
Badge Without Honor Full Episode – Bonanza, Season #02, Episode #03
Bonanza is one of the longest-running primetime Western dramas loved by many Americans during its time. The adventures of the Cartwright family as they live on the fictional Ponderosa ranch continue for 14 seasons. John Twist wrote Badge Without Honor, the second season’s third episode, which debuted on television on September 24, 1960.
Gerald Eskith (Dan Duryea) poses as a federal marshal as he arrives in Virginia City with a subpoena for Jason Blaine (Fred Beir). According to Eskith, Jason must travel with him to San Francisco to testify in the infamous Murdock gang trial. Suspicious of the alleged lawman, Adam Cartwright insists on traveling with the two men on their journey even though he owes Eskith his life.
Read the plotline, including some interesting trivia, or watch the episode below.
Watch the Full Episode of Badge Without Honor
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Main Cast
Aside from Bonanza’s leading actors, the second season’s third episode, Badge Without Honor, also featured some of the program’s recurring and supporting cast members. The cast includes the following:
- Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
- Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
- Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
- Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
- Dan Duryea as U.S. Dep. Marshal Gerald Eskith
- Fred Beir as Jason Blaine
- Christine White as Mariette Blaine
- Wendell Holmes as Judge Rand
- Richard Warren as Gideon Clevenger
- James Hong as Number One, Hop Sing’s Cousin
- Rod McGaughy as Clevenger Ranch Hand (uncredited)
- Bob Miles as Bill Clevenger (uncredited)
- Cosmo Sardo as Bartender (uncredited)
- Jack Tornek as Scared Townsman on Horse (uncredited)
Full Story Line for Badge Without Honor
Gerald Eskith, a U.S. deputy marshal, traveling to Virginia City, saves Adam Cartwright from an ambush. He claims that the Clevenger brothers are wanted in California for bank robbery—that killing the older brother was only part of him performing his official duty.
Ben welcomes Eskith at the Ponderosa and expresses his gratitude for saving Adam. As Hoss and Joe accompany Eskith inside their home, Ben asks Adam if there’s anything he wants to tell him. Adam believes that even though those were the roughest bunch of renegades, it’s unlikely for them to take a shot at him. Ben thinks it’s best not to underestimate them since they lost someone, and Adam even has the ranch payroll with him. Adam thinks they thought of him as someone else, but Ben reminds him that the marshal has a warrant for them. However, Adam is unconvinced, seeing Eskith wasn’t even a little upset about it.
Inside, Eskith notices the fencing sword on the house. Little Joe and Hoss show their fencing skill to their guest. Although Joe’s skill is admirable, Eskith thinks his technique is not entirely flawless, then demonstrates how to do it through a fight. Eskith wins, but Little Joe comments on how his last strike could have been fatal.
Eskith asks the Cartwrights if they know Jason Blaine. Ben says they know him very well, including his wife, which Jason married about a year ago. Eskith finds it fascinating how Jason married someone.
At dinner, the Cartwrights enjoy the stories shared by Eskith. Eskith expressed his regret upon meeting Adam under unpleasant circumstances but thanked him for being able to meet wonderful friends in the Cartwrights.
The following day, Ben and Adam accompany Eskith to town to meet Jason Blaine. As Eskith goes to Jason’s house, Ben and Adam go to do their tasks in town.
Eskith prepares his gun before knocking at Blaine’s door. Jason’s wife, Mariette, opens the door as Eskith acts like he is leaving. Eskith introduced himself as Jason’s old friend. He then comments on Jason’s mineralogy, stating he found a true jewel in his wife. Mariette invites him inside as they wait for Jason.
Adam stumbles upon Jason and then asks if he has met his old friend. Jason wonders which friend Adam refers to, then his expression darkens upon hearing Eskith’s name.
