Scififan54 Reviews

Bonanza: Something Hurt, Something Wild (1966) Season 8, Episode 1

Very Poor Episode

[1/10 · 5 August 2023]

This was a very poor episode. It was badly acted, badly written and badly directed, as well as being full of inconsistencies and improbabilities.

Joe is accused by a neighbour's daughter, Laurie Ferguson, of assault but it becomes clear that she is mentally ill. She lures him into seducing her before physically attacking him. The families are on friendly terms but the Fergusons instantly turn on the Cartwrights. There is no investigation, no questions asked or explanations sought. Laurie carries on as if nothing has happened. There is so little that is believable in the story.

The lady who played Laurie acted so badly it was almost laughable in places, although this may have had more to do with the direction and writing. It was a frenzied, dated depiction of "madness" which bears little relation with reality.

Joe is kind and forgiving, and of course, very handsome. There is one good fight scene, and these are the only saving graces of the episode. But this is definitely one of the weakest episodes in the whole of Bonanza.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

IT COULD HAVE BEEN MADE YESTERDAY

[10/10 · 12 October 2021]

What can I say? The best sci-fi film of all time, indeed, one of the best FILMS of all time. It is essential viewing for anyone worthy of being called a film buff.

From the very first scene to the very last, it is full of action, humour and special effects to die for. It's a long film, but the editing is as tight as a drum. It seems not a minute too long and you wish it could go on forever.

It's a violent film, but a very moral one. John Connor (Edward Furlong) tries to teach the Terminator the value of human life. Connor is on his own journey. He changes from a unpleasant, troubled juvenile delinquent into an intelligent and caring individual.

Faced with the imminent destruction of mankind, Connor, his mother, Sarah (Linda Hamilton) and the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) battle the newer and more powerful cyborg,, the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), as well as the sinister organisation, Cyberdyne Systems, which has created Skynet, a new artificial intelligence system. They fight to stop Skynet becoming "self-aware", and therefore murderous.

T2 is one of the few sequels which is better than the original. It has a warmth T1 does not have. It also is very funny. It has some of the most famous movie quotations - "I'll be back" or "Hasta la vista, baby".

More than anything, it's one of the coolest films ever made. Arnie exudes a cool menace as he drives on a stolen motorbike complete with stolen leathers and stolen sunglasses. The acting is second to none. Many people say Arnie's acting is wooden, but in this case it is an asset, as he struggles to comprehend human beings. Patrick portrays the T-1000 as the cold, amoral, single-minded machine it is.

The sinister music appears throughout the movie, with a threatening drum beat which once heard, can never be forgotten. It suits the apocalyptic subject material like a glove.

Brilliance comes in many forms. If you want a gripping, taut and funny sci-fi experience, complete with time travel and the threat of nuclear war, you need look no further. The whole package looks like it could have been made yesterday and the special effects would make any director proud today. It's rare that a film can remain so hyper-cool 30 years after its release.

Bonanza: Maestro Hoss (1967) Season 8, Episode 33

It Ain't No Fiddle, It's a Stradivarius!

[10/10 · 26 July 2021]

Hoss is conned by fortune-teller Madame Morova (Zsa Zsa Gabor) into believing he is a musical genius. She gives (sells) him an old fiddle which she claims is a Stradivarius. There is only one problem. He is APPALLING.

His "music" is the equivalent of fingernails scraping down a blackboard. It makes the hens stop laying, coyotes howl, horses neigh, shy and tremble their lips and small woodland creatures disappear down their holes. In one of the funniest scenes in. All Bonanza history Joe and Ben discover Hoss practising in a woodland glade. Their disbelief turns to rib-busting hilarity at the dreadful sounds he's producing. Joe is speechless with laughter and almost slips to the ground in paralysis.

However, the humour soon fades. Robbed of their sleep and deprived of their peace of mind in the day by Hoss's relentless sawing, Ben and Joe decide they must take action. The only person who enjoys it is Hop Sing, who is reminded of the music of "old China".

