Just in time for the end of spooky season, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 31, “Dark Star”! While hunting a wolf, Little Joe and Hoss stumble upon a young gypsy girl named Tirza. The Cartwrights soon learn she’s been rejected by her people for being born under the “dark star” and is suspected of witchcraft.

This unusual Bonanza episode features dramatic gypsy meltdowns, an exorcism of sorts, a subplot involving a stolen pig, and yes, another love story for Little Joe. Join to unpack one of Bonanza’s strangest stories yet.

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This week on the podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 30, “Feet of Clay.” When young Billy Allen’s mother dies, the Cartwrights take him in until his uncle can come for him. What they don’t realize is that Billy’s father, Vance Allen, has recently escaped from prison—and he’s coming for his son.

This heartfelt episode explores the bond between fathers and sons, the meaning of “feet of clay” through both Billy and Hoss’s perspectives, and gives Dan Blocker a chance to define the character of Hoss Cartwright in one of the best scripts of Bonanza’s first season.

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This week on Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 29, “Bitter Water.” Todd McCarren has had it with the Cartwrights and decides to sell out for mining, threatening the long-standing water deal between their families. It’s a pretty typical Bonanza setup: hatred for the Cartwrights, a romantic subplot involving one of the brothers, and an ending so rushed that every conflict is neatly tied up in the last five minutes. Still, there are things to appreciate, like how good Pernell Roberts looked in this episode.

Check out the official website!

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This week we're watching Season 1, Episode 28, “San Francisco.” Arriving in the city for five days, Ben Cartwright warns his sons and hired hands about the dangers of San Francisco and the shanghaiing business... only to have his hired hands—and himself—shanghaied and soon bound for China! Classic Cartwright hijinks await in this episode, as a horrifying practice of the 1860s is turned into a lighthearted comedy.

Check out the official website!

yeehawbonanzapod.com

Follow the show on TikTok

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This week on Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 27, “The Last Trophy”! Lord Marion Dunsford and his wife Beatrice visit the Ponderosa. Once a famous big game hunter, Dunsford is now a shadow of the man he used to be, while Beatrice makes it painfully clear she is no longer interested in the man her husband is now, while setting her sights on...Adam.

There may be a cougar hunt in this episode, but let’s be honest, the real cougar is Beatrice Dunsford. 🐾

This week on Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 26, “The Avenger"! Ben and Adam Cartwright are facing execution after a shocking murder accusation from Sally Byrnes, leaving Joe and Hoss scrambling to find anyone in town willing to stand up for their family.

Enter Vic Morrow as Lassiter, a mysterious stranger with no first name, no history… and an unwavering sense of justice. Handsome and irresistibly likable, Morrow steals the spotlight with his performance as the quiet, steadfast drifter who just might be the Cartwrights' only hope.

This week on Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 25, “Escape to Ponderosa.” Three army deserters hide out on Cartwright land, nearly beat Adam to death, and are being hunted by their superior officer, Captain Bolton, who wants them dead. Ben is strangely sympathetic to the men who almost killed his son, and the episode tries hard to make us care about Paul Tyler—a deserter whose main personality trait is “guy who’s nice to horses.” Still, you can’t help but enjoy the small moments of Cartwright cuteness sprinkled throughout.

On this week’s episode of Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 24, "The Stranger." A man named Inspector LaDuke shows up in Virginia City to arrest Ben Cartwright on a 20-year-old murder charge. To make matters more complicated, the accusation is tied to Little Joe’s late mother, Marie, and her mysterious past in New Orleans. This excellent episode offers a gripping look into Ben’s and LaDuke history, sheds new light on Marie’s character, and leaves us wondering: just how much did Little Joe really know about his mother?

On this week’s episode of Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 23, "Desert Justice." When Ponderosa ranch-hand Dave Walker is accused of murder, U.S. Marshal Emmett Dowd shows up to escort him back to L.A. to stand trial. Concerned for their friend, Adam and Hoss decide to tag along to make sure things stay fair. What could’ve been a gripping character drama turns into a bit of a drag...still, Claude Akins does his best with what he's given.

On this week’s episode of Yee-Haw! A Bonanza Podcast, we’re watching Season 1, Episode 22, "Blood on the Land." Jeb Drummond and his murderous band of sheep herders figure they can do more than just pass through the Ponderosa—they can take it by force. After capturing Adam and holding him hostage, Jeb tries to strong-arm Ben into handing over 50,000 acres of Cartwright land in exchange for his son's life. It’s a decent plot, but one wonders how much stronger the episode could have been with a deeper look at Ben’s internal struggle.