Back at the Blaines’ house, Eskith and Mariette converse about the couple’s jewelry. Eskith was putting a lovely pearl necklace on Mariette when Jason arrived. Eskith brings up the Sacramento case, where Jason was the chief prosecution witness. When Mariette asks if it’s a private matter between the two, Eskith states that his business is a public matter as a law enforcement officer, subtly implying that she should hear about it too. Mariette excuses herself to make some tea. Eskith asks Jason if Mariette knows about it, but Jason can’t do so since she’s almost part of the Cartwright family. Mariette comes back and asks Jason what’s the matter. Jason assures her it’s nothing. Eskith tells her that Jason’s testimony will be against the most dangerous forces in Northern California, but she doesn’t have to worry since he’ll have Jason in protective custody. He also tells the Blaines they’ll leave tomorrow at noon.
When Eskith left, Jason felt regret about trying to run away. He thought he had the right to be happy with Mariette but running away only worsened things. Jason decides to leave with Eskith, even with the danger it’ll bring.
At the hotel, Adam tells Ben about Jason’s worried expression upon hearing about Eskith. He wonders if Eskith arrived in town as Jason’s friend or on official duty. Ben thinks Jason’s been a good man since his arrival. Adam suggests they talk to Jason and Mariette to check if everything’s well.
Jason was looking through a bunch of paperwork when Eskith arrived, asking if he was going somewhere. Jason argues that he was young back then. Eskith searched for him in various places, only to discover that Jason had changed his name several times. He also mentioned going to the judge to present his credentials regarding the Clevenger brothers. Eskith also plans to see Jason’s friend, Gideon, before Gideon sees him first. Jason wants Eskith to kill him first since it’s his plan anyway, but Eskith has his plan and time for that, and he finds Jason’s wife lovely.
Adam visits Mariette, who gladly welcomes him because he hasn’t seen Adam for so long. Adam asks where Jason and Mariette explain that he went to his office to pick up some things. Seeing Mariette’s concerned expression, Adam assures her that she’s a family to them and that they’re always there to help. Adam asks her about Eskith. Mariette tried to lie at first but broke down after. She tells him that Jason has to go to California to testify in a trial against people who might kill him. Although she suggested going to the judge, Jason believed it wouldn’t do any good. Adam advised they’d go to the judge instead to help Jason. Mariette is pleased to hear his suggestion and prepares to accompany him.
Adam and Mariette are talking to judge Rand when Eskith cuts their conversation abruptly with his arrival. He introduces himself as a deputy marshal and presents some documents regarding his visit to the town. Judge Rand informs him about Mariette’s concern regarding the potential danger her husband will face when he testifies in Sacramento. Eskith acknowledges this since the trial involves the Murdoch gang terrorizing the state. He believes that Jason is the only person who can send these criminals to their proper sentences. Judge Rand thinks it’s only reasonable for Jason to testify upon hearing Eskith’s statement. Adam recalls his plan to visit Sacramento, then suggests changing his plans so he can travel with them to make Mariette feel better.
Judge Rand talks to Adam and Eskith about the Clevenger brothers. Eskith tells him that there’s a warrant for the brothers’ arrest. Rand tells them that Gideon Clevenger visited Ben, then warns Eskith that it might be dangerous if he stays in town if Gideon thinks of putting the law in his hands for his sons’ deaths.
Mariette finds Jason in their house and gladly explains their conversation with the judge. The news upsets Jason; he thinks Adam shouldn’t come with him since he might die along the way. Mariette begs to know the truth, so Jason tells her that the Murdoch gang won’t let him arrive in Sacramento alive and that they sent Eskith to kill him. Jason tells her Eskith is a hired killer and that there’s nothing they can do. Mariette suggests they run away and go into hiding, assuring him they’ll succeed now that there are two of them.
Meanwhile, Adam and Eskith talk about their Sacramento trip. Adam believes it’s time he knows the truth, so Eskith tells him that Jason is a missing criminal. Eskith also tells Adam that he protected Jason’s reputation, even to his wife, by listing him as a witness instead of an accused in the documents. Eskith stays in the hotel, then tells Adam they’ll go to Sacramento in the morning.
