EPISODE: Queen High

Reviewed by Heidi (Netherlands)

Number # 314., Season 10, Date of broadcast: December 1, 1968
 
Guest stars: Celeste Yarnell, Paul Lambert, Sandor Szabo, Dabney Coleman, Ken Drake, Edward Schaaf

Written by: Michael Fessier
Directed by: Leon Benson

SUMMARY:

The episode starts with a poker game which involves Candy and Joe. When the game is over, they have won a stamp mill. But they only own part of it. Joe asks if Candy has any knowledge of how a stamp mill works. Candy is just very pleased that he has won. Joe reacts with that he hopes he will wake up the next morning and that it is only a bad dream.

On the way home, they look at their mill. It turns out to be a wreck. Candy is wildly enthusiastic but Joe clearly is not. Then shots are heard and the boys ride to interfere. They dismount and run while shooting toward the mill, scaring off the shooters. The man running the mill is called Ludwig and he brings them up to date. Renfro is trying take over the mill. Ludwig gives them a big shopping list of things needed to fix the mill. Candy reacts with that they need a hardware store.

In town, Joe sees a blonde lady being bothered by two cowboys. Joe and Candy interfere again. They hit the cowboys down and get aquatinted with the lady. Then the cowboys get up and attack Joe and Candy again. Joe gets smashed into the alley while Candy gets thrown into the water trough. Joe finds this very hilarious. Candy comes out of the water and offers to carry the lady’s luggage. When she mentions her name is Katie, Joe and Candy discover that she is their partner.

At the ranch, Ben hears that the three of them have a stamp mill, even though they have never seen a stamp mill before. Hoss comes in with coffee but Ben reacts with that he might need something stronger. Ben can’t believe that the boys can fight the competition. Then there is a knock at the door. Miles Renfro comes in and says that Joe and Candy are two good poker players. Candy corrects him that he is a good poker player. Candy gets an offer from Renfro that is three times as high as the stake at the poker game. But they are not interested. Katie accuses Renfro of the accidents which happened to her father’s foreman. Of course Renfro denies that but both Ben and Hoss suspect trouble. After the departure of Renfro, Joe, Candy and Katie leave too, whereafter Hoss gives Ben his so badly needed brandy.

Joe and Candy give a dinner party with other mine owners. They are users of Renfro’s mill. The owners want to see Joe and Candy’s mill running before they sign on. They boys are enthusiastic until they get the bill of $54.00.  Being frustrated by the bill, Joe takes another sip of the champagne bottle.

Joe is shaving at the hotel. Candy is in a jolly mood and getting ready for his date with Katie. Joe is jealous and tries to prevent Candy from going. Candy is shrewd, though, and he locks Joe up in the room and leaves. Joe reacts too late and pulls off the doorknob. Some time later, when Candy and Katie are riding in a carriage, Joe follows them on Cochise. Joe takes Candy aside to discuss something in private. Joe confesses that he had taken the door knob off and knocks a laughing Candy down. Then Joe leaves with Katie.

Hoss stops by when Joe and Candy are working. Joe says that everything is going fine. His brother spoils it by saying that in, Virginia City, bets are going on about their mill. Ludwig says that they must get on working.

Candy sits in the bath singing about Katie when Joe suddenly comes into the bathroom and confronts him with the fact that he left work early. Candy answers that he is going out with Katie. This time Joe locks him up in the bathroom. On his way out, Joe throws Candy’s clothes out of the window. Joe promises Katie the most beautiful trip to San Francisco.

During work day, Joe says that he must quit earlier. In the hotel room, Joe hears a knock at the door. Candy locks him in this time and takes Katie along for a ride. He also promises her the most beautiful trip but to Denver.

Renfro says that Joe and Candy’s mill must not go open and takes care that there will be an explosion at the mill. Ludwig gets hurt. But the boys continue to work anyway. They find a wheel that is needed for the mill is broken.

Joe says that he only knows one man who can make such a wheel – Ben. Ben and Hoss help Joe and Candy make the wheel. Renfro is furious and resolves himself that the mill may never be open for business.

Katie meets a new man called Ivar Peterson. He tries to seduce her and he succeeds.

When the Cartwrights have made the wheel, Renfro and his men come in. Renfro gives orders to break the wheel. Ben knocks him down and the boys take on the others. Ben sends Renfro and his men away. Then they finish making a new wheel.

When Joe and Candy come to Katie to tell her the mill is ready to go, Katie has a surprise for them. Her new lover Ivar Peterson has bought her share and tells them that he wants to buy theirs too. Katie tells them in private that she married Peterson and will move to Sacramento. Joe and Candy sell their share to Peterson. Looking out of the window, Candy and Joe see two cowboys arguing over a lady and they decided to defend her. But Joe is ahead of Candy. He locks Candy up with Katie and Peterson and he goes after the lady. Candy doesn’t like it, of course.

REVIEW:

“Of course, it's no surprise to anyone that my favorite scenes in this episode involve "shirtless Joe". We get a nice glimpse of "shirtless Joe" when he and Candy are sawing the log, but an even better, longer view when Joe, Candy, Ben and Hoss are in the foundry making the new wheel. Joe's all sweaty, and a bit dirty, and of course, shirtless....ahhhhhh! Where was I? Oh yes, the rest of this episode is pretty light-hearted as Joe and Candy fight over the girl while they are also fighting against Renfro. How Katie could turn down Joe for that Ivar guy is beyond me.” Susan Grote

“I love all the teasing that goes on between Candy and Joe, as they fight over the girl, but have to agree, the shirtless scenes are great. Both Candy and Joe had beefed up a bit, I thought, and the sight was pretty spectacular. Love it that Pa comes to the rescue and helps them make a new part for the mill. At the beginning, he is rather incredulous over their naivety, but being the great Pa that he is, he's quick to help them. I think they made a good decision when they sold on the mill, though, it wasn't really for them.” Little Joe forever Lynne

“I have to say my favorite part of this episode is the banter between Candy and Joe. You know it wasn't easy to come in and fill the space of PR. Candy would never do that but in this episode you get to see some of the playfulness, fun and cleverness of the Candy character. Oh and let's face it, there are just some things a friend can do that a brother can't.” Nancy

“I'm not a particular aficionado of shirtless Joe scenes (shock!), but even I appreciate the 'scenery' in the foundry. Nice. I enjoy the amusing dialogue between the characters in this episode, particularly Joe and Candy. One favorite exchange comes near the end when one of the mine owners comments that our guys make better cattlemen than mill operators - Joe says something like "I seem to remember someone else saying that." Candy answers, "Ben Cartwright?" Joe: "Nice man." I love the quick delivery of those lines. And how interesting (and convenient) to learn that the ever-talented Ben Cartwright knows something about casting iron.” Sue W.