Ep 20. If You Have Tears

If You Have Tears is the twentieth episode of The Virginian's first season. This Western drama series follows the life of a man known as the Virginian who works as a foreman of a ranch situated in the 1890s American West. The show's primary theme is about the challenges that he and his fellow ranch hands face while working in a region that was still developing.

As the name suggests, If You Have Tears is an emotionally-driven episode that skillfully highlights the heartache that cowboys face when trying to reconcile the realities of their tough lives with their deep-seated emotions.

The episode commences with the introduction of a man named Jim Horn (played by actor James Daly), who joins the Shiloh ranch as a hired hand. However, upon arriving at the ranch, he comes to realize that his younger brother is already employed at the Shiloh. The two brothers share a long past that was marred by bitterness, hurt, and unresolved issues. Consequently, their reunion is strained and uncomfortable.

As the story unfolds, the central conflict of the episode becomes apparent. Jim and his brother must work together to drive several heads of cattle from the Shiloh to a nearby town. This arduous journey will take them through hostile terrain that is fraught with danger.

Throughout the episode, the audience is given glimpses of the brothers' past, through a series of flashbacks. These visceral scenes offer an insight into why their relationship is strained, the wounds that they've inflicted on each other over the years, and the rift that continues to divide them.

As the journey progresses, it becomes evident that their relationship is gradually changing for the better. The harsh life circumstances that they are exposed to force them to confront their inner feelings, emotions, and demons. The brothers slowly begin to open up to each other, gradually piecing together the broken fragments of their relationship.

Along the way, the cowboys are attacked and robbed by a band of ruthless rustlers. The thieves not only steal the cattle, but they also take all of the brothers' ammunition and water supplies. The situation forces the brothers to pursue the rustlers on foot, with no food, water, or weapons.

This part of the journey brings the brothers closer together as they are forced to rely on each other to survive. While in pursuit, they also come across a young woman held captive by the rustlers. The encounter makes them doubt their personal motivations and the reason why they are in the cattle business in the first place.

Finally, after a long and exhausting trek, the brothers and the rescued woman make it to the nearby town, where they chase the rustlers out. The stolen cattle is retrieved and returned to the Shiloh ranch. However, this isn't the end of the story.

The journey has opened up deep wounds and has brought to the forefront a myriad of emotions, both positive and negative. The brothers must now confront their past to move forward and heal. As the episode draws to a close, there is a bittersweet reunion between the brothers that will have audiences glued to their screens.

In conclusion, If You Have Tears is an emotionally charged episode of The Virginian that explores the complex relationships that cowboys have with one another and the harsh realities of the American West. It's a thought-provoking episode that highlights the importance of human connections and the deep emotions that lie beneath tough exteriors. Fans of Western dramas will thoroughly enjoy this episode.