Bushwhacked

EPISODE: Bushwhacked

Episode #392, Season 13, Originally aired October 3, 1971

Guest Stars: Richard O’Brien, Peggy McCay, David Huddleston

Written by Preston Wood

Directed by William Wiard

SUMMARY:

The episode opens with a rancher named Griswold and one of his hands hearing a shot as they are riding across a scrubby looking piece of land. They decide to investigate, and find Joe’s horse; they also find blood on Joe’s saddle. Hearing another shot, Griswold and his ranch hand investigate further and find Joe lying under a scrawny little tree. Initially, the two men think Joe’s injury is simply a bullet in his leg, and begin to treat that wound. Joe rouses himself enough to see a fuzzy image of Griswold, and thinks the rancher is his father. As he is reaching for the person he thinks is Pa, Joe falls forward and Griswold discovers Joe has also been shot in the back. He declares Joe near death (although Joe was strong enough to reload his gun and keep firing it – another example of the iron will of a Cartwright!). Nevertheless, Griswold and his ranch hand build a travois on which to transport Joe back to Griswold’s ranch. The hand rides off to warn Griswold’s wife about the injured man her husband is bringing in. A delirious Joe mumbles a repeated plea for the men not to shoot him again as Griswold leads Joe’s horse with the travois attached toward his ranch.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (I love that phrase!), Griswold’s no-nonsense wife prepares to take care of Joe by pulling out bandages and telling her teenage daughter that they’ll put the injured man her bed. The daughter is dismayed, not wanting a man to die in her bed (get a grip, girl – you’re getting Joe Cartwright in your bed; he’s not going to die and he’s a hunk. This is better than Christmas!). When Joe is brought to the ranch house, Griswold’s wife examines him while the rancher searches Joe’s jacket for some identification. Griswold discovers Joe’s wallet full of money and a paper identifying him. When Griswold’s wife declares Joe needs a doctor (Duh!), Griswold agrees to send for one as well as send a telegram to Joe’s family.

At the Ponderosa, one of the hands brings Ben a telegram advising him (we presume) that Joe has been shot and he should come right away. Ben and Hoss rush to the Griswold ranch, where they are greeted by Griswold and the doctor. The doctor tells Ben and Hoss that Joe’s condition is serious, and leads them to where the now-shirtless Joe (sigh of lust!) is laying in bed. A concerned Ben tries to comfort his son, but Joe is too delirious to make a sensible response; instead he just keeps mumbling about being tired and begging not to be shot again. Griswold gives Hoss the wallet full of money he found in Joe’s jacket, which puzzles Hoss because he figured Joe was shot so someone could take the money. Now we have a real mystery on our hands – who shot J.R., er, um, I mean, Joe?

The doctor tells Ben that he removed a bullet from Joe’s leg, but another bullet is still in Joe’s back. It’s causing infection and fever, but the doctor is afraid to remove it because he might kill Joe if he does. The doctor decides it’s best to wait and see what happens (he’s obviously discovered the magical Cartwright constitution and figures Joe will overcome infection, loss of blood and a bullet in his back with no problem). Ben reluctantly agrees, and once more tries to comfort Joe before leaving the room (we have a nice aaah moment as Ben tenderly strokes Joe’s head and shoulder).

Despite his delirium, Joe has recognized Pa’s voice and dreams he sees his father sitting at the end of the bed insisting that Joe tell who shot him. At first, Joe says he can’t – he’s too tired, he doesn’t know – but the Ben in his dream is persistent. Joe tries to remember what happened. We now get the first of the surreal scenes, with confused images of Joe being shot, running, having Hoss draw a gun on him, and diving behind a teepee. Nothing makes much sense, which I suppose is meant to depict Joe’s confused thinking in his delirium.

Hoss and Ben are in the kitchen of the ranch house, questioning the sheriff and Griswold about what happened to Joe. They discover that the sheriff hasn’t really investigated the shooting, that the lawman is too lazy or indifferent – or both – to care about what happened to Joe. Upset and angry, Ben sends Hoss out with Griswold and the sheriff to find out what they can. Meanwhile, Ben goes back into the bedroom to check on Joe. The doctor tells Ben there is no change in Joe’s condition, and assures Ben he knows what he’s doing. The doctor also promises Ben that he won’t operate on Joe without Ben’s permission (thereby avoiding a malpractice lawsuit). Somewhat reassured, Ben leaves to start questioning all the other ranchers in the area who have gathered at the Griswold ranch to prepare for a community cattle drive.

When Ben questions the other ranchers, he learns nothing; the men are either unconcerned about Joe or suspicious of what Ben might do. Meanwhile, however, Hoss as arrived at the area where Joe was found and discovers some mysterious tracks.

Back in the bedroom, sweaty shirtless Joe (sigh with lust!) is burning with fever. He has more confused dreams about running, wagon wheels, teepees, and so on. The doctor decides Joe has reached a critical point and sends for Ben. The doctor tells Ben that he now has to operate on Joe, despite the risks, because he now thinks Joe won’t be able to fight off the infection (and this guy went to what medical school?). Unsure what to do, Ben asks the doctor about the bullet taken from Joe’s leg and the doctor (who is carrying the bullet in his pocket as some kind of bizarre souvenir) shows it to Ben. Ben figures out Joe was shot from long distance, and thinks the bullet in Joe’s back may not be very deep (um, shouldn’t the doctor have figured that out?). He gives the doctor permission to operate on Joe.

