Ep 8. Square Deal Sam

The show Bonanza is a classic western drama that was highly popular in the 1960s. It follows the lives of the fictional Cartwright family and their struggles and adventures in the Wild West.

Season 6 episode 8, titled Square Deal Sam, opens with the Cartwrights visiting the town of Genoa. They have come to the town to attend the trial of a man named Sam Kirby who is accused of stealing a horse. Sam is a friend of the Cartwrights and they believe him to be innocent. They are convinced that the real thief is someone else and they are determined to prove it.

The Cartwrights enter the courtroom and take a seat at the back of the room. The trial begins and the prosecution presents their case. They bring in the owner of the stolen horse who identifies Sam as the thief. The Cartwrights are surprised by the testimony as they were sure that Sam was innocent.

However, when the defense calls their first witness, the Cartwrights begin to see a different side of the case. The witness is a woman who testifies that she saw someone else stealing the horse. She describes the thief as a tall and thin man with a scar on his face.

The Cartwrights know a man in town who fits that description – a man named Conklin. They suspect that he is the real thief and they set out to find evidence to prove it.

They split up and begin their investigation. Adam and Hoss go to Conklin's farm to search for evidence. Little Joe goes to talk to Sam, who is locked up in jail, to see if he knows anything that could help.

Adam and Hoss find a rope on Conklin's farm that matches the one used to tie up the stolen horse. They also find a scrap of cloth that matches the fabric of Conklin's shirt. They are sure that they have found the evidence they need.

Meanwhile, Little Joe learns that Sam has a grudge against Conklin. He believes that Conklin stole his land and he wants revenge. Little Joe realizes that Sam could be the actual thief and he rushes to tell his brothers.

The Cartwrights meet up and discuss their findings. They come to the conclusion that both Sam and Conklin are guilty. They realize that Sam stole the horse to frame Conklin and get revenge for his stolen land. Conklin then stole the horse back to clear his name.

The Cartwrights bring their evidence to the trial and confront Sam and Conklin. They force them both to confess to their crimes. The judge is angry with the Cartwrights for interfering with the trial but he ultimately decides to let Sam and Conklin go free.

As the episode comes to a close, the Cartwrights reflect on their actions and the outcome of the trial. They realize that justice was served in the end but they also acknowledge that they were not entirely in the right. They leave the town of Genoa, ready for their next adventure in the Wild West.

In conclusion, Square Deal Sam is a thrilling and suspenseful episode of Bonanza. It keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats as they watch the Cartwrights unravel the mystery and solve the case. The episode also touches on important themes such as justice, revenge, and the dangers of vigilante justice. Overall, it is an excellent addition to the Bonanza series.