EPISODE: The Thunder Man

Reviewed By Lynne C

Episode #131, Season 4, First aired: May 5^th 1963

Guest stars: Simon Oakland, Evelyn Scott

Written by: Lewis Reed

Directed by: Lewis Allen

SUMMARY:

The opening scene shows the yard of the Ponderosa decked out for a party. There are strings of colored lanterns and tables groaning with food. Ben greets Mrs. Gibson, a middle-aged neighbor, and thanks her for coming. She says that she wouldn’t have missed Little Joe’s birthday and Ben jokes that at Joe’s age you don’t mind celebrating birthdays. He explains that Joe is upstairs doing those last minute touches (why, we ask? He’s already perfect)

Cut to Joe’s room – he’s brushing his hair in the mirror. Adam comes up behind him and says ‘If you work on that left side, you’ll be a thing of beauty’ to which Joe just nods his head (of course, because he is). Both of them are wearing white shirts and black string ties and look very scrummy.

Joe shakes some liquid out of a bottle and rubs it into his hair. Adam says that Anne Wilson will be overcome, particularly if she stands downwind of Joe and Joe just says ‘Out of my way, peasant’. As he’s about to leave the room, Adam enquires as to why Joe was so insistent that Anne came to the party, and Joe replies that it’s because her uncle never lets her go anywhere and practically keeps her a prisoner. Adam comments that he always thought of Joe as a Lothario, but maybe he was now turning into a Good Samaritan. Joe bows and says he hopes that Adam has bought him a decent present this year. Adam snaps his fingers and gives a look that indicates that he hasn’t bought him anything. Joe leaves and Adam pours some of the liquid onto his hands, but before he puts it on his hair, he smells it, pulls a face, and then wipes his hands down his trousers.

Out on the road Anne and her uncle are trying to fix a wheel on their wagon. As he tries to lift it, Fred suffers some kind of seizure and calls for help. Anne is not strong enough to help him and then a wagon comes by, with a man on board singing ‘New Orleans Woman’ (sounds like ‘Buffalo gal won’t you come out tonight,’ to me). Anne runs after the man, who offers to help. He seems very concerned and goes to check on Fred, then tells Anne that her uncle is dead. She begins to cry and he consoles her, and then starts fondling her hair. It freaks her out (it would me, too) and she tries to pull away when he kisses her. We do not see what happens to her; we just hear her screaming and then cut to Fred, lying on the ground. He isn’t dead, his eyes are wide open and he obviously witnesses his niece’s death. However, he is paralyzed and can do nothing to help her, not even shout out.

Opening music and credits

Ben, Adam and Joe enter the house, having said goodbye to the last of the guests (no mention of why Hoss wasn’t there to celebrate with Joe). Ben says it was a really good party and Adam comments that he wonders why Mr. Wilson and Anne never showed up. Both Ben and Joe are surprised that they didn’t, as Fred had promised to bring Anne. Ben says he’s tired and wants to go to bed and Joe says he’s tired too, now that he’s a year older. Ben is about to close the front door when Mrs. Gibson returns, very distressed. She says that she found Fred Wilson out on the road and he’s dead. Joe asks about Anne, but she says she only saw Fred.

Joe and Ben ride out to where Fred is lying and Adam follows in the wagon. They discover that Fred isn’t dead, but that he’s suffered a stroke. There is no sign of Anne except for her shawl, which Joe finds on the ground. This indicates that she was with Fred, and so after lifting Fred into the back of the wagon and instructing Adam to take him to Doc Martin (who is probably sleeping off the effects of the party, poor man), Ben suggests that he and Joe begin to look for Anne. (As they watch the wagon leave, we are treated to a pretty good view of the MP…just thought I’d throw that in for light relief LOL). They mount a search and eventually Ben finds Anne lying behind a rock, dead. He fires three shots in the air and Joe rides over to join his father; both are saddened by the loss of such a young life.

