
The Companeros Full Episode – Bonanza, Season #05, Episode #29
Distinguished among Bonanza episodes, The Companeros diverges from featuring the principal stars and instead centers solely on Ben Cartwright’s nephew Will, portrayed by Guy Williams. Guest star Frank Silvera assumes the role of freedom fighter Mateo Ibara, who seeks Will’s aid in supporting Benito Juarez’s bid for the Mexican presidency. Despite Will’s affection for Ibara and his wife Carla, portrayed by Faith Domergue, he begins questioning Mateo’s true intentions. Anthony Carbone, known for appearing in various American-International movie epics, performs Vincente in this episode. Originally broadcast on April 19, 1964, “The Companeros” was scripted by Ken Pettus.
Explore its storyline, along with intriguing trivia, or view the entire episode below.
Table of Contents
Watch the Full Episode of The Companeros
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Main Cast
Besides the main cast, “The Companeros,” the twenty-ninth episode of Bonanza Season 5 highlights various recurring and guest-supporting actors. The following are featured in the episode:
- Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
- Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright (credit only)
- Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright (credit only)
- Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
- Guy Williams as Will Cartwright
- Frank Silvera as Mateo Ybarra
- Faith Domergue as Carla Ybarra
- Rico Alaniz as Juan Pacheco
- Antony Carbone as Vincente Morales
- Rodolfo Hoyos Jr. as Luis Hidalgo (as Rodolfo Hoyos)
- Pepe Hern as Alphonso Maximo
- Roy Engel as Dr. Paul Martin
- Joe Yrigoyen as Tomas Santos
Full Story Line for The Companeros
Mateo Ibara and his wife Carla pay a visit to the Ponderosa. Ibara urges Will to accompany him back to Mexico. Having fought alongside Ibara for Juarez’s cause and owing his life to Ibara’s heroism, Will feels indebted to him. However, Ben harbors suspicions regarding Ibara’s true intentions.
Full Script and Dialogue of The Companeros
Pretty fancy-looking rig. What's it doing on our land? Well, maybe they lost their way. Let's go down and find out. Whoa. Whoa. If you're on your way to Virginia City, you're off the main road here. No, senor. Senors, permit me. I am Mateo Ybarra. Perhaps you have heard of me. Indeed we have. From my nephew. - Your nephew? - Yes, Will Cartwright. Guillermo? Ah, then you must be... Well, I'm Ben Cartwright. Oh, senor, it is a pleasure. It is a privilege. Carla, come meet Guillermo's uncle. Senor, my wife. Senora Ybarra. And Guillermo, how is he? - Fine. Aah. It will be wonderful to see him again. Well, I'm afraid you're in for a bit of a disappointment. He left on a cattle drive just yesterday morning. But I must see him, senor. I'm going back to Mexico. I have to be in El Paso del Norte as soon as possible. But, Mateo, if he's not here... Carla, I must speak to him. If he is not here, we will go where he is. If it's necessary and urgent... Oh, it is urgent, senor. Adam said he'd probably make camp at Harker's Crossing tonight. Why don't you ride over and tell Will that Senor Ybarra's here. And you stay with Hoss and Adam and give them a hand with the herd. Right, Pa. Hyah! Joseph, come back here! Joseph! Come on back! I want you to get into town. Get Doc Martin to come to the house right away. - And then go after Will. - Right, Pa. We camp here tonight. No fires. I could have you shot for this, Vicente. - Could you? - My orders were to follow Ybarra and to arrest him if he crossed the border. As long as I am in command, you will obey those orders. With the sedative I gave him, he'll be all right, except for a mighty sore shoulder for a while. How soon will he be able to travel? Right now, if he had to. But I'd give him a few days. Well, I'll be downstairs if you want anything. You'll find a bed and blankets in the bunkhouse right through there. So that's Mateo Ybarra. You recognized him? When I was in Texas a few years ago. He and his gang of Comancheros used to practically run the state of Chihuahua. What's he doing here, Ben? Oh, a friend of Will's. Will rode with him for a couple years. Will rode with that bandit? That bandit was fighting for Juárez at the time. Oh. Luis. Pacheco wants you. Come. You made good time. We only got as far as Wolf Hill today. Little Joe caught up with us just as we were making camp. How's Mateo, Ben? You go on in. Why didn't you write me you were coming? You know how Mateo likes surprises. Besides, we thought our journey was a