EPISODE: The Way of Aaron

Reviewed by Gina

Season 4, Episode 124, Air date: March 10, 1963

Guest Stars: Aneta Corseaut, Ludwig Donath

Written by Raphael T. Glau

Directed by Murray Golden

SUMMWARY:

The episode opens with Adam enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch as Aaron Kaufman, a peddler, stops his wagon in front of the Ponderosa. The sweet man asks if Ben is around and is told that he is over at the Andersons. Once Adam sees Kaufman's daughter, Rebecca, he is obviously interested in her, but allows Kaufman to show him a revolver that might interest him which he is letting go for a good price.

He removes it from a hidden compartment behind the seat, and explains that it is a *Merwin-Hulbert 44 caliber.  He is willing to part with it for a mere $10.00.  Adam checks out the revolver and declines even though he agrees that this type of gun is usually worth upwards of $19.00.

He suggests that the Kaufmans stop back on their return trip Friday, and perhaps Pa may be interested.  The Kaufman's leave and Adam, dressed in black, watches them drive away.  As they make their way down the road, Aaron and Rebecca sing happily unaware that two bad guys contemplate robbing them on their return trip. These would-be outlaws hope to get a lot of money once Kaufman has sold his wares.

Rebecca has enjoyed this sojourn away from home but Aaron is agitated that they may not make it home in time for the Sabbath.  They live in Carson City, and it is getting late. They do stop at the Ponderosa despite the time of day.

Adam is right there to greet them dressed in a heavy white shirt. (Good heavens, he looked good!) Adam quickly appears by the side of the wagon where Rebecca is as Aaron introduces his daughter to Ben. It is now that Ben is informed that this stop had been requested by Adam, as Kaufman mentions they had stopped by earlier in the week.

Adam feigns innocence, as Ben gives him a suspicious look. Ben thanks Kaufman for stopping, and said he does not need anything, while Adam has now offered to give Rebecca a quick tour of the Ponderosa. With Rebecca standing beside him, Adam contradicts Pa's statement stating that he left a list of items on the table.

With that 'boys will be boys' shrug, Ben says, "Right this way, Mr. Kaufman. It is obvious we need a few things."

With Pa occupied, Adam begins the tour. They hear a horse prancing about in the barn's OPEN door. As they get to the door, it is closed (oops) and Adam calls out to Jupiter, calming the horse with his baritone voice. Once the horse is calm, Adam fills Rebecca in on his efforts to break part of the spirit of this fine horse he says he considers one of his favorites.  (hmmm, never saw that horse again!)

Anyways, she begins to explain her father's views and how they do not seem the same as Adam's, at least where horses are concerned. While she talks, Adam's demeanor bothered me, as he seemed to be half-heartedly listening.  The camera is set on Rebecca with Adam at a 3/4 view from the back. He fidgets with his knuckles close to his mouth, as though he is not really interested in what she has to say.

The conversation is cut short as the sound of gunfire is heard outside. Racing outside, they see Ben Cartwright target shooting the Merwin-Hulbert and Kaufman nearby with a box of ammo. Ben returns the gun to Kaufman, his mind is not made-up, yet. Aaron and Rebecca leave, in a hurry, as father hopes to make it back to Carson City in time for the Sabbath.

Right after they leave, Ben hands Adam a folded slip of paper. "That's what you owe me for the list you made up," Pa says to his smitten son.

Adam gets this cute grin and rolls his head slightly. "Sorry about that."

The next scene shows the Kaufmans discussing the lateness of the day, and he decides that they will not make it home in time.  He refuses to change his ways and announces that they will honor the Sabbath in the wilderness. His unworldly, yet pretty, daughter is worried and with good cause as Sykes and Hank, the two bad guys are watching them from the shadows. These two bad guys decide to wait until nightfall to make their move.

In the meantime, Ben and Adam have completed a meal (without Hoss and Joe present) and Adam seems preoccupied to Ben.  Adam is now wearing his traditional black shirt, once again!! Anyways, Ben asks him in a frank tone, "What's on you mind?"

