EPISODE:  The Hopefuls

Reviewed by Meira Bracha

Season 2, Episode 37, originally aired October 8, 1960

Guest stars: Larry Gates, Patricia Donahue, Dennis Patrick

Written by E. Jack Neuman

Directed by James Neilson

REVIEW:

The episode opens with unsuspecting, soon-to-be smitten Adam riding into Virginia City on the back of a prancing and dancing Sport. Despite wearing cuffed jeans which make him look like an overgrown eight year old boy, he is in town to conduct important Ponderosa business. The man he has come to meet excuses himself to give a warm greeting to the leader of a wagon train which is proceeding down the street. The people on the train are dressed like members of the Society of Friends, though their specific religious affiliation is never explicitly stated. Adam catches the eye of a young woman in the group, and there is an immediate mutual attraction. Adam has to be jolted out of a dreamy daze to enter the "Cattleman's Exchange" for his business meeting.  (Note: The interior of this building looks remarkably like the Virginia City Hotel, and the houses of several of the Cartwright's well-off friends and neighbors.)

After conducting his business, Adam is about to leave when he witnesses a confrontation between two poker players. One is accusing the other of cheating.  Adam comes to the defense of the accuser and prevents him from being shot by the accused, who was indeed dealing from the bottom of the deck.

Adam and the man he saved agree to ride out of town together. By the time they pick up the man's sorry-looking horse at the livery, Adam has offered the man a job at the Ponderosa, with the added incentive of his pick of ten head of cattle to start his own ranch at the end of one year. The two then rescue the wagon train leader and the aforementioned young woman from the abuse of two ruffians.

Adam learns that the leader's name is Jacob Darien, and that the young woman is his daughter Regina. He also discovers that the man he has befriended is Sam Board, a name that he clearly associates with negative notoriety, but this does not cause him to retract his job offer. After Sam exchanges grim looks with a mysterious man, he and Adam accompany the wagon train out of town and to a camp site on the Ponderosa.

Adam and Regina go to fetch water, and pause for some verbal flirtation. They both declare they find the other "disturbing", which by their tone and demeanor is clearly code for irresistible. When Board asks Jacob if it bothers him that Adam and Regina want to be together, Jacob replies that one "might as well object to the moon and the stars."

Meanwhile back at the campsite the other Cartwrights ride in. Ben appears ready to evict the wagon train as just another bunch of trespassing squatters, but he is disarmed by Jacob's charm. Adam shows up with Regina in time to help smooth things over, and when Jacob invites them all to dinner, Hoss accepts before anyone else can object. Joe and Hoss are instantly suspicious of Sam Board.  "Hoss, what would you say to a man who wears his gun so easy?" asks Joe. "Nothing I couldn't back up," Hoss answers.

At dinner, Jacob explains that the group has pooled all their money and that they are traveling from Ohio to Slatersville to purchase land. Sam is clearly very interested in the money.

After dinner Adam follows Regina to where she is washing dishes, and the flirtation ratchets up a few notches. They smooch, and Adam assures Regina that this doesn't make him lose respect for her. Adam announces that he will accompany the train to Slatersville to give the pair more time to get to know each other.

Meanwhile Sam meets up with the mystery man from town, and his two henchmen. We learn that Sam lost some presumably ill-gotten money that was supposed to be divided between the four of them. Sam is told that he must join the trio in an hour. He goes back to Adam and tells him he has decided to leave -- he doesn't want the job and he doesn't like being around people talking about what they have got and are going to get.

Next morning Adam and Ben ride into the campsite. Ben is worried. "They're different than us. She's different than you...I know I'm saying this badly."

Then Hoss rides up and announces he's coming along with Adam. "Pa's idea?" asks Adam. Hoss answers, "No, mine." Hoss explains how he really likes these people and, of course, their cooking. He tells Adam that they are not SO different, not one of them. Adam shows his appreciation for Hoss with an affectionate backhanded tap to his big little brother's belly.

