A dissenting view from all the pans of this heartwarming movie. No TV series understands animal lovers like Bonanza. And every time the issue is raised the power of family is tied in. Thank goodness for the Golden Age of Television, so this story doesn't get bogged down in Soap Opera. Eddie Hodges is brilliant as the lonely child, who's got a pair of messed up parents. Buck Sexton gives the performance of a lifetime. An intriguing theme exists in a number of these episodes. The series shows the way one treats animals ties into how a person relates to fellow humans. It's a shame Pernell Roberts left. He was never involved in a series of this quality again. It's remarkable how the show kept going with the cast changes.
4 Reviews
A love of 'critters'
bkoganbing11 November 2015
Sad to say this Bonanza episode had a great deal of potential. But because Bonanza was a family oriented show Jacqueline Scott's character of a quite loose woman was left vague as to how she supported herself and her son Eddie Hodges. Like Vivien Leigh she gets by on the kindness of strangers, that she's prostituting herself can't be mentioned on TV in 1965.
As for her son Hodges has a love and a way with 'critters' that was only seen on The Beverly Hillbillies and Elly Mae Clampett. When Dan Blocker takes him in after Hodges is injured freeing animals from the trapper stepfather Douglas Kennedy he has he's got nowhere to go because he interferes with mom's affairs.
In the end Hodges proves invaluable to saving a Cartwright colt to veterinarian Karl Swenson one of Scott's male friends. What goes on with the two of them is hard to believe though.
Too many problems with the censors of the times prevent this episode from being viable.
As for her son Hodges has a love and a way with 'critters' that was only seen on The Beverly Hillbillies and Elly Mae Clampett. When Dan Blocker takes him in after Hodges is injured freeing animals from the trapper stepfather Douglas Kennedy he has he's got nowhere to go because he interferes with mom's affairs.
In the end Hodges proves invaluable to saving a Cartwright colt to veterinarian Karl Swenson one of Scott's male friends. What goes on with the two of them is hard to believe though.
Too many problems with the censors of the times prevent this episode from being viable.
Too many holes in the story.
kfo949412 November 2015
Really cannot say much more that what the other reviewer put into words since I agree that the show has so much potential that was unused or could not be used. What is left is a script that had so many holes that the story felt inadequate.
It begins with a red headed adolescent boy named Skeeter seems to have a way with animals making him an near 'Animal Whisperer'. But the boy's family life is in shambles. His mother is hinted through the story as being a prostitute and his step-father is a drunken coot that wants to beat the tar out of the kid.
After the boy gets hurt, the step-father has had enough and leaves town. And the mother has taken a liking to the local vet. In the meantime, Skeeter is staying with Hoss at the Ponderosa and takes a shine to a mare that is to have a colt. And since the script is so loose on facts, that is about all to the episode. The story ends with the colt being brought back to life and son, mother and animal doctor going to town to eat breakfast.
Know that it has already been said - but this story has so much untapped potential. What we are left with is a story that made little sense. Could have been so much better.
It begins with a red headed adolescent boy named Skeeter seems to have a way with animals making him an near 'Animal Whisperer'. But the boy's family life is in shambles. His mother is hinted through the story as being a prostitute and his step-father is a drunken coot that wants to beat the tar out of the kid.
After the boy gets hurt, the step-father has had enough and leaves town. And the mother has taken a liking to the local vet. In the meantime, Skeeter is staying with Hoss at the Ponderosa and takes a shine to a mare that is to have a colt. And since the script is so loose on facts, that is about all to the episode. The story ends with the colt being brought back to life and son, mother and animal doctor going to town to eat breakfast.
Know that it has already been said - but this story has so much untapped potential. What we are left with is a story that made little sense. Could have been so much better.
Skeeter needed his hide tanned
natew7321 May 2022
I don't blame his step-dad for running out on him. Skeeter is one of the worst & most annoying characters. Doesn't listen to a word, has to do things his way. Just a bullheaded kid that needed his hide tanned on a regular basis.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
