Bonanza (TV Series) Clarissa (1967) User Reviews

To the manor born

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 13 July 2016]

Nina Foch guest stars in this Bonanza story concerning Ben Cartwright's cousin Clarissa in for a visit to the Ponderosa. We find out that she travels to a lot of relatives, but never stays all that long.

We soon find out why, she's both a Philadelphia born snob who wants to bring some of eastern civilization's comforts to the Ponderosa. She gets on Hop Sing's bad side because she won't stay out of his kitchen.

But she sticks her two cents everywhere. She runs up big bills on Lorne Greene's dime at Robert Foulk's dry goods store, interfere's Roy Teal's re-election campaign for sheriff and decides to redecorate the Ponderosa bunkhouse. Worst of all she busts up a friendship between Lorne Greene and banker Roy Roberts while Greene is negotiating a serious business loan.

There's comedy here, but the episode also is about the role of women in the 19th century who were supposed to mind the home and raise the kids. All Foch wants to do is feel useful.

Nina Foch is charming all the time even in her interfering. She shines in this Bonanza episode.

Come to think of it maybe Dan Blocker should have gone on a diet as she suggests.

Yet another self righteous female from "back east"

[Thomas001 · 3/10 · 12 September 2017]

The Panderosa ranch is being bombarded by too many arrogant females from "back east". Few shows ago it was "Four ladies from Boston" giving lectures to the locals, then just couple days ago "The wormwood cup" was about a teacher (from "back east", of course) setting up $1000 reward to kill little Joe (curious thing for a teacher from the civilized east to do), and now this Clarissa from .... where else but "back east"? But I enjoyed the one line where Clarissa was informed that she has way too many return addresses.

Bossy Bossy Bossy

[billbothers · 3/10 · 9 March 2018]

"The episode also is about the role of women in the 19th century who were supposed to mind the home and raise the kids. All Foch wants to do is feel useful.

That's a 21st century PC stretch. She is bossy, selfish, snob. Heck, she even antagonized Hop Sing! NO doubt why, she didn't stay with other relatives long.

This was an aggravating episode to watch, as she sabotages the Ponderosa with her self centered meddling.

Most irritating episode

[jilljohnson-80359 · 4/10 · 15 April 2024]

Usually Nina foch rates higher on my scale. Meddlesome, manipulating and insufferable. Sticking her nose in and up at everybody and everything. Her attitude towards hop sing was what did it for me (that pretty much goes for anyone for that matter) don't mess with the man's kitchen it truly was his domain. Perhaps she meant well? She wanted to be useful?. It is is true she put such a rift between everybody! Bens friends, his employees, his sons. That b.... couldn't say anything g to anyone without being insulting. Back east snobbishness. Yes, her high handedness disrupted the peaceful ponderosa. Chaos is what she was about and I agree it was difficult to watch. Not my favorite.