Bonanza: 2.34

I watched this episode to say this: Michael Landon is the only reason why I've ever watched a Western.

I really do hate them, but there is a sense of honor and respect for country that this and other shows like it brings. The banjo that is playing right now gets on my nerves, the stringy bow ties make me shield my eyes at the fashion faux pas of the decade's rendering of the 1800s, and the homage to the various horses that each of them ride doesn't do anything for me. While some may seem to appreciate the scenery of Westerns such as Bonanza, I find my appreciation in the uplifting spirit that this town has. Granted in this episode, that is not quite present because come on, the show has to deal with a man trying to square away with Hoss for killing his brother--even though it was in self-defense.

Oh, one special note: They were singing songs about the prairie...I have a feeling it was that very song that put Little House on the Prairie in the heart of Michael Landon. Melissa Gilbert (and the rest of the cast that had their careers jump started from Little House on the Prairie) need to thank their lucky stars for Herschel Bernardi singing about the prairie in the episode "The Smiler."