The first day of the journey is pleasant and bucolic. Adam points out the sights to Regina, and Hoss does the same for Jacob. When Adam and Hoss ride ahead to scout out a shorter route, they come upon tracks of four men trailing the wagon train. They hurry back to the train and persuade Jacob and the others to position the wagons as if they would fight, even though the sect rejects violence and have no guns.

That night, the evil man and the henchmen attack, while Sam goes after the locked money box. Sam hoped to accomplish the theft without violence but that is not to be. When Sam struggles with Jacob, the evil man kills Jacob. Meanwhile Adam and Hoss kill the henchmen.

After Jacob's funeral the next morning, Adam takes off after the thieves over Regina's pacifist objections. Adam feels responsible for having trusted Sam. Hoss goes with Adam.

Evil man tries to get all the money for himself, and Sam reluctantly kills him. Hoss and Adam come upon the body and conclude that Sam is a killer. They trace him to Slatersville. On the way, Sam has the chance to shoot Adam from a hiding place, but doesn't, saying, "Now I don't owe you."

The wagon train gets to Slatersville as Hoss and Adam are searching for Sam. Regina begs Adam not to go after Sam, but Adam feels he must. In the ensuing shootout, Adam is shot in the arm, and Sam is killed. Adam and Regina part ways, realizing their different beliefs would always come between them. Regina is last seen proudly leading her people to their new home. Adam and Hoss ride off slowly and sadly for home and the credits roll.

REVIEWS:

“This is an early episode in which several guest characters with features that recur often in Bonanza appear.  There's a bad guy who has the possibility of redemption, another bad guy who is hopelessly evil, and that old favorite, the woman whom fate brings together with one of the Cartwright men, only for them to be torn asunder…Regina is my favorite of the women Adam courted during his tenure on the series. She is capable of matching his witty banter, and is portrayed as a strong woman willing to stick to her convictions…I also like Adam's awkward, dimple-revealing smiles as he struggles to communicate with Regina.  Finally, this is one of the best Adam-Hoss bonding episodes that I remember. Hoss is very supportive of his big brother, and Adam appears grateful. Kind of lets you know why Adam would call Hoss something like "One of the best men I know" in "She Walks in Beauty".” Meira

“There is also a moment during the gunfight at the camp when Adam plows Regina down...out of the way of the gun fire...yet, he still has the presence of mind to warn Hoss to get down, too. The entire episode was a testament to principles and integrity and how one must stick to his beliefs...even if it hurts.” Lillian

“I've always liked the relationship between Adam and Hoss.  Almost as close as Hoss and Joe but on a more adult level…Adam is very handsome in this and shows his vulnerability side.  I also liked the way Ben took him aside to talk to him. The Hopefuls was a very good, adult episode.   Adam is such a MAN or manly I should say.  As Sam said, "You speak right out, doncha?" Gail 

“I loved the interaction with Adam and Hoss. They weren't often paired off in stories, especially in partnership. Adam was pretty steamy in this one. Bet a lot of those early RCA color TVs had lip prints on them after Adam did those romantic scenes. Loved that last kiss on the hand when he was leaving.” Robin

“I must agree with you about the Adam/Hoss relationship.  In this one, you get to see the dynamics between the two and the close protectiveness.  In most episodes, Adam is bickering with Joe and Hoss is playing mediator.  This is a refreshing change.  I also say yeah to "strong women".  Our men deserve no less!” Nancy

“I liked that Regina was a strong woman, rather than one of those wimpy girls they usually give Joe to woo. She was definitely the kind of woman to whom Adam would be attracted. I also thought this episode showed many aspects of Adam's personality -- his intellectual curiosity, his willingness to right any wrong, and of course, his romantic side.” Susan Grote

“Adam seems really bowled over by Regina and she's a nice girl. They seemed like a good match, but, in true Cartwright style, there had to be a reason why she didn't stay around. Ben is his usual caring self, worrying about Adam and trying to point out the problems that are likely to lie ahead, because of their differences and Hoss is just there for Adam, because that's what Hoss does, supports his loved ones, no matter what.”  Lynne (Little Joe forever)