As the doctor begins to operate, Joe has another one of his confused, delirious dreams about teepees, wagon wheels and so on. Ben waits on the porch for the outcome of the operation, obviously deep in thought or perhaps prayer. As the doctor continues the operation, Joe’s delirious dream becomes one of him standing in the dark as Ben emerges from the Ponderosa ranch house to beg his son to stay. In his dream, Joe tells his father he wants to stay but he’s not sure if he can because he’s so tired, and then he fades back into the darkness. (My take on this scene is Joe feels he is dying, but his father’s prayers or strong thoughts are trying to keep that from happening. Regardless, it’s a very poignant scene).

As Ben waits on the porch, Hoss returns with Griswold and the sheriff to tell his father about the mysterious tracks. Ben informs Hoss that the doctor is operating, then turns his attention to Hoss’ news. Hoss tells his father that they followed the tracks but lost them. Ben concludes that whoever shot Joe came back to make sure he was dead and decides that a pack of dogs might be able to pick up the trail. The sheriff thinks using dogs is too much trouble, but agrees to get a pack after Hoss and Griswold chastise him for not doing his job.

Just then, Griswold’s daughter comes out to tell Ben the operation is over. Hoss and Ben rush into the house, where the doctor tells Ben that his assumption of the bullet not being deep in Joe’s back was correct. When Ben asks him if Joe will be all right, the doctor gives him the old “it’s up to your son now” line (again wanting to make sure he covers all his bases so Ben doesn’t file a malpractice suit).

Ben and Hoss go into see Joe, and seem surprised to find Joe still delirious (what? They thought he would be cured of the infection as soon as the operation is over?). Ben once again comforts Joe and tells his son to rest, while Joe keeps mumbling about wagon wheels and teepees. Neither Ben nor Hoss understand what that means (nor do the viewers seeing the episode for the first time). Ben tells Hoss to stay with Joe while he rides out to meet the sheriff who is presumably getting a pack of dogs. As Ben is leaving, he learns that the doctor also must leave to treat another patient (the doc must have ESP or gotten a message over the not-yet-invented telephone). In addition, the other ranchers depart the Griswold place as Ben and Griswold are riding out, leaving only Hoss, Mrs. Griswold, the daughter and one or two other hands behind (uh oh).

When Ben and Griswold arrive at the area where Joe was found, Ben spots the brand on Griswold’s horse – a teepee. Ben thinks about what Joe kept saying – teepee and wagon wheel – and figures out that Griswold’s teepee brand could easily be changed into the wagon wheel brand of a neighboring ranch. Ben and Griswold guess Joe caught the rustlers changing the brands, and that’s why he was shot. Ben decides he needs to return to Griswold’s ranch to protect Joe.

Meanwhile, two of the ranchers who were just part of the crowd in earlier scenes meet and have an ominous conversation about “taking care of things”.

Back at the ranch (again, my favorite phrase), Hoss is sitting by the bed of a sleeping shirtless Joe (sigh of lust!) and beginning to doze off. The two rancher/rustlers sneak up to the ranch in the dark. One of them starts a fire in an old shed, while the other one creeps up to the side of the ranch house. Discovering the fire, a ranch hands shouts a warning, sending Mrs. Griswold, her daughter and a suddenly awaken Hoss out to fight it. Joe is left alone in the house (uh oh).

As everyone is fighting the fire, the second rancher/rustler goes into the house. However, just then, Ben arrives (to save the day!). The first rancher/rustler starts shooting at Ben, and Ben yells at Hoss to get to Joe. The second rancher/rustler hears the shots and the shouts, and runs into the bedroom. He picks up a pillow and tries to smother Joe. But Hoss bursts into the room, pulls the bad guy away from Joe, punches the would-be killer, and then throws the second rancher/rustler out the window. Hoss then hurries to Joe. He puts his head on (shirtless) Joe’s chest, trying to see if his brother is still alive.

Outside in the dark, Ben shoots the other rancher/rustler, then hurries into the house. He bursts into the bedroom, worried about what happened to Joe. But Hoss assures Ben that Joe is all right. We get one last look at shirtless Joe.

Time has obviously passed as we then see an at least partially recovered Joe getting settled into the back of a wagon by Hoss. Hoss warns Joe that it will be a rough ride, but Joe assures his brother that he can’t wait to get home (obviously Joe wasn’t too thrilled with Mrs. Griswold’s cooking). Ben emerges from the house with Mrs. Griswold and her daughter. Everyone exchanges thank-yous – Ben for the Griswolds’ care of Joe, Mrs. Griswold for Joe saving their herd from the rustlers, and the daughter for Joe making her some little trinket because of her nursing him (yeah, I’ll bet she nursed him – probably volunteered to give Joe sponge baths). No one bothers to thank Hoss for anything. Everyone says goodbye, and as the Cartwrights depart, we get one last symbolic shot of the wagon wheel.