Perhaps it is a one-joke episode, but it does not get stale. The sounds produced by Hoss are beyond description. His determination and self-deception are matched only by the agonies of his long-suffering family.

Worth seeing for the woodland scene alone.

Bonanza: Different Pines, Same Wind (1968) Season 10, Episode 1

Faith in Humanity

[10/10 · 26 July 2021]

This is a beautiful episode which restores one's faith in humanity. Little Joe encounters an ornery, cantankerous old widow living in her "piney woods", with only her stubbornness and the memory of her dead husband to keep her going. She at first tries to kidnap him because she needs a man to look after her. When he goes with her willingly enough she drives him to distraction.

Her land is under threat but she refuses to believe him when he tells her that she must stake a claim. He eventually decides to go into town to do it for her and she uses every device she can think of to make him stay. There is wry humour in his mounting exasperation with the impossible old lady. But it is obvious that he cares for her in spite of herself and that the feeling is returned even if she'd rather die than admit it. She compares him to her beloved husband - "You've got a lot of gentleness in you, Joe, just like my Amos."

The chemistry between the two actors is splendid, despite the 30 years that separate them. His love, patience and pure goodness shine through as he cares for the sick old lady. If one ever doubted his character, this episode confirms trust and hope that is in us all. It's good and old-fashioned, so different to the current trend of cynicism and self-obsession of more modern times. It's contrived, possibly, but it's a tear-jerker. Just go with it. You'll be rewarded in the end.

Bonanza: Justice (1967) Season 8, Episode 17

Joe is Bent on Justice

[9/10 · 22 July 2021]

A very good video. Joe's fiancee, Sally, is killed and Joe is on the hunt for the murderer. He shows a grim, ruthless side to himself in this episode which is quite at odds with his usual happy-go-lucky and warm demeanour.

A shy and troubled bank clerk, Horace (Beau Bridges), is also in love with Sally but he has a rock-solid alibi for that evening. Joe decides to set out to find the truth.

There is a particularly intense scene between Michael Landon, Bridges and Lurene Tuttle (Mrs Cutler, Horace's landlady). It explores the issues of loneliness, social rejection, agonising psychopathy and the pains of unrequited love. Tuttle gives an excellent and moving performance in the last but one scene, one that sticks in the memory, but all three actors are superb.

A very touching episode and well worth watching.

Dexter: Surprise, Motherf**ker! (2012) Season 7, Episode 12

Deb's Life is Over

[10/10 · 21 July 2021]

This is an amazing episode ending a great season. Deb's life is starting to fall apart after learning Dex's dark secret at the end of the last season. She is sucked into her beloved brother's web of violence and lies.

The last 10 minutes are simply spectacular, probably among the best TV scenes of all time. Jennifer Carpenter proves what a gifted actress she is. She apparently ad-libbed for this and it was so brilliant the director decided to keep it in.

The end is tragic as we see Deb's.final descent into evil. We know she will be in hell from now on. Her beliefs, principles and everything she has dedicated her life to are shattered. I will never forget her face at the moment when her heart breaks.

Dex admits more than once he destroys everything he loves. His sister is his lodestar and he has killed her.

Unbelievably powerful.

Bonanza: A Dollar's Worth of Trouble (1966) Season 7, Episode 33

Beware the Fortune Teller

[10/10 · 20 July 2021]

An extremely funny episode. Hoss has his fortune told by "Madame Adela", who seems to be incredibly accurate in her predictions. She has some bad news for him involving a beautiful girl and a very short-sighted gun-slinger.

The comedic performances are spot on from Joe, Hoss, Ben and even Hop Sing. The boys are finding it hard to get their supplies of sugar and grain - Hop Sing is not happy. There is an extremely funny scene between him and Joe; it's worth watching for that alone. Hampton Fancher turns in a sterling performance as the accident-prone gunman.

Needless to say, not all is as it seems. Bonanza comedy at its best.