"Nothing."

Father knows best!!  "Is it the girl?"

Adam tries to minimize his interest and explains how he got the impression that Rebecca has led a sheltered life and wants to meet new people. He suggests that they hold a party on the Ponderosa, and have the Kaufmans meet their circle of friends.  Pa agrees, and then Adam asks if it would be alright to go to Carson City for the weekend.

 Ben agrees, by saying, "Why not. You seem to have your mind pretty well set up on it."  (Pa saw through his facade.)

Adam is clever as he asks if Pa has made his mind up about buying the gun. Of course, Ben is confused and asks, "What has that got to do with what we were talking about?"

Flustered, Adam explains. "I can't just rush in and say, 'Mr. Kaufman, would you like to come to a party?!'"

"Alright, I'll buy the gun," Ben says.

Adam leaves and night has fallen as Rebecca and her father prepare for the Sabbath prayers. Adam sees where they have left the wagon, and he ties up Sport nearby. Adam walks around the wagon and observes the ritual. Rebecca is dutifully helping her father prepare for his prayers which included washing his hands. My impression is that this is to symbolically remove "worldly" indulgences. Aaron begins his prayers, and Rebecca sees Adam watching. Adam tells her that he was on his way to see them in Carson City and his father had decided to buy the gun.

Here is where Rebecca explains the traditions concerning the Sabbath and her father's strict ways. He does not do any business on the Sabbath, be it dealing with money, even driving a horse. Although Adam was not aware of this, Rebecca is quick to apologize for Adam having wasted his time.

Adam comes clean and admits to her the real reason for his visit, telling her that the gun purchase was just an excuse.

Rebecca invites Adam to go for a walk while her father continues with his prayers. Adam hesitates, wondering if that is proper. Rebecca tells him just until Papa finishes. As they move away from Aaron Kaufman, you can still hear his words in the background; Adam cordially invites Rebecca and her father to come to a party on the Ponderosa. The date has yet to be decided.   He convinces her that they could meet new people, make new friends. (I thought that many people would know them already, as he is a business man who travels!)  At first she is thrilled, then she says the word," But..."

Being a gentleman, Adam asks her why the hesitancy. Rebecca admits that her life has been spent cooking, sewing and praying and yet he tries to entice her with the idea of meeting someone. The conversation turns as he asks her how she envisioned her man (beloved) if he appeared. Here, she is torn between her father's ideal of a scholar, a teacher; a man who may look as Papa did 30 years ago. Then her own feelings are exposed as she adds, "No thought to the ruggedness of the jaw, his muscles or the strength of his hands".  She ends this statement with "things that suddenly seem very attractive to me." (Wow! What a description of Adam as he is so close to her.)  She apologizes, saying that she should be ashamed of herself.

Adam consoles her by explaining that there is nothing wrong with feeling like a woman. He takes her hand and kisses her sweetly.

They return just as the prayers are ending, and Adam stands aside and Aaron blesses his daughter as the ceremony concludes. Rebecca informs her father of the reason for Adam's visit and is quick to add that she has explained the Sabbath traditions to him, at least in regards to buying and selling during the Sabbath.  Her father acknowledges her statement but seems reserved.

As Adam leaves them, Aaron states the obvious. "You like this young man, don't you?"

She keeps it low key by saying that Adam is nice to her.

Aaron Kaufman points out to her that Adam does not meet his own ideal of man for his daughter. "But he is not a scholar, a teacher."

Facing her father, she states very pointedly, "I'll tell you what he is. He's a man!" (It is obvious that she learned a lot from Adam with just one kiss!!). She proceeds to tell him of the yet to be party on the Ponderosa that they have been invited to attend.

This is when Aaron Kaufman reminds his daughter of his beliefs, and his expectations for his daughter to honor her father and the traditions of his house. Her angry outburst and worldliness will not be tolerated on the Sabbath.  A close up of Kaufman's profile shows that the discussion has ended.