REVIEWS:

“This is one of my favorite episodes, mainly because we have so many scenes of "shirtless Joe"! But it's also a good mystery, even if all the surreal scenes of Joe's delirious dreams are a bit confusing and repetitive. We also get some good "concern and comfort" scenes with Pa and Hoss as they worry over Joe as well as search for the person who shot him. However, at the risk of repeating myself, I love those "shirtless Joe" scenes, even if they do have those blankets pulled up way too high!” Susan Grote

“Great shirtless and hurt Joe episode. The first time I saw the episode, I thought the delirium scenes were weird. After watching the episode many times after that, I realized what was going on.” Rita

“I definitely remember watching this one the first time it was on and hating it as being weird and "LSD" trippy. I never understood why they showed Hoss shooting at Joe. The more I see it the more I really like it. It was a really good mystery, had great family interaction. It also was one of the few episodes that you really got the feeling of real ranch life in the 19th Century. It also showed the really capable no nonsense ranch wife who seemed very like Carolyn in LHOP. Even the "ditzy" daughter was still pretty capable…bet she did give Joe some fine sponge baths and physical therapy to aid his recuperation.” Robin

“I know that all of us Joe fans were lining up for a chance to take care of Joe in this show. Sweaty and shirtless is the best and only way to have Joe.” Barbara

“With the episode itself, I think they had the opportunity to really expand on a great mystery but it lost its appeal to me with the repetitive wagon wheels, tepee, delirium scenes thing. I think the writer's/directors spent too much time on this when they could have expanded the characters or scenes with perhaps the bad guys or even the Hoss/Joe or Ben/Joe angst scenes. Something uncharacteristic of Ben I though to me was when he left Joe while he was in surgery. That always struck me as odd, because where Joe was hurt so seriously, in most episodes similar to this, you couldn't drag Ben from his youngest son's side. A scene I liked; when Hoss came to Joe's rescue and saved him from the bad guys in the house. Hoss at his best!” Nancy

“I loved it when the Doc puts the cloth to Joe's head and he is breathing heavily and sweating. Please let me do that!!! And the stethoscope on the chest. WOW!!!! I love the scene where they really close in on his face and eyes as he thinks he sees Pa at the end of the bed. His green eyes are so magnificent. SWOON!” Marian

“That's a good ep. :) When I saw it first time I didn't understand about that teepee and the wagon wheel but I soon put the pieces together. Of course it wasn't easy to do because of all those shirtless Joe scenes that distracted me. :D” Karine

“Lots of shirtless Joe, comfort and worry from Ben and the dream sequence where Joe almost leaves Ben during the operation. The only thing I have never figured out from this episode is why Joe kept seeing Hoss draw down on him during the dreams. The rest all made sense by the end, but that part never did.” Leesa

“I did think there was too much reverting back to the teepee and the wagon wheel when we could have been seeing more family interaction. I thought Ben looked old in this one, but worry will do that :) I liked the cast and location and the doctor was very believable as well.” Deb

“I really like the scene where Joe is walking into the darkness and Ben calls him back.” Helen

“I do like the scene when Joe is walking away and Ben asks him to come back, that really gets to me, as it shows how close Joe is to death. The bit where we see Hoss being the one about to shoot Joe really upset me, when I first saw it, and even now, although I understand the significance of it, it still gives me chills.” Lynne (Little Joe forever)

“This is one of my favorites also. I love that last part where Hoss throws the baddie out the window and then rushes to see if Joe is breathing and then Pa comes in looking so scared and Hoss just looks at Joe and nods. Every time I see the ep I volunteer to check on Joe's breathing, but Hoss always ignores me for some reason.” Ginny

“Love the part where Hoss throws the rustler out of the window. I was always concerned that while Hoss was doing that, Joe would have been smothered by the time he got back to him. The pillow was still over his face and the poor baby didn’t have the strength to get out from under it.” Ann

“This is one of those eps that I tend to watch over and over. (Why I wonder!) Consequently you notice little things, like, for example, the pillows. In the scene where LJ is being smothered, the man pulls the pillow out from under Joe's head. When Hoss finally gets back to him there's a pillow back under his head. I wonder if Joe was well enough to get up and get his pillow back?” Pat

“I always like an occasional change of pace, and this episode carries it off very well. Joe's mumblings and dreams tell us that he does not know, or at least remember, why he was shot and it's interesting how the Ben in Joe's delirium tells - almost commands - Joe to figure it out. I like the way the story has Ben and Hoss working to solve the mystery in parallel with Joe's efforts to do the same in his dreams as he (and we) struggles to make sense of the images. These two threads meet when Joe finally understands the significance of the teepee and wagon wheels and manages to communicate those words; it's not much, but enough to enable Ben to subsequently solve the mystery. There are many other things I like about this episode. The characters, for example, are realistic, and for me it always makes an episode more authentic when all the exteriors are shot on location like in this one. And one scene that stuck with me for many years was that powerful - and frightening - scene where Joe slowly walks away from Ben and melds into the darkness.” Sue W.