Joe and Ben take Anne over to the undertaker and Doc Martin examines the body. As Joe is making his way to the doctor’s office, Poole greets him and apologizes for being a day late. It appears that Joe saw an exhibition of Poole’s skill with nitro in Carson City and asked him to come to the Ponderosa. Naturally, Joe is distracted over the death of Anne and is not really interested in talking to Poole, who follows them into the doctor’s office. He stays while Doc Martin explains that Anne was strangled, by a powerful man or a maniac (seems odd to me that they would discuss all this in front of Poole, a complete stranger). Poole then discovers that Fred is still alive, but unable to talk. Joe suggests taking Fred out to the Ponderosa, as he fears that the killer might come after him when he discovers there was a witness to the crime (not knowing that the murderer is there, with them).

Doc Martin agrees to the move, saying there is nothing more he can do for Mr. Wilson and Poole offers to help carry Fred out to the wagon. Poor Fred, once again, has to look into the face of the man who killed his niece and not be able to tell anyone. Poole arranges to go out to the ranch the following day to give his demonstration.

At the demonstration, Poole blows up a tree stump near the barn in the Ponderosa yard. (can’t say I’ve ever noticed that they had a tree there). Several people are witnessing this, one of them being Mrs. Gibson, who is very impressed with Poole’s skill. She wants to hire him to clear her stumps (never heard it called that before) and it is arranged that Poole will go to her ranch first. He finds out that she is a widow and makes a rather smarmy remark about her being far too pretty to be sorrowed by widowhood and she bats her eye-linered eyes and gets quite giddy (not sure why; he gives me the creeps)

Back in the house, Hop Sing is sitting with Mr. Wilson, who is in the downstairs bedroom, and Joe goes in to see how he is. Hop Sing tells him that there hasn’t been any change in his condition. Joe says that you can see that Mr. Wilson so desperately wants to be able to tell them what happened. It is obvious that the lack of progress in finding the killer is frustrating Joe.

This frustration spills over into anger when Joe returns to the main room and Adam, sensing Joe’s distress, asks him to accompany him on a trip to Genoa to check out some yearlings. Joe snaps at Adam, but immediately apologizes, knowing that Adam is only trying to help. Adam tells Joe that he understands; but that the law is doing all they can and he saw the posse out searching on his way home.

At Mrs. Gibson’s, Poole has finished work for the day and Mrs. Gibson invites him in to wash up, before supper (she has a wash basin in her living room, which I thought was rather odd.) As he washes up, Poole makes comments about her charming house and then talks about how a man gets lonely, living the life he does. (As he talks, Mrs. Gibson is making eyes at the camera, reminding me of a silent movie star, who had do talk with actions, rather than words.).

Mrs. Gibson says that she has been alone for five years and Poole says that he had someone whom he was really fond of but she was killed when she got caught up in one of his explosions. He then starts talking about the power of the glycerin and gets quite heated, until he apologizes for going on too much (at this point I am quite freaked out by him -- he’s weird -- but Mrs. Gibson seems quite taken with the man. It takes all sorts, I suppose.) She says that a man like him could be quite useful around a ranch (she must be lonelier than I thought). Poole is keen on the idea and says he will go over to the Ponderosa after supper and inform the Cartwrights that he will be staying at Mrs. Gibson’s a bit longer. (Wonder what else he thinks he might be pulling out, apart from stumps?)

At the Ponderosa, Ben and Hoss are in the barn tending to Buck when Poole rides up. Ben sees who it is and assumes that the man has come to see Joe and so does not go across to the house. Poole walks in without waiting for anyone to open the door, and enters the downstairs bedroom where Fred is in the bed and Joe is dozing in the chair. Joe wakes up and startles Poole, who I don’t think is aware that Joe is there when he first goes into the room.

Joe is surprised to see Poole, and the man explains that he will be staying longer at the Widow Gibson’s place. He then goes on to say that Mrs. Gibson was anxious to know how Mr. Wilson was and Joe looks over to the bed to see that Fred is looking scared stiff. He ushers Poole out of the room, saying they are disturbing him.

Poole also wants to know if they have caught anyone and Joe says they are not likely to, as the deputy sheriff is inefficient. Poole says that these things are best left to the authorities (I think he fears that Joe might get too close if he starts investigating)

The next day, when he is supposed to be working with Hoss, Joe rides into town to seek out the deputy sheriff, Clem. They eventually meet up in the saloon and Joe begins to berate the man for not finding the killer. Clem is rather sarcastic and says that killers are not usually that keen to reveal their identity to the law, and when asked, will deny that they have murdered anyone. He says he has interviewed everyone, even Poole, and Joe wants to know why, as Poole wasn’t even in the area when Anne was killed (yes he was, Joseph).