Adam returns to Sport and has decided not to head back to the Ponderosa this late at night. He is also concerned for the well-being of the Kaufmans. His act of chivalry earns him a blow to the head knocking him out and Sykes suggests they do away with him.  His partner, Hank, rejects the suggestion and says to tie him up.

The meal Mr. Kaufman and his daughter were having is interrupted as the two men appear and demand Kaufman's money for the week's sales. Sykes grabs the wine after they are told where the money is stashed. The bad guys disappear into the woods to count their riches. Rebecca is very emotional, and demands that her father take some kind of action. He refuses, as it is the Sabbath. She attacks his faith, and makes it quite clear that Adam Cartwright would have taken action. It is obvious that her sudden fondness for Adam has caused her to dismiss the teachings based on her up-bringing.

The next morning, Adam is rudely brought to by a kick to the sole of his boot. He is lead around the peddler's wagon to see Rebecca tied up, leaning against a boulder and Mr. Kaufman looking slightly beaten and tied to the back of the wagon.  The crooks are angry because they only netted $12.00 for their efforts. They believe Adam may help them get the rest of the money.

Except for when Sykes taunts Kaufman with water, Adam acts in a surprisingly cold manner towards Kaufman. Rebecca is outraged when Adam impassively asks Kaufman if this is worth it. No longer does she feel the same about Adam, and calls him a liar when he tells the outlaws that Kaufman has something valuable.

Adam continues by saying that he refuses to have his life sacrificed for $1000.00. The Kaufmans ban together in their confusion, and Adam drops a subtle hint about the deal Kaufman had with that Chicago drummer.

 Kaufman balks at the thought, not only because of the Sabbath, but he does not want any more violence. Yet, once Hank recommends that they use Rebecca, who screams as Sykes unties her with less than kindly intentions, Kaufman relents. He explains that they would not find it, so he must be untied to retrieve it. Sykes frees Aaron Kaufman, and as the peddler pulls the gun from the hidden compartment behind the seat, he is forced to shoot Sykes and Hank. It was clearly an act of self-defense.

Now, everyone is at the Ponderosa, and Aaron Kaufman is looking quite haggard and frail propped up on the settee. Joe is sent to fetch Doc Martin, and the Cartwrights are expressing their concerns over Aaron's injuries from the ordeal. Although he wants to return home, arrangements are made for father and daughter to spend the night on the Ponderosa, even if it is to be in the quickly remodeled wagon. Aaron Kaufman is grateful for their hospitality, but does remind them that he is strict Orthodox, and jokingly asks if Hop Sing can cook kosher.

Kaufman tells Adam that children who are proud of their father are a father's greatest reward. He senses the closeness the Cartwrights share, and now is happy that his daughter is once again proud of him as her father. Despite Adam saying that what Kaufman did showed great courage, the bandaged peddler says that he may have been good, but he regretted taking two lives.  As Kaufman is helped to his feet, he asks that the Cartwrights not have the party until he is well. He has changed his mind. The kindness of the Cartwrights has paid off!!

Adam gets invited to have dinner with the Kaufmans that night, and Adam winks. "On one condition.  It has to be kosher, strictly kosher."

With the dawn, you see the wagon leave the empty front yard of the Ponderosa.

REVIEWS:

“Although my knowledge is lacking on Jewish traditions, I did have a few questions and did some research.  I don't think Rebecca's invitation to take a stroll during her father's prayers was a very good idea. Tempting as Adam is, I don't think that was appropriate.  Other than that, I truly enjoyed this episode. I did replay the section of the tape where Adam asks Pa about going to Carson City for the weekend, and knowing all that has been written about grown men asking Pa for "permission"...I did not feel that PR, in this episode, acted like it was awkward. “ Gina

“Being a gentleman, Adam asks her why the hesitancy. Rebecca admits that her life has been spent cooking, sewing and praying and yet he tries to entice her with the idea of meeting someone. The conversation turns as he asks her how she envisioned her man (beloved) if he appeared. Here, she is torn between her father's ideal of a scholar, a teacher; a man who may look as Papa did 30 years ago. Then her own feelings are exposed as she adds, “No thought to the ruggedness of the jaw, his muscles or the strength of his hands”.  She ends this statement with “things that suddenly seem very attractive to me.”  (Wow! What a description of Adam as he is so close to her.)” Miss Maggie

