First Born

EPISODE: The First Born

Reviewed by Gina

Episode #101, Season 4, Airdate September 23, 1962

Guest stars: Barry Coe, Eddie Walker

Written by: Judith and George W. George

Directed by: Don McDougall

SUMMARY:

This episode opens with a very young Clark Gable sitting in the Virginia City barber's chair, telling the barber that he's a stranger in town and down to his last dollar. As the barber finishes his 'do', we hear the sound of hoofbeats and the barber mentions that those are the Cartwrights riding into town! Seems the mines are booming and everyone's wanting to work for big bucks in the mine so the Cartwrights are in town looking for a few cowhands.

"Which one is Little Joe?" the Clark Gable look-alike asks as the Cartwrights ride past.

"The one on the PINTO!" the barber exclaims, before catching CG's slip-up. "Say, I thought you said you were a stranger around here?"

"Ah, everyone's heard of the Cartwrights." CG pays for his ear-lowering and heads out to find the Cartwrights.

(I love this foreshadowing...is he gonna kill Little Joe?!?)

CG approaches Ben who is interviewing a local and explains he needs a job. Ben seems surprised, knowing that this young fella would make a whole lot more money in the mines. Ben seems to be trying to dissuade Clark from hiring on with him, but Clark explains he thinks a man should only go below ground once, and that's when he's 6 feet under in a pine box. Joe speaks up on his behalf. "He's healthy and he needs a job, Pa, what more do you want?"

Ben agrees (how could he tell Joe no?!) and Clark tells him that his name isn't Clark Gable, it's Clay Stafford. AND, he was born in New Orleans. What a co-inky-dink! Joe's mother was from New Orleans. Hmmmmmmmmmm.............

Next day we see Clay at the Ponderosa polishing up his pistol. Hoss observes that whoever made the holster forgot to put the front in it: it's split from top to bottom in the front. Clay explains that it was made that way on purpose, for a quick draw.

Later we see the Cartwrights and their hands rounding up all 10 cows on the ranch, but I swear they sound like 3000!! After all that hard work, we see Pa, Adam and Hoss eating beans around the campfire. Hoss wonders where Clay is; Pa explains that he volunteered to go back to the ranch to help Joe gather supplies. Adam says they need more hands like him; "a beaver for work", according to Hoss.

Clay goes to the Ponderosa, lets himself in the front door, sits himself down at Pa's desk, and puts his feet up on the bookshelf, staring at the map. Looking right comfortable! He is surprised by Joe who has walked in from the kitchen with a cup of coffee. Joe explains that his Pa built this place with his bare hands and that he (Joe) was born in that little room upstairs. Clay seems surprised; he thought they were from New Orleans. Joe explains that his mother was and that they were married there, but Pa brought her out here to settle down. Clay asks if Joe remembers his mother; Joe says no, not much, just what his Pa had told him about her. She died when he was very young. "He said she was like having spring in the house all year 'round, always laughing and smiling." Joe pulls out a picture of her and shows Clay. "Like having spring in the house all year round,” he says, "I wish this was mine."

"What?" Joe asks, surprised.

"Oh, oh nothing." (You'd have to haul the foreshadowing in this episode around with a 2-ton tow truck.)

Next scene, we see the Cartwrights in town at the end of the week; all the cowhands and miners out spending their earnings. A good-natured exchange between Ben and one of his employees who asks for an advance on next week's pay. So sweet.

Clay is playing poker and having a very good string of luck. The miners he's playing against aren't too thrilled. They just generally seem to be in a bad mood, you know?

Clay wins yet another hand against the miner who takes definite offense to losing again. He accuses Clay of low-carding. Clay say's it's his lucky day as he stands up. The miner continues to accuse him of cheating, and then draws on him. Clay is faster, and the miner is shot dead.

Look, Joe is wearing a white shirt under the green jacket! COOL!

Sheriff Coffee hauls Clay off to jail pending an investigation, and we see Joe arguing very forcefully that Clay shouldn't be so harshly pre-judged. (Look at those nostrils flare!) He tells Sheriff Coffee that it's "not right and it's not fair" to assume that Clay was cheating. He then turns away from the camera and gives the discerning viewers a good 20-30 second look at the strongest Walnut Crackers ever to grace the TV screen. Freeze frame, use bib as needed....<slurp, slobber, gulp, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh>

Oh, yeah, the story...Joe turns around (dadburnit) and tells Pa that 'right is right, and this isn't! Pa tells Sheriff Coffee they'll make sure that Clay leaves town in the morning. Pa tries to reason with the oh-so-hotheaded Joe, assuring that it is in Clay's best interest that he leave town, anyway, ‘cause now the miners are all gonna be miffed with him.

