Bonanza

This is one of my favorite Bonanza episodes, and I believe it was rumored to be the favorite of Pernell Roberts as well. Script and acting are superb, and talk about some of the greatest names to wear six-shooters...



(Speaking of Lee Marvin's performance, he is best known for his roles in The Dirty Dozen, among others. However, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence is very worthwhile, if you have not seen it)

Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts) was born to wealth. Guest star Lee Marvin's character was born in poverty. Adam Cartwright is a kind, honest, educated, decent man while Marvin is a tough,low life thug. Who is truly the better man? If Adam was born poor, would he be like Marvin. Adam and Marvin wind up alone in the desert, struggling to survive. The theme of the episode is who is the better man, but the subtext is who is the better actor-Roberts or Marvin. Both were marvelous, but Marvin in his prime was one of the true greats.