The Clevengers, led by Gideon, arrives in town to look for Eskith. He offers to live in Virginia City in exchange for Gerald Eskith, or he’ll get his men to ride in town. Adam informs Eskith about Gideon and that the Cartwrights will back him up.
Eskith faces Gideon with his planned strategy. Eskith acts as if the sun made his eyes watery, then reaches for his gun. He fires at Gideon, who fails to draw his weapon in time. Before he falls unconscious, Gideon asserts Eskith to finish his job. Ben calls for a doctor to see Gideon’s condition; fortunately, he’s alive.
Mariette exits her room and finds Eskith reading a book. Eskith compliments her, saying she gets lovelier each time he sees her. He also tells her that judge Rand wishes to have him return to Sacramento immediately. Mariette thinks it’s too soon and she hasn’t met anyone like him. Eskith asks him to visit the hotel to tell him once Jason is ready to leave. Just then, he checks the room and finds Jason nowhere in the house. Eskith slaps Mariette, who falls to the floor.
At the hotel, Gideon reveals to judges Rand, Adam, and Ben that Eskith is the Murdoch gang’s hatchet man called “Dude Butcher Boy.” He also believes Eskith came to lead Jason to the slaughter since he knew too much as the gang’s spotter. Gideon tells them about his sons: Eskith killed the oldest in California, while the other two only mistook Adam for Eskith. Ben thinks it’s foolish for Jason to hide his problem, but judge Rand believes he only did it because he wouldn’t want to ruin his reputation, especially for his wife, Mariette.
Adam finds Mariette on the floor of the house. She tells him that Jason escaped, and Eskith slapped and told him terrible things about her husband. Mariette realized Eskith had stolen her trail map to take her to Jason. Adam calms her down, then leaves to save Jason.
Eskith lies about Mariette’s death at the mines so Jason can reveal his location. Both men cautiously walk through the mines, guns aimed at each other. Eskith jumps and then successfully shoots Jason’s shoulder. Jason shouts to inform Adam of their location at the mines before Eskith knocks him down. Eskith wraps his smaller gun with his handkerchief.
Adam arrives and aims at Eskith, then grabs his weapon. Eskith voices how their circumstance makes him feel hot and sweaty, but Adam takes one of his guns from his coat. Eskith later reaches for his wrapped handgun, but before he can fire it, the quicker Adam shoots him first. Before he dies, Eskith thanks Ben and Adam for their hospitality, telling them that his emotions defeated him.
Mariette and Jason bid their goodbyes to the Cartwrights, who’ll willingly wait for their return.
Full Script and Dialogue of Badge Without Honor
[Music] [Applause] [Music] we got the wrong man bob that's adam cartwright come on let's get out of here [Music] who are you a friend a friend yes you're a feather-footed one who are you gerald eskeff by name here perhaps this will relieve your mind us deputy marshall i can't say i'm sorry to see you who are they the clevenger brothers friends of yours hardly that but you may have made a terrible mistake just be thankful that you're still alive and i'll be thankful that i've reached the end of a long trail the clevengers were wanted in california for bank robbery i had the um unpleasant duty of killing their older brother he was caught robbing sluice boxes oh so you were the one i was only performing my official duty [Music] so [Music] we're greatly in your debt well i'm happy that i was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time we'll try to make you stay here a very comfortable one please thank you we appreciate a great deal if you did for that on this question um anything else you want to tell me i still can't believe it i mean i'm not selling the cleveland just short roughest bunch of renegades i've ever known but i just can't imagine them taking a shot at me you never know with that bunch old good clevenger and his boys have made their own loss for so long you never know when they might step over the line and you did have the ranch payroll with you they must have thought it was somebody else now believe me adam i know how you feel but the marshall did have a warrant for them well there's one thing for certain he isn't too upset about it but come on we've got a guest to take care of we'll decide later what to tell you cleveland if he gives us a chance to talk hmm the bucolic life is not for gerald gets back in the upstairs room thanks son well one would scarcely expect to encounter the ep out here in the wilderness well little joe's mother was louisiana french he likes to play around with him you mean you actually use this oh i fool around that's just for fun he's faster than griez lightning mrs come on joey show him on god brother you should never have given those two a chance to show off oh [Laughter] you know they really have no intention of killing each other he has an admirable skill whack him