secret. The Realistas have probably been watching him ever since he landed in California. The wonder is they waited five years to try to kill him. Because he was not a threat to them in California. Now he is. Guillermo... we are returning to Mexico. That's what I hear. We mustn't disturb him. I wonder if I could have a glass of sherry. As Guillermo knows, it takes money to raise an army. And you have the money now? Sí, waiting for us in El Paso del Norte. Enough money to arm and equip 3,000 men. Well, that should make Juárez pretty happy. From what we read in the papers here, he needs help against the Realistas. Juárez always needs help. Maybe it's because he promises too much. You know, he's always talking about law and justice when all the people really want is food and land. Well, senora, without law and justice, what guarantee do the people have that they'll be able to keep their land? Well, I... I'd better be getting upstairs. Good night. Your uncle is a very charming man, Guillermo. And this ranch, this hacienda, it's called the Ponderosa, is it not? Guillermo, are you happy here? What does Mateo want? When you ask me like that, I think you know. He wants me to go back to Mexico with him, doesn't he? He wants you very badly, Guillermo. You asked me if I was happy here. I am. Does that mean you're going to refuse him? Yes. I didn't want to come here. I'm sure you are aware of that. I told Mateo I thought it would be a waste of time, that you would refuse him. He said, "Refuse? How can he refuse?" Guillermo, how can you refuse him? Have you changed that much? I think so. I wonder. Good night, Guillermo. We say Ybarra dies now. But why, Vicente? Why? Because, Luis, they are very young and have all their lives yet to live and are impatient to get on with it. What is the difference if Ybarra dies here or in Mexico in front of a firing squad? The difference is that we are soldiers, not assassins. And have you forgotten what Ybarra is? We were sent to arrest him. Not to execute him. Maximo is right. Why do we argue? You have made up your minds. You are three. We are two. We are outvoted. But this is wrong. We have our orders. Pacheco's in command, you cannot deny that. All we want to do is change the orders. Only on the condition that Ybarra does not die until after we have left the Ponderosa. What difference does it make? I will not argue with you, Vicente. Those are my terms. Pacheco. Guillermo. Oh, wait, wait. Just let me look at you. You know, Mateo, you should be in bed. What? I do not walk on my hands. Just the same, don't wander too far, huh? What, you're worried about those pistoleros - the Realistas sent to kill me? - That's right. You know the Realistas, Guillermo. Shoot and run. Well, don't count on it. Hey, Guillermo. Hey, you remember that Realistas captain? You remember Santa Rosalia? The captain you spanked with the flat of his sword? - Huh? - I remember. With all the people shouting, like at a bullfight. Olé Heh, heh, heh. Remember? Olé. Ha-ha-ha. What is it, Guillermo? Carla. She... She told me you want me to go back to Mexico with you. Guillermo, it will be like the old days, huh? Only better. Much better. - Listen, Mateo... - In a year, maybe less, we'll ride into Mexico City, right up to the presidential palace. With 5,000, no, maybe 10,000 compañeros riding behind us, huh? I'm not going with you, Mateo. What are you going to do? I'm going to stay here. This is my home. Uh... You mean you are going to be a ranchero for the rest of your life? Now I know you're joking. Heh, heh, heh. I need you. I do. All of our compañeros are gone. You are the only one that I have left that I can trust. That I can listen to. Like you listened at San Lorenzo? I shouldn't have said that. No, no. Do not apologize. No, you are right. I did not listen to you at San Lorenzo and 200 men were killed. And the few of us that were left had to run like whipped dogs. I did not stop running until I reached California. Mateo, would you just forget it? No, let us not forget. But let us not pick and choose what to remember, eh? Yes, there was San Lorenzo. But there were also other places, other times. We should not forget those. Hmm? Like Rio Blanco. Like Rio Blanco. Sí. A gringo saddle tramp sitting in a jail cell, drunk, waiting to die in front of a Realistas firing squad the next morning. You needed me that night in Rio Blanco, Guillermo. I did not fail you. Oh. Well, you seem to have made a speedy recovery. Once, I rode all day and all night with three holes like this one in me. Remember, Guillermo? My horse gave up before