Bonanza (TV Series) Gift of Water (1962) User Reviews

Connections

[shinopanixcom · 8/10 · 18 February 2020]

Summary: Hoss and Adam find themselves drilling engineers as they develop the world's first rotary drilling rig, predating M.C. and C.E. Baker's 1882 rig in South Dakota.

As noted by other reviewers, the episode is notable for the pairing of Majel Barrett and James Doohan. Barrett in particular is memorable channeling Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother" 3 years prior to the first Star Trek pilot "The Cage" in 1965.

Notable too is the teleplay by Borden Chase, who earlier immortalized another desperate drive in "Red River" (1948)."

"The Gift of Water" a great gift for StarTrek Original Series Fans

[commandamanda · 22 April 2006]

You'd be remiss if you're a Star Trek OS fan and haven't seen this episode! I just saw it due to a TVLand Special, and it was delightful. The first surprise is guest star Majel Roddenberry! She's tough to pick out at first, but the moment she speaks her first line, you'll know it's her. Sporting a tan and light brown hair, she looks quite different from "Number One" and "Nurse Chapel". As the steadfast wife of a lowland rancher she's prettier than ever, in a plains woman-like way. The plot centers around the need for water- ranchers in the lowlands were suffering from a drought, and sought to settle the highlands (of which Ponderosa is a part). Hoss heard the plight of one of the ranchers and got the idea to help the rancher and his family to drill for the well instead of digging it. While drilling, more of the lowland ranchers passed through - and this is the second surprise - one of them is Jimmy Doohan! His accent was undefinable - at times it was semi-Scottish, and other times, just plainly clear-speak. He's robust, though, and seeing him on horseback is a wonder to behold. Despite the grim plot line, plenty of comedy is added to this tale - enough to make me laugh out loud, including some of that Hoss/Little Joe horsing around stuff. Jovial as it was- the plot did carry a moral. "Help thy neighbor" was the gist, and it was well demonstrated. A choice episode all around.

Coincidental presence

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 10 March 2017]

The coincidental presence of Star Trek prime regulars James Doohan and Majel Barrett are an interesting side note to this Bonanza story about some homesteaders looking for water and the local cattlemen not sharing their's.

Barrett is the wife of homesteader Royal Dano who has been persuaded by the Cartwright sons to dig for some underground sources of water. All three of the boys work hard at getting that underground water to the surface.

In the meantime a nice little range war is threatening to break out instigated by Paul Birch and Harry Lauter with the cattlemen. James Doohan is one of the other homesteaders.

A little hard work, a little faith, and some different ideas and it's mission accomplished by the Cartwrights.

Star Trek connection is about the only thing interesting

[uber_geek · 2/10 · 27 August 2011]

About the only interesting thing about this episode is that Majel Barrett and James Doohan are both in it, although Doohan doesn't have much of a part. Majel Barrett looks much better in her natural hair color, without her bleached-blonde Star Trek do.

There's a drought on and families in the flat lands are getting ready to move off to greener pastures, except one landowner who refuses to leave and is determined that a water spring is just below the surface. The Cartwrights help the owner's family. For some reason that makes no realistic sense, several men, landowners in the higher lands form a vigilante group to stop any families attempting to move through to more fertile ground. And yeah, that's about it.

The *spunky* little girl (an obvious precursor to the smart-mouth sitcom kids), daughter to the family they're helping, was the most annoying.