Bonanza: The Last Haircut (1963) Season 4, Episode 19

Some Kind of Justice

[10/10 · 4 July 2021]

Little Joe is witness to a murder in a barbershop. He is friends with the victim's young son and takes him under his wing. Much of the episode is taken up with their struggle for some kind of justice for the dead man. But it also explores the difference between justice and vengeance, and how a structured society must abide by the rule of law if it is not to disintegrate. This is particularly true of the Wild West in the 19th century, where life is cheap and men lived and died by the gun.

Joe's relationship with the boy is sweet and caring, and his anger towards the murderer is always simmering in the background. He learns some important life lessons of his own with the help of his wise dad. You can see that Joe's duty of care for the boy helps him to mature himself.

The episode is worth seeing for the final scene where Joe inflicts some justice of his own. It is impossible not to laugh with satisfaction at an otherwise serious and sad story.

The Vice (1999–2003)

Pure Brilliance

[10/10 · 2 July 2021]

This was a fantastic series which is sorely missed, I suspect, not just by me, but by millions. Pat Chappell is an unlikely hero, unlovely, crumpled and middle-aged, but with such intensity and charisma that he oozes attractiveness. Ken Stott brought such ferocity to the role and showed himself for the unbelievably superb actor he is. He has a heart as big as a mountain. He cares, he loves the victims of the sordid crimes he has to deal with. If he has a fault, it's that he cares too much. This proves his undoing in the end. He has the habit of becoming personally involved. He is unable to keep his personal and professional life separate.

Aside from Stott, Marc Warren is worthy of attention. He plays Dougie, Chappell's flawed sidekick. Warren shows the vulnerability and pain of his character magnificently.

I usually dislike crime procedural dramas, but "The Vice" stands out with its supreme actors and heartbreaking stories. It depicts a bleak modern world of anonymity and evil; the evil of sexual crime. But it's saved by the dedication and compassion of the officers who try to combat it.

I always think the mark of brilliant fiction is if you can remember it years later. One episode in particular got under my skin - "Sons - Part 2" (S1E4). The ending.is the most heart-rending and desolate piece of TV I have ever seen and stays with me now, nearly 30 years later.

Bonanza: Joe Cartwright, Detective (1967) Season 8, Episode 25

Right out of Foot's Mouth

[10/10 · 21 May 2021]

This is an extremely funny episode in which Joe becomes convinced a bank robbery is about to be committed.

Joe has taken to reading detective books, in particular "How Crimes are Solved" by Foot of Scotland Yard. He meets two shady characters in town and becomes convinced they are criminals. As usual he drags his trusting brother, Hoss, into it.

There are some hilarious one-liners, comedy fight scenes and funny situations as Joe and Hoss get to the bottom of the situation.

Bonanza: A Good Night's Rest (1965) Season 6, Episode 28

Hilarious

[10/10 · 13 May 2021]

A hilarious episode from the very first scenes to the very last.

Poor Ben is dog tired and trying to get some sleep. But the rest of the house is busy. Hoss is snoring as only Hoss can do, Adam is in a musical mood and playing his guitar and Little Joe is having noisy shennigans with a lady love, a bell and a frog on the stoop. Between the three of them, they are keeping Ben awake.

Ben decides to go into town (an hour's ride, no less) to get a hotel room for the night. He becomes involved with the other guests' many and complicated problems, from a slimy clerk to an amorous widow, romance to attempted murder, and a filthy tramp.

This is Bonanza comedy at its best.

Bonanza: The Saga of Squaw Charlie (1964) Season 6, Episode 14

Only a Pure Heart Can See No Evil

[10/10 · 11 May 2021]

This is a genuine morality tale. A simple story of right and wrong, cruelty and compassion, intolerance and justice.

Red Eagle has been ousted from his tribe and is known as "Squaw" Charlie. He lives in town and suffers constant abuse. He is pelted with stones and taunted by vicious children and harassed by bigoted racists.

