The Spitfire

Season 2, Episode 17, Aired
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Episode Summary

Joe tries to stop a homesteader he finds starting a fire on the Ponderosa and ends up shooting in self-defense. Feeling responsible for the dead man's daughter, Joe brings the petulant daughter Willow back to the Ponderosa. Willow's mother Maude Hoad, a determined woman from the Kentucky hills, descends with her hulking son, intent on exacting revenge on the Cartwrights.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • An interesting story that highlights conflicts between western pioneers and Kentucky migrants. A standard conclusion.

    6.1
    "Fair"
    By Mac-Ale, Aug 24, 2008 Report Abuse
    Little Joe stops a deranged homesteader from setting fire to the land around the Ponderosa and sets off a conflict.

    For all those fans of TV making, there is a blatant cut around the four minute mark from an outdoor scene to a soundstage, right after Joe tries to reason with the dead homesteader's daughter. Fairly seamless in its execution. Aside from that, the main thrust of this installment centers around the daughter's resentment towards the rich Cartwrights (as usual, Joe takes her home to the ranch) and the culture conflict with her family. A too long ten minutes of air time is spent "cleaning her up". Of course, a nasty Kentucky clan led by a crabby grandmother invades, looking to avenge what happened to their kin.

    Maybe the most interesting facet about this episode is the emphasis that the Ozark hill people have little in common with the settlers of the west - something that is kind of interesting to think about. Not a lot of detail is invested in it, however. Still, there is a lot of fun watching Joe deal with the girl as Ben engages in a patriarch vs. matriarch game of wits with the interlopers.

    A happy conclusion results, a little of a let-down but at the same time, a sort of affirmation of peoples' common values.moreless

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  • Little Joe happens upon a homesteader, and kills him in self-defense, when Joe tries to put out his land-clearing fire, on tinder-dry land that is occupied by many other homesteaders, near Ponderosa land. The Cartwrights have to deal with the man's eye-fomoreless

    8.0
    "Great"
    By MarkTeacher01, Aug 26, 2005 Report Abuse
    Very good believabale episode !! All four Cartwrights are well represented, with Hoss playing only a minor role. Katherine Warren, as "Maud Hoad" plays a powerful role as a travel-worn matriarch of a Kentucky family that has seen more than their share of prejudice on their travels West. Mary Trent's "Taming of the Shrew" scene, with the orphaned daughter of the man Joe shot, "Willow Hoad" is both humorous and piviotal to the climatic conclusion where Maud must decide how to serve "justice" on the Cartwrights. Anita Sands, plays the "beauty" in this episode, and is convincing in her "change of heart" that ultimately is the largest contributing factor in Maud's climactic decision. Very intense, as tensions erupt, subside, then explode to an even higher level, leading to the episode climax.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • In this episode, we see what becomes a not-uncommon theme: Little Joe ignoring sound advice from his eldest brother, Adam. Even though his intentions are good, Joe's impulsive nature and stubborn refusal to hear Adam's wisdom lead to the needless death of another man. Edit
    • Nitpick: For as haggard and disheveled as Maud Hoad looks, she is clearly wearing eyeliner on both top and bottom lids...and it is perfectly done! Edit
    • Adam's bedroom is also seen in this episode. It contains a writing desk, charts, a globe and a picture of an ancient Greek or Roman building. Edit

  • Notes

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    • New scenes were filmed on location at the Iverson Ranch in California's Santa Susanna Mountains. Edit
    • German episode title: "Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung", meaning "The Taming Of The Shrew". Edit
    • This is the last episode in the public domain list. The previous 30 episodes and this one are widely available on DVD and video. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Maud Hoad: You ain't seen killin' till you killed one o' us! Edit
    • Joe: (awkwardly fixing Willow's hair) I can't do this, I'm all thumbs. Mrs. Shaunessy: You're the one who says it takes gentleness and patience. Well, stand there and be gentle and patient...Careful she don't bite a thumb off. Edit
    • Maud Hoad: (to Ben Cartwright and Sheriff Coffee) There's a law for you 'uns and a law for we 'uns and they ain't the same law. Edit

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