over the head horse you'll never get anywhere poking at him you say nevertheless your technique is not quite flawless when you faint to the left you're a bit off balance on god oh god [Music] hmm you know you could hurt somebody with that lost the button off the point so i did [Music] this might have been fatal violence as such is vulgar any man who in anger takes a human life becomes a brother of the apes he's an aesthetically impoverished man don't you think so oh yes sir i reckon and yet the skills and rhythms of disciplined violence have beauty like a painting by reuben sir botticelli unfettered by personal emotion yes there to that simple word can be traced the downfall of most artists and many human creatures emotion you know that's a a very interesting observation mr escape i don't think i could cast you in the mold of an average law man i've been told that well i think the elegance and hospitality of your home have made me forget my original mission i'm here to visit an old friend would you happen to know i'm mr jason blaine oh do you say it yes oh yes no him know him very well and his wife wife jason married oh yes about a year they were married right in this very room then you do know him well well jason has always been a little hard to know but uh marietta is practically a part of our family mariette what a charming name yes uh her father was a very dear friend of mine when he died he left the raising of marriott almost entirely to my supervision jason blaine married how very very interesting is she a pretty girl well we always thought so but of course we could be slightly prejudiced oh no my dear adam i have a feeling i can trust your judgment in such matters time to eat please oh good could i uh freshen up a bit before suffering of course i'll show you to your room [Music] adam what are you staring at oh i didn't realize i was look i know you feel bad about the clevengers but it's like esket told horse and me bob and bill had a beat right on your back he had to shoot fast in any way he could just be thankful he was there yeah i'll try to remember that come on let's have some supper right and so under the circumstances there was little i could do and that gentleman is the way i shot my first tiger in india [Applause] oh for heaven's sakes number one because get to do anything right here let me do that mister codlike take you long time to know san francisco take me a long time to know pontalosa i help you in san francisco you helped me in pandalosa all right all right thank you you know for years we had the most wonderful cook cop sing so he went back to hong kong and talked me into hiring his number one cousin i don't know number one cousin doesn't he have a name if he's got one he hasn't told us about it i'm sorry about this joe think nothing of it the same thing happened when i was dining with the prince of wales and paris got going mr escapes you ain't been just about every place and there's one place i never cease to enjoy going to where's that beds i've had a long ride and i'm afraid i'm not much of a night out joe this has been an extremely pleasant evening extremely pleasant i'm sorry about what happened at the end of it uh haas and joe see that mr esquitt has everything he needs yeah tomorrow morning adam and i will ride into virginia city with you we'll show you where jason and marianne live fine have a good rest adam i regret the circumstances under which we met but i'm grateful that we we did meet a stranger in a strange community it's heartening to have substantial friends good night good night miss jessica did you sure not have that old tiger cat for the tail sure that house makes the most wonderful audience doesn't it i hope you'll go along with my little whimsy and wanting to surprise patreon we were such close friends and it's been such a long time since i've seen him are you sure you can find the house my dear adam your directions are most explicit don't forget we want you to spend at least a few days with us at the ranch house i know adam and the boys will want to take him at cougar hunt ben i can't tell you how much i appreciate your hospitality and as i told you before there's nothing in life i find as exciting as a hunt thank you again both of you [Applause] adam let me get through with the bank meet me at the hotel we'll have a bite to eat [Music] pardon me dear lady if i straddled you but i had wrongly assumed that no one was home and it started to leave i'm glad that i was in error you're mrs blaine yes i am the cartwright's told me all about you are you a friend of the cartwrights and an old and dear friend of your good husband gerald esketh is my name surely jason has mentioned me no i don't recall well that is i've never met any of jason's friends did you meet him in california i did indeed my dear child jason's mineralogy has surely been worthwhile he's found a true jewel i don't know if you're making fun of me or not but jason is not at home then perhaps you wouldn't