This episode is one of my favorites from the first season. The story is a bit loose and confusing--partly because it mixes in actual historical events, and partly because it's mostly told in a flashback style. It also manages to work in a few hilarious scenes with all of the ground it covers, and the episode almost feels like a mini-epic.
The Cartwrights' tree-cutting scene is a real gem. The boys complain about the time required to cut down the huge Ponderosa pine they just axed down, but Ben chastises them by pointing out that the tree took 400 years to grow; Adam waxes about all of the wonderful things these ancient trees will provide once cut: houses and ships! But, don't worry...the Cartwrights are "green" after all, and Ben requires the boys the plant a sapling everytime they cut one down...yep, it'll be a forest again in a hundred years!
The next scene is even more amazing...the whole clan has a bit of fun with Hoss's new buffalo rifle. They have no idea who the men chasing Comstock might be (or even who Comstock is), but that doesn't stop them from having target practice on the clueless fellows from a half mile away. Joe even shoots one in the arm, much to the amusement of his siblings. These Cartwrights can be a downright ornery bunch, best stay away from their land!
A few plotlines seem to go nowhere, such a the worthless "blue stuff" Comstock notices in the diggings (turquoise maybe?). The dance scene is just plain weird, including those ornery Cartwrights making fun of the weight-challenged ladies. Also notable is the assortment of background music, ranging from orchestral to surf guitar. The episode ends on an unusual note; instead of threatening the squatter, they actually give him a bit of charity...I guess the Cartwrights were in a good mood after recounting all of the fun stuff in recalling Comstock's story. Great stuff, this episode!moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
The Cartwrights are met by an old coot with a gun who claims they're on his land; he even has a deed signed by Henry Comstock to prove it. They explain that the paper is worthless because Comstock was a con-man always on the run and perpetrating a scam. The episode flashes back to how Comstock accidentally found the huge silver deposit while trying to pull a swindle, and how Virginia City got its name.moreless
-
Dan Blocker
Eric "Hoss" Cartwright (1959-1972)
-
Lorne Greene
Ben Cartwright
-
Pernell Roberts
Adam Cartwright (1959-1965)
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
Trivia
-
Help by adding trivia to this episode. Add trivia
-
-
Notes
ADD NOTES- Scenes for this episode were filmed on location at Angeles National Forest and Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park, both in California. Edit
- At the same time they appeared in this episode, Bruce Gordon and Abel Fernandez were appearing in The Untouchables as Frank Nitti and Agent William Youngfellow respectively. Edit
- This episode is also known as "The Henry Comstock Story". Edit
-
Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Ben: I know all about them. That's why I came to the Ponderosa. My sons and I. That's why I made my vow. That never, would these thousand square miles of God made country be delivered into the hands of those spoilers. Those destroyers. Comstock, if I so much see a man digging for gold, anywhere on my land, I'll shoot him at sight. Edit
- Joe: Sure fine tasting meat, chief. What is it? Chief Winnemucca: Rattlesnake. Joe: It really is very good. Chief Winnemucca: We have plenty. Eat more. Joe: Uh, no thanks — I'm not a very big eater. Edit
- Hoss: (to Joe) You be sure and save me some of that tarantula juice, y'hear? Edit
-
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS- Chief Winnemucca (approx 1820 - 1882) - chief of the Northern Paiutes. He was also known as Poito Edit
- Sarah Winnemucca (1844-1891) - the daughter of Chief Winnemucca, was a political activist, lecturer, school organizer and author. Edit
- Henry TP Comstock (1820-1870) - Canadian silver prospector Edit
Show Forums
Add a Topic
See All
Last Activity
Replies
-
The Hopefuls
10/25/111
-
The Mill
10/25/111
-
Badge Without Honor
10/25/111
-
Showdown
10/24/111
-
Death at Dawn
10/24/111
-
The Spitfire
S 2 : Ep 17
Aired 1/14/61
-
The Courtship
S 2 : Ep 16
Aired 1/7/61
-
The Blood Line
S 2 : Ep 15
Aired 12/31/60
-
Bloodline
S 2 : Ep 15
Aired 1/1/60
Related Shows
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 32
Death at Dawn
Ep 31
Dark Star
Ep 30
Feet of Clay
Ep 29
Bitter Water
Ep 28
San Francisco
Ep 27
The Last Trophy
Ep 26
The Avenger
Ep 25
Escape to Ponderosa
Ep 25
Escape to the Ponderosa
Ep 24
The Stranger
Ep 23
Desert Justice
Ep 22
Blood on the Land
Ep 21
The Spanish Grant
Ep 20
The Fear Merchants
Ep 19
The Gunmen
Ep 18
A House Divided
Ep 17
The Outcast
Ep 16
El Toro Grande
Ep 15
The Last Hunt
Ep 14
The Sisters
Ep 13
Vendetta
Ep 12
The Hanging Posse
Ep 11
The Truckee Strip
Ep 10
The Magnificent Adah
Ep 9
Mr. Henry Comstock
Ep 8
The Philip Diedesheimer Story
Ep 7
The Saga of Annie O'Toole
Ep 6
The Julia Bulette Story
Ep 5
Enter Mark Twain
Ep 4
The Paiute War
Ep 3
The Newcomers
Ep 2
The Sun Mountain Herd
Ep 2
Death On Sun Mountain
Ep 1
A Rose for Lotta
-
jaynashvil EDITOR
User Score: 6012
-
scc1fan
User Score: 743
-
karo479
User Score: 400
-
Lucey
User Score: 399
-
Pahana
User Score: 104
-
char2renee
User Score: 74
-
rgrimsley
User Score: 72
-
millerem99
User Score: 62
-
midniteeve
User Score: 54
-
tvwatcher21
User Score: 47
More
Less
