy appearance here is Robert Vaughn (pre-Man from Uncle). The plot seems reminiscent of Petrified Forrest.
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