Ep 20. Marie, My Love

Marie, My Love is the 20th episode of the fourth season of Bonanza. The episode opens with Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the Cartwright family, receiving the news that Marie, his former lover, has arrived in Virginia City. Marie is the widow of Ben's former business partner.

Ben is surprised to see her and the two reconnect, but it is clear that things are not as smooth as they used to be. Marie reveals that she is in town to sell her late husband's share of the logging business to a wealthy businessman named Freeman. According to Marie, Freeman is offering her a good price for the shares.

The Cartwrights, however, are not keen on the idea of Marie selling the shares to someone outside the family. They know that Freeman is not an honest man and that he has taken advantage of many people in the past. They try to talk to Marie, but she is determined to sell the shares to Freeman.

Meanwhile, Hoss Cartwright, the middle son, falls in love with a new arrival in town – a woman named Mary Anne who has come to visit her brother. Mary Anne is played by Juliet Prowse, who was a well-known actress and dancer in the 1960s. Hoss is smitten with Mary Anne and tries to impress her by showing off his strength and skills.

However, things take a turn when it is revealed that Mary Anne is actually in town to help Freeman secure the logging shares from Marie. She is part of a team that Freeman has assembled to convince Marie to sell the shares to him. Hoss is heartbroken when he learns the truth and he confronts Mary Anne.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between Marie and the Cartwrights. Ben is torn between his past feelings for Marie and his loyalty to his family. He also realizes that there is more to Marie's visit than meets the eye.

Ultimately, it is up to the Cartwrights to save Marie from Freeman's scheme and protect their family business. They come up with a plan to outwit Freeman and convince Marie to sell her shares to them instead. In the end, Marie agrees to sell her shares to the Cartwrights, and Hoss is left to deal with his broken heart and the realization that not everyone can be trusted.

Overall, Marie, My Love is a captivating episode that showcases the complex relationships and challenges that the Cartwrights face. It highlights the themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal and keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. With great performances from the cast, including a memorable appearance by Juliet Prowse, Marie, My Love is a standout episode that is sure to please fans of the show.