Charlie finds one of Ben's horses stuck in the mud, rescues it and sets off to bring it back to the Ponderosa. Little Joe and Hoss meet him and assume he's trying to steal it, despite his denials. This shows that even good men are not always immune to prejudice or jumping to the wrong conclusions. The question remains whether they would have made the same assumptions if Charlie had been white. Ben later scolds them sternly and they are suitably ashamed.

Other than the Cartwrights, the only friend Charlie has is a little girl called Angela Hale. She is angelic by nature as well by name, as she stands up for him against the older boys and vows she will help "his people" when he grows up. She asks "why she can't be his friend forever and ever?" Her mother, Martha, is an ignorant racist who abuses Charlie and tries to forbid Angela from seeing him. Later Angela goes missing and Charlie is instantly suspected.

While revealing no spoilers, there is a heart-breaking scene at the end between Charlie and Ben for which you will need a big box of tissues. It's one of the most poignant scenes in all Bonanza history.

When Angela asks why others cannot love him as she does, he answers: "Only a pure heart can see no evil." Her innocent goodness is in stark contrast to the evil around her.

"It's none of our business," says Adam at the beginning, before immediately contradicting himself and punching one of the bullies. It is the crux of the Bonanza spirit that it's everyone's business when injustice is done, and that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Bonanza: The Quality of Mercy (1963) Season 5, Episode 9

The Quality of Mercy

[9/10 · 6 May 2021]

This was an interesting episode about euthanasia. The acting was up to scratch and the script was decent. Joe's childhood friends, Seth and Sara are about to get married. Seth kills his future father-in-law in a "mercy killing" after a mining accident with Little Joe arriving on the scene seconds later. Needless to say, not all is as it seems.

Joe has a terrible crisis of conscience. Though he promises his friend he will not tell, he finds the guilt too hard to bear. As usual, he finds guidance from his father, who provides an intelligent and sensitive viewpoint about the matter.

The chemistry between Landon and Nancy Rennick (Sara) is extremely good, begging the question why they hadn't gotten together themselves.

A thought-provoking episode.

Bonanza: Five into the Wind (1963) Season 4, Episode 29

Five into the Wind

[10/10 · 4 May 2021]

One of the better Bonanza episodes, largely due to the acting. After a stagecoach accident, Little Joe leads five disparate people back to civilisation. On the way, one of them is murdered, and Joe is determined to find out who's to blame.

You get a couple of good fight scenes and a lot of emotional manoevring as they play off against each other.

The little known actress Betsy Jones-Moreland who plays Nora, is particularly good in one of the last scenes.

Definitely a superior episode in my opinion.

Bonanza: The Storm (1962) Season 3, Episode 19

"The Storm"

[10/10 · 28 April 2021]

Probably the best Bonanza episode ever.

Laura White, a childhood friend of Little Joe's, and her father visit the Ponderosa. It is obvious she is in love with Joe, and always has been, for she keeps a souvenir he gave her as a child, a dried flower. At first it does not seem the feeling is reciprocal, but they get caught out in a storm and take refuge in an old, supposedly haunted cabin. Joe, forever the warm-hearted romantic, falls in love with the delicate, vulnerable young woman. They decide to get married and Joe gets his brothers to help him fix up the cabin as a home for him and Laura.

In true Bonanza fashion, it is not to be. Her father reveals she is dying and has only a very short time to live. The devastated Laura makes her way back to the cabin, and Joe finds her just in time for her to die in his arms, his name on her lips.

The beautiful early 60s colour photography is at its best, as is the poignant music. Mike Landon is at his most gloriously handsome as he strives to come to terms with his heartbreak and Brooke Hayward is marvellous as.the besotted Laura. She stands out in the long chain of Joe's girlfriends as the.most straightforward and beautiful in spirit.

Yes, it's corny, yes, it's formulaic, but if you take it the way it's meant, you will need a whole box of tissues for this tear-jerker.