A nice light script that flows well between light banter and an underlying, more ominous, storyline. Loved seeing the bigger than life Dan Blocker, too - just before he started his long run on the competing Bonanza series. Chester is his usual comedic self. The restaurant scene of him fighting his overcooked steak is classic Chester - I laughed out loud. Great episode.
7 Reviews
Who Owns the Horses
dougdoepke26 April 2012
On the prairie, Matt and Chester encounter an unfriendly man (Randell) with two striking thoroughbred horses. Matt's suspicious but has nothing to go on. Later, in Dodge, they encounter the same man dressed now as a dude and friendly as heck. He claims he owns the horses and offers some proof, but Matt's still suspicious. Then two roughnecks arrive in town, claiming the horses are stolen. So, what's going on?
Excellent John Meston script that keeps the viewer guessing, with a good turn from actor Randell. Ending is rather unexpected in more ways than one. King-sized co-star of Bonanza series, Dan Blocker, gets an early supporting role. Also, catch Chester wrestling in the background with a tough steak. It's a cute little bit of byplay.
Excellent John Meston script that keeps the viewer guessing, with a good turn from actor Randell. Ending is rather unexpected in more ways than one. King-sized co-star of Bonanza series, Dan Blocker, gets an early supporting role. Also, catch Chester wrestling in the background with a tough steak. It's a cute little bit of byplay.
Kitty's Right
darbski31 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Just recently (on METV) there was an episode titled "The Patsy". In that one, Kitty completely misread the situation and character, and Matt played it right. In this one, she's got it right, and Matt, wrong. This is a really good episode. I'm not gonna say much about the way it goes, but I'm positive that Matt will catch up to the killers - and horse thieves. They'll either draw and lose, or hang.
One other point is that when Matt and Chester come in to the livery, they don't unsaddle their horses. It was normal to do this chore yourself; shake out your saddle blanket, check it for bugs and burrs, look over your tack for any bad wear or damage, and then either clean and treat the leather or commission it done. Maybe they had a deal for Grimmick to do this for them, but, I'll bet they would have undressed them BEFORE they were put it a stall. A good horse owner would have done these things himself, as well as curry the animal out and make sure of water and feed. This being Kansas, there would have been plenty of the best grains and hays available.
One other point is that when Matt and Chester come in to the livery, they don't unsaddle their horses. It was normal to do this chore yourself; shake out your saddle blanket, check it for bugs and burrs, look over your tack for any bad wear or damage, and then either clean and treat the leather or commission it done. Maybe they had a deal for Grimmick to do this for them, but, I'll bet they would have undressed them BEFORE they were put it a stall. A good horse owner would have done these things himself, as well as curry the animal out and make sure of water and feed. This being Kansas, there would have been plenty of the best grains and hays available.
Matt should have done a bit of investigation in this program.
kfo949415 July 2013
This episode begins with Marshal Dillon and Chester riding along the prairie when they come across a man that has two beautiful thoroughbred horses. The man, Jack Portis, is ill-at-ease with the encounter and hurriedly rides off. Leaving Matt and Chester very suspicious about his actions.
Back in Dodge they again run into Portis, this time in a friendly mood, and his horses and notice a certain brand on the thoroughbreds. With Portis spending money like it was going out of style, Matt wants to question him about the animals. But things come to a stop when two large men come riding into Dodge with the same brand on their horses. They tell Matt that Portis stole the thoroughbreds and they want revenge.
The episode ends in a matter not normally seen in the series which tends to leave the viewer unsatisfied with the results. But even with the odd ending the episode still had enough interest to make for a nice watch. Its a kind of episode that is nice to watch but not one that you would like to see each week. This time the episode gets a pass.
Back in Dodge they again run into Portis, this time in a friendly mood, and his horses and notice a certain brand on the thoroughbreds. With Portis spending money like it was going out of style, Matt wants to question him about the animals. But things come to a stop when two large men come riding into Dodge with the same brand on their horses. They tell Matt that Portis stole the thoroughbreds and they want revenge.
The episode ends in a matter not normally seen in the series which tends to leave the viewer unsatisfied with the results. But even with the odd ending the episode still had enough interest to make for a nice watch. Its a kind of episode that is nice to watch but not one that you would like to see each week. This time the episode gets a pass.
Dillon Acting Like Chester
jamdifo10 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Nice beginning on Boot Hill where Dillon talks about when a honest man gets shot he wished no one carried a gun. I guess that's his view of gun control, no one should carry a gun. The NRA won't like this episode.
Ron Randall plays Portis who's buying drinks for everyone and has 2 awesome horses. 2 guys come to town with the same wine glass marking, Walter Barnes (the guy that beat up Clint Eastwood in Every Which Way But Loose) and Dan Blocker. Dillon believes everything they say at their word. You know from his Boot Hill speech something isn't right. After Barnes kills Randall, even though Dillon said he would arrest him and don't come into town until evening, Dillon still believes them and lets them take the 2 awesome horses on top of that!
Of course Dillon finds out later Barnes and Blocker lied, Randall was innocent, and the episode just ends with Dillon going after them. Talk about abrupt endings. Doc and Miss Kitty's radar were spot on, Dillon's wasn't even in the same state. Nice episode until the last 5 minutes with Dillon being so gullible. Maybe he's spending too much time with Chester.
Ron Randall plays Portis who's buying drinks for everyone and has 2 awesome horses. 2 guys come to town with the same wine glass marking, Walter Barnes (the guy that beat up Clint Eastwood in Every Which Way But Loose) and Dan Blocker. Dillon believes everything they say at their word. You know from his Boot Hill speech something isn't right. After Barnes kills Randall, even though Dillon said he would arrest him and don't come into town until evening, Dillon still believes them and lets them take the 2 awesome horses on top of that!
Of course Dillon finds out later Barnes and Blocker lied, Randall was innocent, and the episode just ends with Dillon going after them. Talk about abrupt endings. Doc and Miss Kitty's radar were spot on, Dillon's wasn't even in the same state. Nice episode until the last 5 minutes with Dillon being so gullible. Maybe he's spending too much time with Chester.
Hoss doesn't say much
LukeCoolHand1 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Others have reviewed this episode very well so I won't say much. This was Dan Blocker's last appearance and he really did not have very many lines to say at all. Walter Barnes his buddy, did almost all of the talking. In his first episode Blocker only had a couple of scenes but one year later he got to say a lot in his iconic role as Hoss Cartwright on the wonderful Bonanza. This episode did kind of end without closure as others have said.
As Bold As Brass
StrictlyConfidential29 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
(*Marshal Dillon quote*) - "Say, now, that's mighty strange behavior, isn't it?"
Jack Portis has himself two fine looking thoroughbred horses. They both have a wine glass brand on them.
Keller and Burke come to Dodge and claim that Portis stole these two horses from them.
Marshal Dillon gets involved in this aggravated situation and tries to iron things out.
Jack Portis has himself two fine looking thoroughbred horses. They both have a wine glass brand on them.
Keller and Burke come to Dodge and claim that Portis stole these two horses from them.
Marshal Dillon gets involved in this aggravated situation and tries to iron things out.
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