Next morning we see Clay loading his horse to leave, and Joe not liking it one bit. Joe's bummed that Clay is leaving. Clay asks to see the picture of Joe's mother one more time, and Joe obliges. "It's not just a picture of a beautiful woman; she's my mother too," Clay says casually. KABOOM!

I guess this revelation delayed Clay's departure a bit, eh? We next see Hoss and Adam sitting on the porch waiting while Ben, Joe and Clay are inside discussing things and they don't like being left out of the discussion. Then Joe comes out -- Pa wants to talk to Clay alone. Here's his story:

Seems Marie had been married before, and Ben knew this, and he knew she'd had a child, but she said the baby had died. "They lied to her, and they lied to me." Clay says.

"Who?"

"My grandparents, my father's parents. They were against the marriage from the very beginning. They hated my mother. They didn't think she was good enough for their son; when we all caught the fever and my father died, they told my mother that I had died also. And when I got old enough to ask questions, they told me she was dead."

"And after all this time, how did you find out?" Ben asks suspiciously.

"When I got older and tired of wandering, I went back to New Orleans. I got sentimental and wanted to go put a flower on my mother's grave. But there wasn't any grave. After that, I checked with the hall of records and that's when I found out about you being married to my mother, about the Ponderosa."

"Clay, why didn't you tell us all this when you first got here?" Ben inquires, sounding still unconvinced.

"I didn't want to push myself on the family. I don't know why. I was curious. I wanted to see my brother. Wanted to find out if I liked you or not. None of this changes that fact that I need to be moving on; those miners are pretty hot under the collar."

"You'll be alright here on the Ponderosa," Ben assures Clay.

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Yeah, they won't come out here," says Ben firmly.

"Well, that's not what I mean."

"What do you mean?" Pa asks, totally confused.

"I mean, do you believe me?" Clay asks.

"Of course I do. The news is rather startling, but of course I believe you." (Pa doesn't really look too sure, you know?) But he invites Clay to move into the house from the bunk house.

Next we see Adam approaching Pa who is staring into the fireplace. "Hoss and Little Joe asleep?" Pa asks Adam. "I guess I should ask if Hoss, Little Joe and Clay are asleep. Guess I will be from now on."

"I guess so," Adam says, somewhat cautiously. "This was all kinda sudden, wasn't it?" You can see that Adam doesn't buy Clay's story one bit. He encourages Pa to check out Clay's story, just to be sure. Pa considers it....

Next we see Clay driving the buckboard into town for supplies. Joe comes galloping up after him on Cochise, chastising him for coming to town alone after all the trouble with the miners. Sure enough, here come a group of miners carrying 2 x 4's like clubs, ready to kick some Cartwright butt. Clay displays his quick-draw abilities and 'cleans up the street', shooting a can to prove his accuracy. Joe joins in, shooting the can as well. The miners tell Joe to keep his nose out of it; 'friend or no friend, he's not worth getting killed over'.

"He's not just my friend," Joe announces. "He's my BROTHER!"

KABOOM!!!!!

"All right, there'll be another day," the miners say as they back off in shock, not sure what to think of all this. Clay seems satisfied with the outcome and suggests they get a beer. "Can we just load the wagon and leave town?!?" Joe counters.

They load the supplies and head back to the round up, stopping to camp for the night on the way (apparently they are taking the long way back to the herd). Clay produces a jug. Joe takes a swig and his eyes practically pop out of his head. "Hey, this is whiskey!!" he exclaims.

"Well, not exactly; it's pulque,” Clay explains. “I got it from Manuel at the livery stable while you were loading up supplies. It's a drink they make in Mexico from cactus. Go on, drink up!"

"It's hot, but it's good!" Joe exclaims.

"Yeah, it's like riding a nice easy bronc. But when he discovers that burr under his saddle, watch out!"

"Yeah, well, don't worry about me, I can take it," Joe boasts.

(Watch Joe's facial expressions while he's drinking the pulque...he's hilarious!)

Joe asks how Clay learned about pulque; Clay explains that it's the only kind of liquor they have in Mexico, so he had to learn to like it.

"Mexico? What were you doing in Mexico?" Joe asks.

Clay explains that he fought with Juarez in the Mexican revolution. Then he starts to tell Joe about the girls who used to follow the army...like that Conchita! And Rosita!

