Unbeknownst to him, Hoss Cartwright has fallen in love at first sight with a woman of ill-repute (played in an extremely polite manner by Gena Rowlands) who is visiting her sister from racy San Francisco. This being 1963, the writers can't use the words 'jezebel' or 'prostitute', but the point is made clear when Adam Cartwright is seduced by man-hungry Gena right in her sister's front yard! The crux of the story however is a bit outdated, that a woman with a bad reputation is much like a leopard--she could never change her spots. Rowlands gets a good lecturing by Ben Cartwright--we even get to see the Cartwright brothers come to blows (minus Little Joe, who spends this entire episode hovering in the background). I'm not sure why the "Bonanza" stories couldn't feature each of the main characters equally when it came to tales of family conflict, but it seems the lead parts were divvied up week by week. This fifth season of the show was strong on episodes featuring Dan Blocker's Hoss prominently, and here he gets to utilize a colorful range: lovestruck rancher, clumsy gentleman caller, jealous boyfriend, hurt and angry brother. It's a triumph for both Blocker and Hoss, as we see a loyal and dedicated side to the big guy when it comes to matters of the heart (he even agrees to leaving his precious Ponderosa if his lady-love wants a life in the city). The film-stock used on "Bonanza" was terrific, as the colors just pop off the screen, and Rowlands (in an off-the-shoulder, Lily Langtree-styled party dress) has never looked so dreamy. Blocker, too, looks a might handsome, and his devotion to her is exceptionally heartfelt for a weekly western television program.
4 Reviews
Tale of two sisters
bkoganbing5 May 2017
Season five of Bonanza began with this tale of two sisters. Jeanne Cooper is not thrilled with the prospect of younger sister Gena Rowlands coming home to Virginia City. Rowlands is a notorious flirt who uses and disposes of men as it suits her. Kind of like Scarlett O'Hara without the southern accent and the roots of Tara.
But Dan Blocker is smitten with her. And as we know Hoss Cartwright is a good hearted soul who only sees the good in people. But Pernell Roberts is a more worldly person and he was recently in San Francisco where he heard tales of Rowlands and her men.
This leads to a split in the Cartwright family, but how it is all resolved is for you to see the story.
It's a nicely written story with both Cooper and Rowlands and Blocker and Roberts of the regulars dominating the story.
But Dan Blocker is smitten with her. And as we know Hoss Cartwright is a good hearted soul who only sees the good in people. But Pernell Roberts is a more worldly person and he was recently in San Francisco where he heard tales of Rowlands and her men.
This leads to a split in the Cartwright family, but how it is all resolved is for you to see the story.
It's a nicely written story with both Cooper and Rowlands and Blocker and Roberts of the regulars dominating the story.
The crux of the story however is a bit outdated ???
billbothers3 March 2018
"The crux of the story however is a bit outdated, that a woman with a bad reputation is much like a leopard--she could never change her spots."
Don't see how this is outdated, unless you are referring to today's TV's reluctance to show ANY woman in bad light, in any circumstance (especially a beautiful one).
I guess it is 'outdated' in that it is a bit too truthful for the 21st century.
Don't see how this is outdated, unless you are referring to today's TV's reluctance to show ANY woman in bad light, in any circumstance (especially a beautiful one).
I guess it is 'outdated' in that it is a bit too truthful for the 21st century.
Excellent opener for the 5th season
glitterrose19 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Gena Rowlands is a pretty dependable actress. You see her in something and you know she's gonna turn out a fantastic performance. This episode is no exception.
I do think Ben needs to have a long talk with all of his sons. Yeah, Gena's character is supposedly a "jezebel" and her sister definitely doesn't go easy on her. Here's the thing: I wanted to side more with Gena's character when the sister was talking about her man being stolen away from her. Imo that doesn't seem like much of a loss. True, it's gotta hurt when your sister doesn't know how to keep hands off your man. But would you REALLY want to be married to somebody that's so fickle that they could easily go to another because they look pretty or give you enough attention? I wouldn't.
I love the comparison between Gena's character who obviously can't keep her clothes on around men and you had Joe being in heat at the beginning of the episode. The Cartwrights fall in "love" at the drop of a hat. Just how many women have they truly been with? I know we're dealing with a different time period. You wouldn't see the Cartwrights having a graphic sex scene or even a cleaned up sex scene. I REALLY have a hard time picturing the brothers being virgins.
So back to my topic about Ben needs to have a talk with his sons: You had Hoss seeing Gena's character "making love" to Adam when they were kissing. Although I wouldn't have minded seeing an actual love scene. ;) Anyway, Hoss gets upset and starts beating up on his own brother. Adam's been in your life a lot longer and is more trustworthy than a woman that you've known/fallen in love with in the span of a week (?). Would you REALLY think Adam would do that to Hoss? I don't think any of the brothers would go out of their way to emotionally hurt each other. Think with the head on your head instead of the one in your pants.
Anyway, this was a thoroughly enjoyable episode and I'd highly recommend it.
I do think Ben needs to have a long talk with all of his sons. Yeah, Gena's character is supposedly a "jezebel" and her sister definitely doesn't go easy on her. Here's the thing: I wanted to side more with Gena's character when the sister was talking about her man being stolen away from her. Imo that doesn't seem like much of a loss. True, it's gotta hurt when your sister doesn't know how to keep hands off your man. But would you REALLY want to be married to somebody that's so fickle that they could easily go to another because they look pretty or give you enough attention? I wouldn't.
I love the comparison between Gena's character who obviously can't keep her clothes on around men and you had Joe being in heat at the beginning of the episode. The Cartwrights fall in "love" at the drop of a hat. Just how many women have they truly been with? I know we're dealing with a different time period. You wouldn't see the Cartwrights having a graphic sex scene or even a cleaned up sex scene. I REALLY have a hard time picturing the brothers being virgins.
So back to my topic about Ben needs to have a talk with his sons: You had Hoss seeing Gena's character "making love" to Adam when they were kissing. Although I wouldn't have minded seeing an actual love scene. ;) Anyway, Hoss gets upset and starts beating up on his own brother. Adam's been in your life a lot longer and is more trustworthy than a woman that you've known/fallen in love with in the span of a week (?). Would you REALLY think Adam would do that to Hoss? I don't think any of the brothers would go out of their way to emotionally hurt each other. Think with the head on your head instead of the one in your pants.
Anyway, this was a thoroughly enjoyable episode and I'd highly recommend it.
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