Clem is not happy with Joe’s attitude (I don’t think Pa would be either) and tells Joe to go back home and leave him to do his job. Joe says that if Roy were there, he would be confident that a proper job was being done. Clem calls Joe ‘young fella’ and says he is a good deputy sheriff. The ‘young fella’ remark angers Joe some more, and Clem repeats it and tells Joe to keep his nose out of his business. Joe leaves, saying that he thinks he ought to get involved because Clem can’t do the job.

When he gets home, Joe decides to ‘fess up to Pa and tell him about the argument he’s had with Clem before Clem does. Ben is not happy about Joe losing his temper, but does sympathize with Joe’s frustration. But he tells Joe to leave it to the law.

Joe is still blaming himself for inviting Anne to the party and says that if he hadn’t, she and Fred would have been safe at home that night. He goes into Fred’s room and says he wishes that he could tell them what happened. He notices that Mr. Wilson is moving his fingers and realizes that he wants to write something down. Joe calls Ben, asking him to bring a paper and pencil, which Ben does. When Ben sees what Joe is planning to do, he warns Joe not to upset Fred, but they press on and Fred painstakingly writes ‘New Orleans Woman’ on the paper before he is too tired to do anymore. This means nothing to Ben and Joe and they wonder if the killer was a woman. Joe then hits on the idea of asking Fred questions, and getting him to shut his eyes if the answer is yes, and keep them open, if it’s no. Ben says ‘Good boy’ to Joe for thinking of this (waaahh!!) and they manage to determine that the killer was a man, someone who had been to the Ponderosa and that New Orleans Woman was a song. Ben recognizes the title, but can’t recall how it sounds. After all this effort, poor Fred dies.

The next day, Hoss is preparing to leave for town and is in the yard with the buckboard. Joe wants to go with him, but asks Hoss to wait while he returns to the house to get something. While Joe’s gone, Ben hands Hoss a note for Clem, explaining what Fred told them before he died. He then tells Hoss to go without Joe, as he doesn’t want Joe going to town. Hoss drives off in the wagon.

Joe runs out calling to Hoss to stop, but Hoss doesn’t. Ben tells Joe that he doesn’t want him going to town and instructs him to come back into the house to talk. Ben goes in and Joe stands there, looking for all the world like a petulant teenager who has been grounded, and says ‘Talk’ but then goes in.

Ben tells him that he didn’t want him going into town and losing his temper again. He says that Hoss will give Clem all the details and that way they will have discharged their duty to the law. Before Joe can get too mad, Ben suggests that they go a bit further. He tells Joe to go over and see Mrs. Gibson, who plays the organ in church, because she might recognize the song. Joe cheers up, now that he has something to do, and heads off.

When Joe gets to the widow’s, she is alone in the house and he starts to ask about the song. She is not sure that she knows it, but goes through some songbooks and finds it. She plays it for Joe and says it’s a romantic little tune. She asks Joe why he is interested in the song (probably thinks it’s to impress a girl). He tells her that Mr. Wilson is dead and explains what he was able to tell them, before he died. Mrs. Gibson says that she can’t recall hearing anyone singing the song and Joe leaves.

Then Poole arrives and tells Mrs. Gibson that he saw Joe on the road. She tells him about the song and keeps humming it. Suddenly it dawns on her that Poole is the one who sings it. She tries to get away from him, but he rips the page out of the songbook and then advances on her, as he did on Anne.

Joe has to stop on the way home, as Cochise picks up a stone in her hoof. As he removes it, Joe hears the sound of blasting and is surprised, as Mrs. Gibson told him that Poole had finished. Joe decides to go back and investigate. He finds Poole carrying Mrs. Gibson into the house; she is dead (but looking remarkably good for someone caught up in an explosion). Poole seems really upset and says that Mrs. Gibson insisted on him removing one last stump, which was very close to the fence and wouldn’t have been in the way of a plough. He then says that she came too close and the blast broke her neck. Joe says they must take her body into town and it looks like he believes Poole’s story. But then he sees the ripped sheet of music on the floor and gets suspicious.

