Ep 7. Day of Reckoning

In season 2 episode 7 of Bonanza, titled "Day of Reckoning," the Cartwright family finds themselves caught in a web of deceit and violence when two strangers arrive in town looking for revenge.

The episode begins with Adam Cartwright (played by Pernell Roberts) returning from a trip to Virginia City to find his family in turmoil. It seems that a man named Ben Matheson has arrived in town, looking for revenge against the Cartwrights for an old feud. Matheson is accompanied by a hired gun named Judd Farrow (played by Claude Akins), who is known for his quick trigger finger and his ruthless nature.

The Cartwrights try to reason with Matheson, but he is determined to settle the score once and for all. Things take a turn for the worse when Farrow kills a local rancher in cold blood, sending the town into a panic. The sheriff is powerless to stop Farrow, who has Matheson backing him up.

As tensions mount and the body count rises, the Cartwrights must find a way to protect themselves and their community from Matheson and Farrow's wrath. They are aided by a few unlikely allies, including a saloon girl named Kitty (played by Sue Ane Langdon) and a reformed outlaw named Sam (played by Richard Devon).

In the end, there is a dramatic showdown between the Cartwrights and Matheson/Farrow, with the fate of the entire town hanging in the balance. The episode delivers plenty of action, suspense, and character development, showcasing the strengths of the Bonanza series as a whole.

Day of Reckoning is a classic Western tale of revenge and redemption, with a strong focus on the importance of community and family. It is an example of the high-quality storytelling that made Bonanza one of the most beloved TV series of all time.