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Ponderosa

2001
Ponderosa

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Pilot (1) Sep 09, 2001

Bonanza is back in the guise of ""Ponderosa"". This episode is very good, telling the back story of what went on as Ben Cartwright got the deed to the Lake Tahoe property. Unfortunately, someone else also wants the property, so he can strip-mine it and turn the land into a waste-land. Ben's wife and Little Joe's mother is killed when the store in which Ben is working in at the time is blown up by the miner, the one who takes her death the worse is Little Joe. Shortly after this (and because of it) Ben is awarded the property. All seems to be said and done, but as Ben and the boys are building the house, in the middle of the night the miner sneaks onto the property and pours kerosene all over the house and ignites it. Little Joe takes Ben's gun and goes hunting down the miner, not realizing the new trouble he could be causing because of it. Meanwhile, two other characters come into play. The first is Carlos (Fernando Carrillo), a Mexican Soldier who returns to the town after being in the

EP2 Pilot (2) Sep 09, 2001

Bonanza is back in the guize of ""Ponderosa"". This episode is very good, telling the back story of what went on as Ben Cartwright got the deed to the Lake Tahoe property. Unfortunately, someone else also wants the property, so he can strip-mine it and turn the land into a waste-land. Ben's wife and Little Joe's mother is killed when the store in which Ben is working in at the time is blown up by the miner, the one who takes her death the worse is Little Joe. Shortly after this (and because of it) Ben is awarded the property. All seems to be said and done, but as Ben and the boys are building the house, in the middle of the night the miner sneaks onto the property and pours kerosene all over the house and ignites it. Little Joe takes Ben's gun and goes hunting down the miner, not realizing the new trouble he could be causing because of it. Meanwhile, two other characters come into play. The first is Carlos (Fernando Carrillo), a Mexican Soldier who returns to the town after being in the

EP3 Joaquin Sep 16, 2001

While selling some cattle to a fellow rancher, Adam and Little Joe witness an amazing sight, a Mexican walks up to the rancher and shoots him at point blank range . . . the rancher gets up and brushes himself off. It seems as if they were testing out a bullet proof vest. Later, in town. We find Hauss staring at a Wanted Poster for a bandit named Joaquin with a very high price on his head. The same bandit who was at the ranch comes behind him, razzes Hauss about if they'll catch the bandit or not and walks away. It is now breakfast-time the next day, Carlos comes riding up with someone strapped to his horse. It was the same man that Joe and Adam saw at the ranch, and Hauss saw in town, after being patched up by Shelby (Nicki Wendt), he identifies himself as Joaquin. He also explains that he is wanted for murder in towns several hundred miles apart . . . and they were committed on the same day. As he recovers, he gives Adam a birthday wish that Ben couldn't, the oppurtunity to handle a g

EP4 Bare Knuckles Sep 23, 2001

Going against Ben's explicit wishes, Hauss goes up against a bare-knuckles fighter named Iron Hands Malloy (Joseph Clements). Hauss thinks he's developed a new and surprising punch that will knock the fighter off his feet. He does so -- in a test bout, whic was a means to peak everybody's interest in the fight. As things progress, Adam does some research, only to discover that the fighter went under several other names and was expelled from the official circuit for using several cheating methods, one of which is holding a rock in his hand and pounding on his opponent if his opponent gets too close to winning, and as Hauss begins to win against Iron Hands . . ..

EP5 Promise Sep 30, 2001

Adam kills a robber, and he promises the dying man that he will take care of his children and widow. Also, a man comes to town claiming that he's the great grandson of George Washington's personal slave.

EP6 Homeland Oct 14, 2001

Carlos is overjoyed and Ben and his sons are amazed when Carlos beautiful and spirited eighteen-year-old sister, Isabella, appears at what until recently had been the Rivera family's ranch. Carlos had presumed she'd died in a fire in Mexico. Isabella is overjoyed at being reunited with the brother she'd feared had died in the Mexican-American war, but she's also heartbroken to learn that her former home has been sold to Margaret Davis as a war reparation. Since she's now homeless, Ben takes Isabella into the already-crowded Ponderosa, but events take a dismaying turn when a sheriff from Texas arrives in town on the trail of a ""killer"" and discovers that Isabella rode in on the murdered victim's horse. The sheriff threatens to arrest Isabella, but Ben takes responsibility for her custody, offering to stand trial for whatever crime, if any, the sheriff decides to try her for if she flees. Fearful for Isabella's life, Isabella and Carlos do flee, but when they learn what Ben has done, the

EP7 Quarantine Oct 28, 2001

When the town is quarantined because of an illness for which the townspeople blame the Cartwrights, vigilantes set out to destroy their home.

EP8 Secrets and Lies Nov 04, 2001

A man comes to Eagle Station wanting Adam, to write about the 'true story' of the Donner Party. But the meeting causes Ben to reflect on a bad experience from his own past.

EP9 The Legend of John Riley Nov 18, 2001

A man hunted for being a U.S. deserter who fought for Mexico comes to stay at the Ponderosa, causing a rift between Hoss (Drew Powell) and Tess (Sara Gleeson), whose father died in the war against Mexico.

EP10 Brother vs Brother Dec 02, 2001

Romantic woes are caused by a ""Ladies Choice"" dance: Margaret and Shelby learn that they both want to be escorted by Ben, and Tess settles for Hoss when Isabella asks Adam.

EP11 Where the Heart Is Dec 16, 2001

Marie's sister comes to the Ponderosa, but she doesn't get along well with the townspeople and she wants to take Little Joe back to New Orleans.

EP12 Treasure Jan 06, 2002

Adam, Hoss and Carlos discover a treasure map clutched in a dead man's hand and set out to claim the gold they think it leads to, unaware they are being followed.

