EPISODE: The Secret

Reviewed by Susan Grote

Episode 63, Season 2, originally aired May 6, 1961

Guest Stars: Russell Collins, Morgan Woodward

Written by John Hawkins

Directed by Robert Altman

The episode is early in Bonanza's run, with the action happening before the people of Virginia City realized that it was a waste of time and money to arrest a Cartwright, because a Cartwright is never guilty of anything, particularly murder. But everyone gets miffed at Joe for some reason -- John Hardner because he was ignored twice after calling a greeting to Joe, the Parsons because they figured they were going to become in-laws to the rich Cartwrights, Deputy Connelly because he ends up having to ride around the countryside instead of sitting in his comfy office -- so they insist that Joe be arrested for the murder of Mary Parsons based on Hardner's testimony. Hardner's identification of Joe is based on really flimsy evidence, which is his seeing a painted horse and a man with a left-handed gun (Perry Mason would have had that identification thrown out in about ten seconds!).

Before Joe is arrested, however, he and Ben go to see one of the Cartwrights' many lawyers, Hiram Wood. Working in Woods' office is Jerome Bell, a young ambitious lawyer (as well as a Little Joe wannabe, as we find out later). Bell is romancing Woods' daughter as well as trying to hang out with the governor in order to get ahead. Hiram advises Joe to give a statement on his whereabouts when Mary was killed, echoing the soon to become familiar phrase, "Let the Law handle it." He doesn't know that letting the Cartwrights handle things is much better than letting the law do it.

After giving his statement, Joe and Ben head over to the doctors office, where they are presumably trying to get the latest gossip on Mary's death to pass on to Hoss and Adam. The doctor implies in an oblique manner that Mary was pregnant when she died (this was the TV era where words like pregnant and unwed mother were never uttered on the air). Ben immediately questions Joe about this news (gee, Pa, thanks for the trust!) but Joe continues to deny any involvement.

After Hardner gives his statement, Deputy Connelly comes out to the Ponderosa to arrest Joe, and finds Joe sitting on the sofa, reading the Bible (don't ask me why he was doing this). After Joe is arrested, the Parsons try various ways to kill Joe, but never succeed. Meanwhile, Joe seems destined to stand trail for murder, since Hardner's statement is the only evidence. Adam, with his college education, is the one to figure out that Hardner's statement is flimsy and they should find someone else who has a paint pony and a left-hand gun. Hiram Wood, the Cartwrights' lawyer, didn't figure this out which is probably why another lawyer shows up in later episodes.

While Adam and Hoss are searching for the evidence to clear Joe, Hiram's daughter is starting to have second thoughts about the ambitious Mr. Bell. When she goes to see him in his hotel room, she spots a picture of Mary Parsons and figures out he is the killer (she is obviously smarter than her father). Meanwhile Adam and Hoss also find evidence that Jerome Bell is the Little Joe wannabe and probably the killer. The Parsons and Cartwrights head to the hotel to confront Bell, who is busy chasing Hiram's daughter so he can kill her and shut her up. Bell falls from the balcony of the hotel and is killed, which the writers probably thought was a nice irony since Bell pushed Mary Parsons off Indian Leap and killed her.

Joe is released from jail, and the Cartwrights start to head for home. Deputy Connelly stops them, and Joe immediately looks back at the Deputy with a guilty expression. Connelly only wants to give Joe back his holster and gun, though, so whatever Joe was feeling guilty about is never known. The Cartwrights then head for home.

REVIEWS:

"I've always loved this episode; it's such a great whodunit and that scene where Pa is questioning Joe is forever burned in my memory.  I remember the first time I saw it, they sure had me going.  I mean, how many Cochises are there running around Virginia City, eh??" Gina

"This episode is a nice little mystery and emphasizes how Pa always believes in and supports his sons, no matter what anyone might say about them. Adam's "smarts" are also showcased, since he's the one who eventually figures out how to free Joe. Joe is shown as a victim here, with no one except his family listening to his protests of innocence and being "set up" by Jerome Bell. Joe is saved by his family's belief in him, as well as by their being smarter than anyone else in Virginia City." Susan G.

"I always liked this one. One of the best scenes is the Pa/Joe talk and then when Ben says that if he looses faith in his sons he has nothing." Judy

"This episode featured a remark by Ben which encompasses one of the basic themes of Bonanza. When Hiram Wood questions Ben as to his total faith and trust in Little Joe, Ben responds saying that if he begins to doubt his sons, then nothing he has is worth anything!  It was a moving statement of trust and love beyond a shadow of a doubt."  Lillian

"I have a favorite shot in this episode. It is on the front porch after Pete Parson has been shot. He is on the ground in the center of the shot, shooting his mouth off, with Ben bent down, holding onto him. Standing in the foreground are the Sheriff's back on one side and just Joe's left arm on the other, gun in hand but held in a non-threatening position. As they move to leave, we see the sheriff take the pistol from Joe's unresisting hand. A little artsy fartsy - can't hold a good director back, I guess. Robert Altman, of course, did quite a bit of TV directing, including several Bonanza episodes, and later went on to direct movies like MASH and, very recently, Gosford Park." Sue W.

"I like this episode, because Joe just looks so cute throughout, but especially when he smiles at his family, when he is released from jail. Love Adam's comment about it being quieter at the ranch, without Joe being there." Lynne

"The Secret is one of my very favorite eps - did the boy in the blue jacket ever look cuter?  If so - please tell me WHERE?!" Susan

"It was amazing how the Doctor tells that news to Ben and Joe...Very typical of that era of TV and how the show could be viewed by both kids and adults, each getting the meaning at their own level. The doctor says something like "Was Mary married?" One of the Cartwrights says “No, she wasn't married". And the doctor says "Well she should have been." As a kid, my perception of this exchange "Oh poor Mary died before she could be a bride with a fancy wedding." As an adult, it was clear to me that he was politely saying she was pregnant." Robin

"Mr. Parson's said that Mary told him she was going on a picnic with Joe.  She probably picked Joe because her father would approve of him..... And she definitely couldn't be seen with Jerome; he was engaged to what's-her-name." Ginny

"This must have been Jerome's idea - because he knew what he had planned.  He probably told Mary he was dressed this way [like Joe] because she told her Pa that she was going out with Joe...so in case anyone saw them...from a distance, she wouldn't be caught in a lie and conveniently, if anyone saw them...they'd see "Joe" and Mary.  Jerome was covering all his bets.   He didn't expect to find anyone who could really see them on their during their tryst.  My take on the situation."  Lillian