Bonanza (TV Series) Thunder Man (1963) User Reviews

Excellent episode with a well written script

[chronis5260 · 9/10 · 21 May 2014]

As previously stated, Simon Oakland plays a traveling explosive salesman (The Thunder Man!) who also is a serial killer and rapist, but hides his demons well and appears courteous and friendly to almost everyone. Even though we know early on who the killer is, the episode is an entertaining one as we see how he is slowly revealed and wonder at times if he will get away with it, much like the format of the Columbo series. Having an explosives salesman makes for some entertaining scenes, and despite how evil he is it makes one think how interesting of a career that might have been. Also, as the previous reviewer stated, makes one wonder how many serial killers may have existed in the Old West, and today as well, that went or go undetected.

While has a disturbing storyline, is an excellent episode with an intriguing plot and good acting, definitely well worth watching.

Simon Oakland shines !

[ronnybee2112 · 8/10 · 26 September 2020]

This was a memorable Bonanza episode. I cannot hesitate to say that Simon Oakland stole the show on this episode. He had a lead part and he was good without over-doing it. Oakland was a minor tough-guy in a vast number of tv shows from the mid 1950's through the late 1970's. We get to watch Mr. Oakland play a comically creepy part in a rather melodramatic episode. For laughs alone,I liked it!

Bonanza's finest hour

[LukeCoolHand · 10/10 · 14 February 2022]

Wow - what a great episode. For years I had this title mixed up with another episode that was poor and I did not like very much, so I never watched this one until today and am I glad I did. I rate this episode in the top 10 of all Bonanza episodes. Even maybe as the best. Holds your attention all the way through with a great plot. Even as one reviewer commented, it even has a touch of Columbo - the viewer starts out seeing who the killer is and everyone is trying to figure it out from very interesting clues.

I won't get into the plot as other reviewers sometimes do, after all this is supposed to be for reviews, not for retelling of the story. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and will probably watch it all over again when it comes back on.

A Horrifying crime

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 26 September 2020]

In the Bonanza tradition a young girl who Little Joe was courting is brutally raped and murdered Her father who had a stroke was a horrified and silent witness to the crime.

While Harvey Stephens lies in bed the law and the Cartwrights look for a killer. Michael Landon takes it upon himself and it was a piece of music and some dumb luck that traps the killer.

By the way the song is Buffalo Gals with a different title.

We know who the killer is from the beginning and it's a frightening performance this player gives.

It's a good episode that's more melodrama than western.