mind if i waited a while for him ben and adam have some business to transact in town and i'm a total stranger here oh yes of course how rude of me won't you come in mr esqued thank you won't you sit down mr rescue thank you i'll make you some tea how very thoughtful of you what a fine likeness of jason yes it is isn't it okay jason good morning how are you adam hi did your friend find you oh who's that your friend from california gerald lesket no is there anything wrong uh no everything's on uh ask it uh it's he here in town well he stopped over to our ranch last night and he rode into town this morning with us went to your house he wanted to surprise you [Music] thank you adam you have some very interesting things marianne i couldn't help but notice this jewel box oh jason took that for saying some ore i'm afraid he isn't very practical but he is sweet we've been so happy here i'm sure you have we thought most highly of jason in san francisco oh how elegant these must look on you oh they're not real pearls but your beauty would make them appear priceless please may i see them on you [Applause] oh jason darling there you are look who's here my dear jason after all of these years asked they're reviving the old case in sacramento jason and they couldn't very well proceed without the chief prosecution witness you is this something you two gentlemen would rather discuss privately no no not at all my business is a law enforcement officer's public business and i'm sure that you and your husband have no secrets from each other i'll fix you some tea jason [Music] have you told her of this matter no how could i she's almost part of the cartwright family how much have you told her nothing i detest emotional display what's the matter jason nothing marriott nothing you'd understand you're not aware of all the facts mariah he has a right to be a reluctant witness his testimony will be against the most sinister forces in northern california they may seek retaliation retaliation however he'll be in my protective custody jason i trust you to be ready for the journey shall we stay at noon tomorrow does that allow you enough time you trust me i amend that i trust your wife to see that you're ready thank you for the team area it was indeed a pleasure meeting i should never have tried to run away from it jason what do you mean i loved you so much i thought i had a right to a little happiness but you did have and you still have i won't let you go back we can leave and we can make another star don't you see that that's what i tried to do and this is the result of it nothing will change i've got to go back with him but he said that it would be dangerous i don't intend to lose you jason i love you much too much huh oh have you seen escape uh he's probably still with jason did you get that matter straightened out at the bank oh yeah but uh but i was leaving i ran into jason and i told him that uh esketh was looking for him and he uh he seemed very upset about it huh i think ask it this here's a friend to see jason or uh is he here in an official capacity is the united states deputy marshall because what do we really know about jason came in here swept mariette off her feet of course it's done very well here he's been here he's been very good to her i suppose that's all you could ask of any man yeah well i'd feel better if i had a talk with mariette and jason just ask them if there was anything wrong what do you think i think it's a good idea and also remind mariette that we still have family for as long as she needs us look while you're over there i'll see you durant going someplace my dear jason i was young asketh it was over five years ago time gets away from a man doesn't it i'm curious jason why don't you go back to ohio my arm isn't quite that long you know i'm a mineralogist yes i traced you through arizona idaho and all over the comstock load you changed your name a couple of times but i found you well you can't take me out of nevada territory here are the extradition papers i trust jason you're growing tired of trying to run away everything legal and aboveboard huh yes always which reminds me i must present my credentials to your local judge i had a little official business on the way in billy and bob clevenger you saw the clevengers briefly through my sights they're both dead what about gideon the old man always a good friend to you wasn't he jason no i haven't seen him yet but i'll plan to see him before he sees me you um seem to have built up a nice little business here why don't you get it over with why don't you kill me and have done with it no jason i'll kill you because that's what i came here for but i'll pick my own time and my own place besides i intend to get much better acquainted with your wife she's lovely jason completely lovely [Music] hello marianne oh adam i'm so glad to see you what's the matter is there something wrong oh no nothing it's just that i haven't seen you for so long where's jason oh he