Ep 12. The Savage

The Bonanza season 2 episode 12, titled "The Savage," follows the Cartwright family as they face a new challenge. The episode begins with the introduction of a Native American named Tsosie, who is fleeing from a group of men. He seeks refuge at the Ponderosa Ranch, which is owned by the Cartwright family.

Tsosie is initially met with hostility from the Cartwrights, who are wary of him because of his ethnicity. However, Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the family, recognizes that Tsosie is not a threat, and offers him shelter.

As the episode progresses, Tsosie becomes integrated into the Cartwrights' daily lives. He helps out with tasks around the ranch, and begins to learn English so that he can communicate better with the family.

However, tensions rise when a group of men arrive at the ranch, looking for Tsosie. The men are revealed to be a posse, who are searching for Tsosie in connection with the murder of a white man. Tsosie denies having committed the crime, but the posse is determined to bring him to justice.

The Cartwrights are torn between their loyalty to Tsosie, and their desire to uphold the law. They try to reach a compromise with the posse, but the situation escalates when one of the Cartwrights is shot.

As the episode reaches its climax, the Cartwrights must navigate a difficult situation in order to ensure that justice is served, while also protecting their family and Tsosie. The episode ends on a thought-provoking note, leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of justice and race relations in the American West.

Overall, "The Savage" is a well-crafted episode of Bonanza, which touches on important themes of race, identity, and justice. The episode features strong performances from the cast, who bring depth and nuance to their characters. The plot is engaging and suspenseful, and the writing is nuanced and thought-provoking.