Ep 30. The Thunderhead Swindle

The Thunderhead Swindle is the 30th episode of the second season of the western TV show Bonanza. The episode aired on April 22, 1961, and was directed by Don McDougall and written by Donn Mullally.

In this episode, the Cartwrights are forced to deal with a dishonest businessman named Thorwald, who is trying to swindle the local farmers out of their lands by selling them a worthless fertilizer. Thorwald has convinced the farmers that his fertilizer will help them grow more crops and increase their profits, but in reality, the fertilizer is just sawdust and water.

Ben and his sons, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe, become suspicious of Thorwald's claims and decide to investigate his business practices. They quickly discover that he is running a scam and try to warn the farmers, but Thorwald is one step ahead of them and has already convinced most of the farmers to buy his product.

The Cartwrights then decide to take matters into their own hands and come up with a plan to stop Thorwald and expose his fraudulent activities. They meet with the other farmers and convince them to withhold payment for the fertilizer until they have seen the results for themselves.

Meanwhile, Little Joe begins to develop a romantic interest in Thorwald's daughter, Lisa, who is unaware of her father's schemes. Little Joe tries to convince Lisa to help them stop her father, but she is torn between her loyalty to him and her growing feelings for Little Joe.

As the Cartwrights work to expose Thorwald's scam, they find themselves facing a dangerous adversary who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his business. The tension builds as the Cartwrights and their allies race against time to stop Thorwald and save the farmers from financial ruin.

The Thunderhead Swindle is an exciting episode that highlights the importance of honesty and fair business practices. It showcases the strength and resourcefulness of the Cartwright family as they work together to overcome adversity and protect their community from those who would take advantage of them. With strong performances from the cast and a well-crafted script, this episode is a standout in the Bonanza series and a must-watch for fans of classic western TV shows.