EP13 Spoils of War Jan 13, 2002

Manuel, a man who once saved Carlos's life, unexpectedly arrives in town. Manuel is disturbed to see Carlos working for the people he believes stole the de Rivera ranch, so he devises a plan to get the land back, starting with Margaret and her spread.

EP14 A Time to Win Jan 20, 2002

Ben is distrustful of a stranger who comes to Eagle Station, builds a hotel and talks about his vision to expand the young town and put it on the stagecoach route.

EP15 Blind Faith Feb 10, 2002

Hoss falls for a the daughter of a reverend who claims that he can perform miracles.

EP16 Lesser of Evils Feb 17, 2002

Isabella receives a letter from her childhood love whom she thought had died in the war. She's torn between her old love and Adam, who is determined not to lose her.

EP17 Comes a Horse Mar 24, 2002

An epidemic strikes the town's cattle with Margaret suffering the most losses, and everyone wants to destroy the herds and sell the ranches to Jack.

EP18 Grown Ups Apr 28, 2002

When an abandonded baby is found, Hoss and Tess consider marrying and adopting the child.

EP19 Samson and Hercules May 05, 2002

Hoss is angered when he learns that Jack is staging wolf fights in town, and he vows to rescue the animals.

EP20 Fugitive May 12, 2002

Samuel returns after being let go from the city newspaper due to his race. The Cartwrights convience Samuel to open a newspaper in Eagle Station. A new law is inacted which makes runaway slaves even in free states to have a price on their heads which puts Samuel in jeopardy.
5.9| 0h30m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 09 September 2001 Ended
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Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX-TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season. Envisioned as a prequel to the long-running NBC series Bonanza, it had less gunfire, brawling and other traditional western elements than the original. Bonanza creator David Dortort approved PAX TV's decision to hire Beth Sullivan, creator and executive producer of Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman to oversee scripts and executive produce, which some believe gave the series a softer edge. Ponderosa was canceled after one season, in part because of disappointing ratings and high production costs. Although Sullivan had hoped to film the series in and around Los Angeles, PAX decided to film in Australia to reduce costs. Series "show runner" Sullivan sustained severe injuries in a car crash only twelve days after the airing of the first season's last episode. The show should not be confused with Ponderosa, the title used for Bonanza reruns aired on NBC during the summer of 1972.

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Reviews

kpavlish I have been a fan of Bonanza most of my life. When I first heard about a new television show that would take us back to the beginnings of the Ponderosa, I couldn't wait to see it. I was not disappointed. The Ponderosa instantly became my favorite show on Television. I planned my Sunday nights around the airing of the show. In a time when so much of what we see on television centers around sex and/or finding new ways to degrade our fellow human beings, The Ponderosa showed us what television was meant to be as a medium of entertainment. Respect, honestly, hard work, responsibility, concern for our neighbors, doing what's right, solid moral values...how often are these values at the core of the plot of a television show? I was so impressed with the writing of the show and the talent of the actors. I applaud the way in which actors portraying the Cartrights were able to transcend their characters back to the beginning of the Ponderosa. I have been around ranching all of my life and I have dreamed of being able to raise my children on one....even if it means having to struggle. This type of environment allows you a greater chance to teach your children responsibility and show them that hard work has it's rewards and even if we aren't always successful, we are better people because of it. My dream of a ranch of my own will probably never become a reality. However, The Ponderosa gives me a medium to show my 2 young children about how we should live our lives...how we can become a positive influence to those around us. It's rare that television today can help reinforce the values that we want our children to learn and grasp as their own. I grew up with The Waltons, Little House On The Prairie and so many other television shows that you could watch as a family and not be embarrassed or disgusted to see. They made you feel good and maybe brought us closer together. The Ponderosa gave me that same feeling. It was like seeing an old friend. When I saw that the show was not on any of the program schedules for this fall, it felt that I had lost that old friend again. I dearly hope that we will see a 2nd season of The Ponderosa. This is exactly what American television needs.
hot4dhk The Ponderosa brought the whole family around the T.V. together. Each age group had their own character that they liked and the story-lines were great...with good family values. It's so hard to find that now-a-days!I, personally enjoyed all the original characters and towns-people very much. The show brought out several emotions and always left me feeling good.We miss it so much and wait for it's much needed return!The acting was excellent...whoever cast it was a genious!
LUVB The Ponderosa is a statement about a way of life - the Cartwright way. At the center is family. This the binding force that gives Ben and his three sons the courage to overcome loss, oppose discrimination against others, and to always strive to act in a manner that is just and ethical.Cartwright values are priceless, especially in our modern world. With its dedicated fan base, the Ponderosa is an asset to any television network. But, more importantly, the Cartwright legacy will make its television network an asset to the world.
kabwest 1. The best response ever to a boy asking if he HAS to get a haircut. (If I ever am blessed with a son, I hope that I can deliver that line as well.) 2. Reminding me that it is fun to splash and throw water at each other when doing chores. (hum..I wonder if I'll get any help next time I wash my car?) 3. Watching father and sons smile at each other..different times and different reasons, but wonderful. 4. Educating me. I've always been interested in history and read a lot, but I never knew that the Burr / Hamilton duel took place in Weehawken. (and I'm a jersey girl) 5. Telling stories with appreciation of our history and diversity. 6. A feather for a shirt IS a great trade. (tour some of the history museums in the mid-west and west..you'll see) 7. Reminding me about the kind of person I hope to be..I don't want to be a bare knuckles fighter, but I hope I always stand up for what I believe in..I may not pull a beard off an imposter, but I hope to see through to the truth in situations. 8. For doing the service announcement after 9/11. It was very comforting in a tough time. 9. For making me what to slow down for an hour to watch a great show.