went to the office to pick up some things mariette you're just about as close to being a sister as i'll ever have now a big part of that pleasure is being able to help you tell me what happened when gerald escott came here oh nothing happened i think mr esquith is a very charming person we uh we even had tea oh adam i just can't lie to you i've tried but i just can't it's more like it now tell me about it has to go to california to be witness in a trial well that doesn't sound so terrible i know but the men that he has to testify against they threatened to kill him you see that's why jason left california i see did he talk to judge rand about this oh that was my first suggestion but jason didn't think it would do any good well jason's upset i think i'm in a better position to decide than he is so why don't you and i have a talk with judge rand i think we'll find that jason can make a legal deposition right here in virginia city oh adam could we do something like that i don't know until we ask will we come on get your hat all right i'm sure when we know all the facts adam my dear mariette what a pleasant surprise this is forgive me your honor i am united states deputy marshal gerald esketh you're in my federal district marshall if you have business here you should have presented your documents to me i fully intended to do so sir as a matter of fact i was on my way to your chambers when your uh messenger intercepted me mrs blaine states that her husband's life will be in danger if he if he gives certain testimony in sacramento to some extent she may be right i myself will not feel too secure as his pledge bodyguard you will note there sir that this is the state versus hadley murdoch and a number of john does all of whom comprise a political machine known as the murdoch gang now these are infamous men sir grown fat on terrorism and plunder and so rich and powerful indeed that they now have most of the state of california under their rule of dread and fear blaine is the key witness we on the side of the law earnestly believe that jason blaine is the one man who can send these culprits to the gallows well your husband's duty is clear mariette and we can't very well call out the militia to guard him well i was planning a trip to sacramento in a week or so i could change my plans go along with you would make mariette feel better oh it would adam it would anything to relieve this dear lady's anxieties and rest assured we'll be joined by other officers in sacramento oh i'm very grateful to you to all of you uh mr esquith i'm terribly sorry to have caused you all this trouble there's no trouble my dear on the contrary i was delighted to see revealed that jewel which money cannot buy loyalty marshall you and adam both i i'd like to talk to you if it's uh if it's all right with you mariette of course not adam jason will be so pleased to know that you're going with him thank you gentlemen thank you it's about the killing of the clevelander brothers ah yes uh distasteful duty i assure you but there is a warrant out in california for their arrest i was talking to your father at him he was telling me that gideon clevenger came to see him yeah but he didn't seem to want to make any trouble strange man get in clevenger he'll brood about the death of his sons then he'll decide to take the law into his own hands he can be very dangerous if he makes up his mind to it well the thought of any further bloodshed is completely repelling to me i'll rest a whole lot easier when you're out of town on your way back to sacramento then you think that this um gideon clevenger will make the death of his two sons a personal issue between himself and me i think that precisely i see jason jason i have the most wonderful news i've just come from talking to judge ran you what oh it's all right darling he's going to write a letter to a friend in sacramento a judge and then adam is going to go with you no no he can't do that but jason adam only wants to help well he well he can't go with me but why tell me why because if adam cartwright goes with me he'll never get there alive [Music] jason what are you trying to tell me can't we make one move in our life without the cartwrights getting mixed up in it but the cartwrights are my best friends and they're the best friends you ever had i don't want to talk about it jason come on this isn't like us i'm your wife and i have a right to know the truth well i have told you the truth tell me something why did you say that if adam went with you he would be killed because that is the truth too jason i have never asked you anything about your past life before because it just wasn't important but now it is now do they want you as a witness for something you saw or for something you did what difference does it make eskis told you about the murdoch gang didn't he yes well that gang isn't going to let me get the sacramento alive not even with mr esketh and adam to protect you don't you realize that escus was