A jug of pulque and a burned up pot of beans later, Clay and Joe are feeling noooo pain, and are becoming very enthusiastic about "Viva Juarez!" "Viva Conchita!" "Viva My Brother!" "Viva viva!" "Viva la revolucion!" "Viva pulque!!" and finally Joe decides "we need to go down there, and Viva that Conchita.......!"

Okay, can you say "Hangover?" Next morning we see SHIRTLESS JOE washing up in the stream. Mmmmmmm, mmmmmmmmm, gooooooood.

Oh, wait, where was I? Joe gingerly approaches the campfire where Clay, Adam and Hoss are really enjoying the food. Joe looks quite green. Hoss tries to get Joe to puke by dangling a slimy piece of bacon in front of him. Joe takes consolation in his coffee, and then Adam chunks the water dipper into the pail, just about scaring Joe out of his wits. Ya think he has a headache? Joe wanders to the end of the bench where Adam is sitting and Pa comes over, telling Joe he hopes he's feeling okay ‘cause they have a big day's work ahead of them. Joe mumbles that he's rarin' to go.... Clay goes to do his work, and Adam says to Hoss, "You know, that Clay sure is a likeable fella." Hoss agrees. "If you or I brought Joe home in that condition, we wouldn't have heard the last of it yet."

"Condition? What condition?” Joe protests. “I'm not in any condition. You heard what Pa said, let's get started..." Suddenly Adam stands up and the board Joe was sitting on goes flying, sending Joe sprawling. Hoss cracks up!!

Pa has summoned Adam and Hoss to the ranch. Seems he learned that Clay had another experience with another card game where someone else who had accused him of cheating also ended up dead. Hmmmmm.... I think Adam and Hoss would just as soon send Clay packing, but Pa says they have to give him the benefit of the doubt and give him another chance. He does have to tell Joe about it, though, and Joe's none to happy about all the accusations flying around about his new brother. Joe says he wants to be the one to tell Clay what they've learned about him...but when he goes to talk to Clay, he ends up asking Clay to take him to Mexico with him to meet some of those Rositas and Conchitas and drink some more of that pulque and see if they can find Juarez and do some more fighting.

When Ben goes to ask Clay about what he and Joe discussed, he is surprised to learn that Joe made other plans. Although Ben offers Clay the chance to stay, Clay really doesn't seem to want to. He likes wandering and isn't sure he'd like staying in one place. Although that wasn't what Ben was saying, he seems relieved to learn that Clay will be moving on.

Next scene we see Joe in town, and about 50 miners corner him into the alley and 'give him a message for his brother'(i.e., they beat the snot out of him.) Now, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, you see, because it brings about an MP ALERT!! YES!! GET YOUR BIBS READY!!!

See Joe riding awkwardly on Cochise into the yard? See him fall off Coochie? See him stumble onto the porch, fall over the chair, grab the bell? Well, look south as he falls and rolls over. How did we ever miss that before?!? The MP is making a prominent guest appearance!!

WHAT WAS THAT MAN THINKING ABOUT!?!?!?!?!??!??!?!

Didja see it? Didja freeze frame? Didja DROOL?!??!

Okay, now stop acting like silly school girls and get your fingers off that rewind button. Restrain yourselves, and you'll be rewarded with some very nice angsty bruised-up Shirtless Joe in a few minutes.

Now where was I? Oh, yeah, everyone rushes out to see why Joe is ringing the bell when it isn't lunch time. They carry him to his bed where some lucky person got to wrap his ribs. Mmmmmm, mmm, good.

Ben lets Clay know that Joe got beat up because of Clay's killing the miner. Clay takes the hint and moves out. A little later, Ben is bringing Joe some broth and Joe asks to see Clay. When Ben can't find Clay, Joe starts to accuse Ben of sending him away, but is sad to realize Clay left because he wanted to. Crazy guy drags his wounded, glistening self out of bed to go look for his brother. He finds Clay and is heartbroken when Clay tells him he doesn't want to stay, nor does he want Joe to come with him.

Poor Joe!! He looks so sad. He makes it back home where Pa is waiting up for him, and falls into Ben's arms in one of the most beautiful embraces of the whole show. Pa’s hugs do make everything all better, ya know?

