Bonanza (TV Series) The Honor of Cochise (1961) User Reviews

War Crime

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 18 April 2020]

What DeForest Kelley did to warrant the Apaches coming after him all the way to Nevada we'd call a war crime. during an alleged peace parley Kelley poisoned he food and drink and killed men, women, and children. Led by Cochise theyve chased him to the borders of the Ponderosa where Kelley seeks refuge with the Cartwrights before they find out what he's done.

This episode belongs to Lorne Greene as he seeks a truce so that a wounded Pernell Roberts cawn get aid. He promises to see that Kelley is brought to justice. Will Cochise believe him?

Jeff Morrow plays Cochise and he pretty much follows in the footsteps of Jeff Chandler as the stoic and wise warrior chief.

It's a good episode with kudos to Jeff Morrow.

"What Is The Law?" - Island of Dr. Moreau

[richard.fuller1 · 9/10 · 22 December 2012]

Oddly strange mix of characters and as usual, the minor characters give the biggest hint of what is going on. In this case, Stacy Harris as Col. Clinton Wilcox, Bing Russell as Major Reynolds and Al Ruscio as Delgado. Let's focus on these characters.

The episode is most noted today because of Deforest Kelley's crazy army figure who slaughtered Indian men, women and children. Haus takes a crack at tackling his following orders idea. In truth, I saw nothing different here with Kelley that he didn't do on Star Trek.

But it is Ben Cartwright who caused me to watch this episode. I think this is something that has always been touched on in shows and movies with other cultures like this. You have your rules and we have ours, but we have to do things according to your rules? Strangely enough, I used to see this to its most annoying on Star Trek: Next Generation.

What if Marshall Matt Dillon was ever stopped by Indians in his pursuit of an apache and they said their rules and their laws would decide the man's fate? What if native Americans burst into the courtroom with Perry Mason after he had reached his verdict and said, no, we will decide the outcome of this court.

I think this is what is most annoying about many of these shows, even with bleeding heart ideas such as Ben was spouting here, it still MUST be according to the white man's law.

When Cochise shoots another Indian who is about to shoot Ben in the back, it changes nothing. It MUST be according to the white man's law.

Ben should have handed Kelley over to Cochise right then and there. Cochise had killed one of his own to save Ben, that showed the truth of Chochise' intentions.

"Haus, Joe, you'll never sleep at night, . . . " Where was all this conscience coming from? Then Ben reaches the camp to get help from Wilcox and Reynolds. When Wilcox said Cochise had probably already murdered his sons, Ben should have walked out right then and there and handed over Kelley to Cochise. There was the 'law' Ben was wanting to uphold, in Wilcox' words, so Cochise had twice showed his honor to Ben; in shooting Delgado and then in Wilcox' disregard to Cochise over the lives of Ben's sons.

Unfortunately, I missed the ending of the episode, but I gather Kelley got his poetic justice.

But there are stronger messages in this episode.

The Honor of Cochise

[jeremylr · 10/10 · 26 May 2009]

This episode aired early in October 1961, the 3rd episode of the 3rd season. The Cartwrights run into a soldier (DeForest Kelly) on the run from a band of Indians led by Cochise (Jeff Morrow).

A note: By the start of the 3rd season, the Cartwrights had settled into their customary uniforms they wore throughout the duration of the series. Look for Bing Russell as a cavalryman who tries to defeat Cochise. Very shortly after this episode he assumed the role of Deputy Clem, which he kept until the show concluded in 1973.

This episode is particularly outstanding due to the performance of DeForest Kelly. You can see the sweat, grime, dirt, fear, evil, confusion, & stubbornness of his character as he defends his actions. It's a performance that deserves repeat viewings. When he keeps repeating "But I was only following orders" you kinda feel a little sympathy for him.

Jeff Morrow, who made a lot of westerns in the 1950s, brings a quiet dignity & honor in his portrayal of Cochise. Even though he's not an Indian, his performance works.

Finally, this episode deals with history in that the U.S. Cavalry sometimes had to use any means necessary in their battles with the American Indians. This episode also makes the viewer think about what is wrong & right during war. I wholly recommend it.

Bonanza: The Honor of Cochise (#3.3)(1961)

[Kitty-73 · 27 January 2012]

This episode just ran on channel 52, and while I do like all of the Cartwrights, I watched because DeForest Kelley was featured in this episode. His performance was well worth watching, and as mentioned in the previous review, and I ,too, felt sorry for him at the end of the episode.

Usually, members of the US Cavalry were portrayed as brave and noble men. It was interesting to see a more realistic approach ; showing that sometimes, soldiers interpret their orders as they see fit and not as their superiors intended them. Also interesting to see Cochise being shown as an honorable man of his word. Not as the usual stereotypical good soldier and bad Indian.

While most of us will remember DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy, it is a treat to see him act in non-Star Trek television shows and movies - he really was a good actor! I met DeForest Kelley years ago, and he was very much the gentleman.

Only Following Orders?

[pawprint-25434 · 10 October 2017]

At least one person said that D. Kelley's repeating "But I was only following orders!" evoked a bit of sympathy. Personally, I was reminded of the Nazi war criminals who fell back on that excuse. Since the episode was written in the early 1960's when WW2 and it's aftermath would have been fresher in people's minds, I suspect the writers intended that.

Another reviewer made a good point that the whole "It must be according to White Man's Law!" attitude may not be so noble as the characters (and writers?) seemed to think.

One question: does anyone know what "the white man's poison that makes the dead smile" actually was?