sent here to kill me once i leave here i'll be dead before i can get as far as the ponderosa but why would anybody want to kill you because that's why he came here he is a hired paid killer now try to understand that [Music] jason there must be something we can do there must be what you want me to get a gun go up against him he would love that self-defense everything above board legal then why don't you go to judge rand tell him the truth and he'll protect you you saw his papers he is a marshal he has every right in the world to take me in and you're gonna stand there and let him do it oh what else can i do we can go away we can go east jason please please they can't reach that far even if we have to spend the rest of our lives hiding i don't care i'd much rather have you that way than not have you at all please if we only could we only could it would be like starting from the beginning no west no past tense jason jason we must do it we must we can i know we can you get some things packed there's still lesketh don't forget i tried this once before oh but don't forget you didn't have me before now i can handle him i think i know a lady's man when i see one yes i know how to deal with him no i can't let you do that he's too dangerous oh no darling really he won't be with me please trust me trust me now hurry hurry and get something packed please [Applause] adam i find this a land of unexpected pleasures little did i dream that you'd be making the trip to sacramento with me well since i am don't you think it uh might be a good idea to let me in on the truth isn't that a rather strange way to put a question at him well as pawn i both told you we think a great deal of mariette and so do i think a lot of her that's why i tried to spare her the seriousness of jason's case then he's not just a missing witness no a missing criminal but on your honor adam this is to go no further in virginia city by turning state's evidence he'll be able to return here with no damage to his so-called reputation i appreciate whatever protection you can give mariette you know i believe we think alike i even had him listed in the documents as a witness not as one of the accused thank you for telling me i'd like to get the best lawyer you can find adam i want you to think it rude of me but under the circumstances i think it's best not to return to the ponderosa i'll take a room here at the hotel and if it's convenient for you we'll leave shall we say first thing in the morning fine with me i'll bring your luggage in with me and bring along your best suit adam i know some pretty girls in sacramento and perhaps we can forget some of the more unpleasant aspects of a martial's duties very good if i um seemed a little cool towards youts it was only because of my concern for mariette well i better let paul know what's happening see you in the morning [Music] i hope this wouldn't happen well maybe we can reason with it let me try it [Music] hello get in we haven't seen you for some time save your words judge i know gerald esketh in this town now where is he i really don't know gideon look at me when i talk to you i don't like fellers who can't look straight you've lost three sons trying to fight a private war why don't you just find yourself a rocking chair and live to a ripe old age huh i've got a better idea that'll help a lot more people you deliver as gift to me i'll get out of virginia city and stay out you don't i got 20 more men anxious to ride in here you're not serious i have offered you a fair deal get me that back shooter come in oh my dear adam they tell me gideon clevenger's looking for me he's threatening to tear the whole town apart unless you're handed over to him he seems a truly dedicated scoundrel faithful to his purpose honest to a fault i want you to know that pawn and i'll be backing you up thank you kindly adam shall we uh look into the matter but he's certainly a cool one i'll have to admit that [Music] what are you gonna do make our friend a sporting proposition he's in the saloon clevenger can you hear me i can hear you asketh it's a voice i'm not likely to forget you made this personal clevenger so let's keep it that way there's no sense that harming innocent people you've made yourself a deal but if the cartwrights or anyone else tries to get into it i'm cutting my boys loose you're free to change your mind anytime thank you friend but i find the arrangement most satisfactory i've already planned my strategy i don't like this adam i'm beginning to think esketh knows what he's doing so make your play you filthy little back shooter you first my dear clevenger [Music] [Applause] you better finish the job ask us [Applause] so [Applause] adam you better get the doctor see what we can do with clevenger how is cleveland you go through he wants to see you i took the liberty of dropping in without knocking well i was sure the door was locked you grow lovelier each time i see you i must look aside a sight indeed the very kind