REVIEWS:

“I think this episode ended too abruptly, and I DEFINITELY thought they should've brought Clay back for more episodes. Just another case of missed potential in Bonanzaland. But hey, it'll make for some great fanfics when you girls pick up where they dropped the ball!” Gina

“This is one of the few episodes I vividly remember watching in the first run. I always thought it was because it was a great story, super acting and one of the finest examples of all the Cartwrights doing what we loved them doing.... Joe being a rascal... Joe being bold and brave… smashed Joe ringing that bell...Adam being protective and analytical, Hoss and Adam teasing Joe, Pa loving his boys and comforting hurt invulnerable but broken hearted Joe... All the Bonanza clichés that I adored...Fist fights, shooting, Joe needing four baddies to pound him, Marie's dark mysterious past, the dark dangerous stranger who really winds up being a good guy... Cartwrights united... A house that smells spring time fresh from Marie furniture polish... Joe defying Pa but still coming home in the end to Pa's hugs and comfort. Everything we wished we had or wished we were or could join in. Just like poor Clay Stafford...we all wished we could be a Cartwright. Little did I know that subliminally I was REALLY noticing was as Gina so delicately described.” Robin

“Well worth the wait. "Let's go to the tape." I have to check all those sightings.” Lillian

“This episode is a closer runner-up for the ultimate "Shirtless Joe" episode -- edged out only by Second Chance. We have the wonderful scene by the lake where Joe wanders around for several minutes, obviously too hung-over to remember to put on his shirt. This feast of flesh is followed by the scene where beat-up Joe is lying in bed, bandages wrapped around his ribs but his fine chest clearly visible. Ahhhh! Such beauty to behold! "First Born" offers an interesting idea -- that Marie had a child before marrying Ben who returns. The complications this brings makes life on the Ponderosa are many. But I also thought the writers could have made Joe "bond" to his new brother a little less, and be a little more inclusive of Adam and Hoss. It was as if Adam and Hoss didn't exist for Joe after Clay showed up. That always struck me as off-kilter a bit.” Susan Grote

“This is also on my Top Ten Bonanza episodes. It has a little of everything I love in the show --1. That it features Joe. 2. Joe shirtless (2X) 3. Joe cute and funny (pulque scene). 4. Joe shirtless (2X) 5. Pa-Joe hug. 6. Joe shirtless (2x) 7. Family pulling together. 8. Joe shirtless (2x).” Debbiejo

“On a serious note, wanted to share that this is an ep on my ten best all-around Cartwright episodes list. You get to see the Cartwright's as less than perfect. Something the writers didn't show you often. Great sibling and Joe scenes! Great Pa and Joe scenes! ML and CG/CS acting and interacting superb! My three fav scenes: drinkin' the pulque, a.m. hangover and Pa/Joe hug! Those few final scenes: When Joe is hurt, bandaged and quite scrumptious on his bed devastated by the news that Clay has left and won't talk with his father; How hurt Joe, owing and oohing, struggles to get out of bed and follow Clay; The look on Joe's face when Clay tells him he doesn't need him and to go home. Then finally, Joe's anguish, pain and grief overwhelming him, his only comfort in his father's arms. No one else could act it like ML.” Nancy

“I love this episode because it filled in a lot of the blanks regarding Cartwright family history. Joe was adorable and I liked Clay a lot. I think this episode should have been a two-parter. I thought it was funny seeing ole' Adam sitting with his legs crossed on that plank of wood, he looked so urbane!!” Gail (bunny bonanza)

“This is a favorite of mine. Well-written and acted, and it avoided the danger of becoming maudlin like it could have easily done. Clay's pain when he is clutching the locket near the end is palpable. He made such a huge sacrifice to protect Joe by driving him away.” Sue W.

“This has always been one of my favorites and the Pa/Joe hug in the end brings me to tears every time.” Judy

“This episode was always one of my favorites; I thought Clay was quite good looking. Not as cute as Joe of course but a nice runner up. The scene they did while drinking was hilarious and Joe was soooo drunk and poor baby…what a hangover the next day. I liked the way Pa stood up for Clay and welcomed him into the family. Wasn’t Pa a great guy??? The whole show was just such a good showcase of all of them. It was pure Adam to doubt Clay as he was usually the one to think or reason logically instead of with his heart, Joe was hot-headed and on the defensive, and Hoss ...just being Hoss!” Deb

“I like the character of Clay and I like how Ben put forth such effort to make him a part of the family and how Clay put forth such effort to fit in, mostly for Joe's sake.” Sheryl

”Two things I have always wondered about this ep:
1. Where did the name Clay Stafford come from? They should have had Clay explain that?
2. Is Clay half blind or was the barbershop that far away from where he saw the Cartwrights ride into town, that he couldn't figure out which one was Little Joe? Ummmm. One man is an older man with white hair, one man is the size of a mountain, and another man is clearly younger than Clay. I thought that was a pretty dumb question. They could have set it up another way to let us know that this stranger was looking for Joe.” Ginny