“I always thought Adam acted cold towards Kaufmann so that the outlaws didn't realize his real feelings and would believe he would talk to save his own skin. Adam was very good at picking the women with backgrounds that made life difficult, maybe he really didn't want to marry, he was saving himself for me!” Lyn Robinson

“I assume that the fact that you missed out the scene where Joe and Hoss leave for the box social is because you haven't got it in your copy of this ep, but as an LJ fan, that scene is one of the funniest. The three boys are supposed to be attending a box social and at the last minute, Adam refuses to go. Hoss and Joe try to persuade him and Pa to attend and Joe does an impression of his Pa asking a lady (Hoss) to dance and then leads Hoss round the yard, with Hoss batting his eyelids and twittering on like a lovestruck young girl. I don't feel that Adam is at all demeaned by asking his Pa if he can go to Carson for the week end. He doesn't so much ask as just let Pa know where's he's going, a common courtesy, I would say Love the bit when Ben realizes why Adam made up a list and presents him with a bill, in fact I think that this ep shows just how close Adam and Ben are.” Lynne (Little Joe forever)

“As you know, I love when there is interaction between the brothers...love that Friday night dance scene...Adam is all dressed up with no where to go (or so they think)... the by-play between Ben and his love-lorn son is quite touching.  Even Mr. Dauntless, Mr. Suave and Mr. Sophisticate needs to talk to his Pa...at least sometimes.” Lillian

“This was a show that I enjoyed parts of but didn’t ever consider it a favorite one. Well…that could have something to do with the lack of Joe LOL. Like other shows I thought it was inconsistent in a few areas. Like the gal walking off with Adam while her father was praying. For a girl brought up very strictly and who was rather portrayed as shy, I though why in the heck isn’t she praying too. Or at least being respectful during prayer. Adam was looking good here and it was quite cute the way he had to pay for the list of supplies. lol” Deb

“She might have been not so respectful as she was rejecting the "old fashioned" boring ways of her father...much like adolescents often do. It was also pretty characteristic of the time that episode was made for many American Jews to reject the way their parents had observed or lived and want to become assimilated Jews. And...she wanted to flirt with Adam (hubba hubba)...” Robin

“This is an Adam episode which I give a "thumbs up".  It represents Adam's diversity and quiet intellect.  Though the writer's try to portray all the Cartwrights as open minded and accepting, Adam always seems to become involved in the minority causes i.e.:  falling in love with a woman raised by Indians; falling for a Quaker; a Jewish girl.  I think part of this is due to his experiences and education.  He is also a watcher; an observer.  Adam has that trait of being able to adapt and connect to with an honest wisdom that comes from deep within the heart.  You also see how sexy and desirable the oldest Cartwright can be.” Nancy 

“I liked the way the episode showcases Jewish traditions for us gentiles.  Very interesting and beautiful.  Adam was his usual intense self though I have to look again at the parts where you felt he appeared disinterested.  I liked the dialogue with Pa.  Adam's closeness to Pa wasn't exploited as often as Joe's was, so it was nice to see.  Pa knew his oldest very well! “Gail (whoa bunny, bonanza)

“I think my favorite part of this episode is when Adam is obviously looking for an excuse to spend time with Rebecca, and Pa is viewing his antics with amusement. This is one of the few times we see Adam acting a bit like a schoolboy about a girl (usually it's Joe or Hoss who does that). I think this makes Adam appear less reserved and more like his brothers. And I love Pa's actions with Adam -- handing him the bill for the "things they had to buy", agreeing to let him go after the Kaufman's with the excuse about the gun and so on. Pa's indulgence and gentle amusement about what Adam is doing makes their relationship seem closer, much more like a father and son than in many episodes.” Susan Grote