and inspired wordsworth to rhapsodize she was a phantom of delight when first she gleamed upon my sight now you know that you much prefer those sophisticated san francisco women to a country girl like myself i hope someday to prove the error of that statement by putting you beside them a ruby in a diadem of glass oh you mean the ones from the barbary coast what lies has jason been telling you about me why none none it's just that i know so little about san francisco it was only a chance remark and please accept my apology i'm thin skinned when it comes to matters of honor oh i apologize too i had planned to look much more presentable the next time we met then it was rude of me to arrive so unexpectedly but i thought i better tell you the judge ran suggested that i start back to sacramento immediately oh so soon you don't know how lonely it gets i mean jason has to work such long hours i've never met anyone like you gerald a little more time won't matter could you come to the hotel to let me know when jason is ready just as long as you aren't too impatient now let us not misunderstand my honorable intentions i understand your intentions perfectly you're gonna learn just who you've been playing games with who what are you he's murdoch's hatchet man around the embarcadero they call him the dude butcher boy it's my reckoning you came here to lead jason blaine to the slaughter because jason knows too much jason was mixed up with murdoch he was a spotter for the bunch that's easy for an essayer whenever he'd see gold bullion he'd telescope that slimy killer would lead his knight riders claiming they were vigilantes that was a good cover for him but jason got second he quit and ran away jason was too soft for esca shooting parties i saw him later in virginia city but i figured let a father go straight that's trying hard and your oldest son asketh backshot my boy our california stamp mail while his outfit looted the other two you know about men they wasn't killers they heard asketh was headed this way they mistook adam for him that fooled jason why couldn't he tell us the trouble he was in there's a thing called reputation ben especially if you're married to a woman like mariette i'd swear she never knew that jason had a record [Music] where's jason was escaped here yes he hit me and he slapped me and he wanted me to tell did he tell you who he really is yes and he said terrible things about jason where is jason where is he where is he the uh silver corazon mine i'm supposed to meet him there he gave me a little trail map he took it it's gone he took it he took the map he'll kill jason calm down now listen i'll send somebody look after you now don't go while you stay right here [Applause] okay jason jason you can't get away jason can you hear me would you like to hear what happened to your wife she died in my arms jason i held her i watched her can you take that and run away with it [Music] in here come on come on um [Music] so [Music] ah [Music] oh [Music] the unruly emotions jason but don't be ashamed because they've destroyed you they've conquered more men than napoleon's armies go ahead go ahead and shoot last time i bring it right to you i'm here we're in here we're in here [Music] so don't turn around jason marry he's all right i'm taking you in escape it's hot in here isn't it or is it just the uncomfortable circumstances i find myself in no might have worked on clevenger but it won't work on me my dear adam you don't think that i'd be childish so childish as to pull the same chestnut twice i wish you hadn't tried it ask it i suppose i i knew all along that this would happen [Applause] someday thank you for your hospitality man [Music] i never dreamed that gerald eskel would be defeated by emotions i can't believe you ever had any oh yes i did i was in love you know i was in love with gerald asking [Music] we'll miss you very much thank you ben thank you for everything judge rand said it shouldn't be more than a year and that will be the longest year of my life well i'm glad you made the decision on your own jason when you come back your house will be here waiting thank you ben goodbye we'll be waiting too things will be just the same thank you [Music] first [Music] [Applause] [Music] so [Music] you
Behind the Scenes of Badge Without Honor
The episode’s title in German is “Der ehrenwerte Marshall.” which means “The Honorable Marshall.”
This episode marks Dan Duryea’s (U.S. Dep. Marshal Gerald Eskith) first appearance in the series. His second appearance was as Sam Logan in the episode Logan’s Treasure, which aired in 1964.
Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?
Bonanza is the must-watch American Western television series you’d enjoy by yourself or with family. The show lasted 14 seasons on the NBC network from September 1959 to January 1973. Badge Without Honor is the 35th episode out of 430 and the third for the second season.
You can find more about any of the 430 Bonanza episodes here>>