Poole runs outside and grabs a phial of nitro from his wagon. He tells Joe to throw away his gun and talks about there having to be another accident in which Joe will be killed. Joe asks how many accidents there have been already, and why they are always women? Poole says it’s because they resist his charms (what charms?). As Poole talks, Joe makes a spectacular dive off the porch and into the flowerbed where he threw his gun. He grabs the gun and aims it at Poole, who has now worked himself into a frenzy. Poole is shouting about being ‘a thunder man and no power from the heavens or the earth, can harm me’. He hasn’t reckoned on Joe Cartwright, who shoots him. As he stumbles forward, Poole drops the phial and there is an explosion (this is a bit odd, as his wagon, which is behind him, is knocked over in the blast…go figure). When the smoke clears, Poole is lying dead on the ground and Joe is on the porch.

REVIEWS:

“I enjoy this ep for Joe's dogged determination to find the killer and for the exchange between Joe and Adam in the opening scene. But Poole irritates me; he has an obsequious manner and I feel that it is a shame that, once again, someone who tries to help the Cartwrights ends up dead. (Mrs. Gibson)” Lynne C.

“Yes, Poole is a creepy man and I don't know why they didn't see it!  I felt very sorry for Anne and Fred and Mrs. Gibson.” Gail (whoa bunny, bonanza)

“I definitely remember seeing this episode as a kid and being creeped out at Mr. Poole. For a long time we played out the entire episode including the paralyzed uncle on his death bed blinking out messages and then "GAK I am dead!" to whistling endless choruses of "New Orleans Woman" to tossing bottles of  "nitro" at each other. Loved this one.” Robin

“Mr. Poole has been one of my favorite bad guys. Simon Oakland sorta repeats the role in JUSTICE DEFERRED without nitro.” Rita

“I always liked this episode.  It had a good plot, good supporting actors and actresses.  Many times with Bonanza "who-dun-it" ep's, it's pretty cut and dry; someone is murdered; you see who did it; you see the Cartwright's figuring out who did it; the person is killed or sent to jail.  In this ep, sure you know who did it or at least suspect, it was pretty inventive of the writer to have Mr. Wilson experience a stroke while witnessing his daughter’s murder. Then to have him have numerous encounters with Poole just heightened the suspense of the drama. Poole portrayed a great evil serial killer.  He had everyone fooled, even Joe and then the discovery through the song, "New Orleans Woman" that he really was the one.  One thing though.  I wish they hadn't killed the "Mrs. Gibson" character.” Nancy

“I liked this show it had so many facets of Joe in it. The debonair young man getting ready for the party as well as Joe feeling remorse over the death of two people and then the angry Joe that sends sparks flying through the tube.” Deb

“I like this episode primarily because of the interaction between Joe and Adam, as well as between Joe and Pa (Hoss is curiously absent throughout this episode). Adam acts very brotherly toward Joe, first ribbing him about getting ready for his birthday, and then trying to help Joe deal with Anne's death and Mr. Wilson's incapacity. Ben really acts like Pa with Joe...comforting him, offering guidance, and being stern with him when needed.” Susan Grote

“This ep gives me the 'willies' (oops! no pun intended); every time I see Poole near anybody -- be it male or female! He just creeps me out! But I do like the family interaction in this one.” Judy

“Although the episode does have a creepy feeling to it, it is still one that I find myself watching a lot. I really enjoy the scene where Joe realizes that Mr. Wilson is able to write them a message.  He is just SO enthusiastic and excited and, like you, I love it when Ben says "Good boy".  Love the scenes with Adam too! After watching this ep a few times, I found myself using the word “discommoded" all the time!” Susan Groves

“I always found Poole very disturbing and creepy, too, and couldn't understand why Mrs. Gibson couldn't see right through him. Also like you, I couldn't figure out why they would talk about the murderer in front of a stranger, or why there was still a body left after Poole blew himself up after Joe shot him. Oh well...good riddance anyhow. He was evil.” Leesa