Ep 23. A Stranger Passed This Way

In Bonanza season 4 episode 23 titled "A Stranger Passed This Way," The Cartwrights are in the midst of finishing a new road through their ranch to bring supplies to Virginia City. While patrolling the area, sheriff Roy Coffee encounters a stranger who has a gunshot wound and is suffering from amnesia. The injured man is escorted back to the Ponderosa Ranch where the Cartwright family takes care of him.

As the family begins to treat his injuries, they start digging into his past in an effort to help him recover his memory and establish his identity. Meanwhile, rumors start to circulate that the stranger may have been involved in a train robbery and could be a dangerous outlaw. This leads to tensions and suspicions between the Cartwrights and the other townspeople.

As the stranger slowly regains his memory, he realizes that he does indeed have a connection to the robbery. He shares this information with the Cartwrights, hoping to make amends for his involvement in the crime. The family then faces a dilemma of whether to trust the stranger and help him turn his life around, or turn him over to the law and risk his possibly being executed.

As the drama plays out, the Cartwrights are forced to confront their own values and come to terms with the moral complexities of their choices. Despite the dangers, they continue to help the stranger and ultimately prove that second chances and redemption are possible in even the most dire of circumstances.

Overall, "A Stranger Passed This Way" is a compelling episode of Bonanza that challenges its viewers to wrestle with tough choices and the power of compassion and forgiveness in the face of adversity. It's a classic western tale full of action, suspense, and heart that's sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.