Ep 1. The First Born

Ben Cartwright, a wealthy and respected rancher, and his three sons return for the fourth season of Bonanza. In the first episode, "The First Born," Ben discovers that he has a grown son from a previous marriage, and the boy comes back to the Ponderosa Ranch looking for his father.

The episode opens with Ben and his sons, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe, riding through the beautiful scenic Nevada countryside. They are discussing the upcoming cattle drive, which is the main source of income for the Ponderosa Ranch. However, their peaceful ride is interrupted when a stranger gallops up to them, introducing himself as Clay Stafford.

Clay is a rough and tumble cowboy who's just arrived in Virginia City to look for his father, Ben Cartwright. Ben is taken aback as Clay is the result of his brief marriage to Marie, a French woman, before his marriage to Elizabeth, the boys' mother. Ben is surprised to hear of his grown son's existence and that he has come to claim his inheritance.

Despite some initial skepticism and reluctance, Ben welcomes Clay into the Cartwright family and the Ponderosa Ranch. However, the discovery and introduction of Clay throws the household dynamic out of balance.

The first few days are tough for the newly formed family. Clay is brash and untamed, behaving more like a hired hand than a son of the refined and cultured Ben. He is miffed at Adam's disdainful attitude and at how Hoss and Little Joe treat him like a petulant child.

And just as things start to settle down, Clay becomes more insistent on getting his share of the inheritance, claiming it's his birthright. But Ben is hesitant to do so, as he has no proof that Clay is truly his son, and he doesn't want to change the long-term plan he has devised for his family lineage and the Ponderosa Ranch.

Tensions mount between the Cartwrights as Clay stirs up emotions and creates uncertainty about the future of the ranch, leading up to a climactic confrontation that forces the characters to navigate the complexities of family and legacy.

"The First Born" is an exciting and dramatic episode that establishes the tone of the fourth season of Bonanza. It explores themes of heritage, family, and the nature of identity. The episode also provides insight into Ben's past and introduces a new and exciting character to the show's ensemble.

As with all episodes of Bonanza, "The First Born" is beautiful and cinematic. The vast, Nevada vistas are awe-inspiring, and the cinematography captures the grandeur of the Cartwrights and the Ponderosa Ranch. The writing is sharp and witty, and the performances are top-notch, with Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Pernell Roberts all delivering powerful performances.

Overall, "The First Born" is an excellent start to the fourth season of Bonanza and will keep the audience engaged and invested in the characters' fates. The episode provides a satisfying beginning to the story arc of Clay and promises more drama and excitement to come.