I did. I'm going into town to get some supplies. - Anything that you might need? - I'll check, Ben. All right. We'll talk later, Mateo. Sí. Oh, Senora Ybarra is bringing up your breakfast. If you still have an appetite. - Ben. - Yeah? Whoa. Whoa, whoa. Here's some leather that needs fixing. Well, throw it in the back. I'll leave it at the harness shop. Anything else? No. Ben. Ben, I would like to talk to you. - Did you see Guillermo? - Sí. - And? - He will come with us. Did he say so? - No, but I could tell in his eyes. - Stop it. Stop it. You know, it makes me sad that you do not like Guillermo. Did you once make eyes at him when he did not approve? You forget, I am not a well man. Oh, you are a fool. A fool, Carla mia? An ignorant man, perhaps. But a fool? No. And I will tell you why. Because I know what I am and what I am not. I'm a bandido, a Comanchero. I can hunt and I can hide. I can raid a hacendado and set fire to his casa and his crops, and steal his cattle and his gold. And once, his beautiful daughter. But I am not Guillermo. I do not think like a general. I cannot lead an army. You did once. To San Lorenzo, to be butchered. That is why I need Guillermo. With him, we can go to Mexico City. And then, perhaps... you will not hate me when I touch you. Nor yourself for wanting me to. Four of Mateo's men were killed breaking me out of that jail at Rio Blanca. I know, I know. Four men to save the life of one worthless Norte Americano who hit a Realista officer who happened to spill my drink. I know, you told me that. Yeah, but what I didn't tell you was this. One of those four men was Mateo's brother. His brother? His name was Esteban. He was a couple of years younger than Mateo. But he was all the family that Mateo had left. - Look, Will... - Ben, let me finish. About a year later, we rode back to Rio Blanco. Mateo went to visit Esteban's grave. I went with him. And that's where... That's where he gave me this. - Esteban's? - Yes. And that was when... you took his brother's place. Yes. And for the first time in years, Ben, I did not feel alone. I meant something to someone, belonged somewhere, with Mateo and his men. And now I've started wondering... maybe I still do. No, Will, you don't. You belong here. You see, we're the only family you have left. Thanks, Ben. I thought so too. For a while it seemed right. But then when Little Joe rode into that camp and told me about Mateo, I don't know, something happened. I looked at him and Adam and Hoss. I was a stranger to them. Like someone who came to a party by mistake. And I look around here, Ben, and I don't see myself. I see you and the boys. It's yours. You built it and you belong. - I... - Will, Will. You've been here such a short time. You know, it takes getting used to, a new place like this. And particularly when you start comparing your feelings toward Mateo and toward us. Well, you lived with Mateo, you fought with him. You risked your lives one for the other. Of course you feel very close to him. But still, we are your family. I know it's just a word, but it's a word which deserves a chance for some meaning. Time to gain some meaning. You think about that when you talk to Mateo. I'll be back around suppertime. Guillermo. Mateo's asleep. I wanna talk to him. He's drunk. Let him sleep, please. Well, I wanted to ask him a few questions. Maybe you can answer them. About the money waiting in El Paso del Norte. Where did it come from? From friends. Why? You mean the peons, the vaqueros, the campesinos? A peso here and a centavo there? Why do you think it took five years? Well, what about Juárez? What about him? Well, doesn't he know Mateo's coming back? - Why should he? - Well, he's still president of Mexico. Juárez is president of nothing. The Realistas have him trapped at Veracruz. Well, isn't that why Mateo's going back? To help him break out of that trap? He'll help him if he can. Who'll decide that? Mateo? Or you? I have always tried to help Mateo with his decisions. Like his decision to attack San Lorenzo? And we had to swim the Rio Grande. Yeah. It was spring and the river was a mile wide from the flood. When we got on the other side, heh, Guillermo, he poured the water from his boots and he looked up at me and he said, "Hey, Mateo, what we need is a navy." Well, maybe we have one this time? I still have a few things to do. I'd better get started before it gets too late. Excuse me. Will. The way Mateo's talking, he still thinks you're going with him. When I left you, I had the feeling - you were gonna tell... - I was, Ben. What happened? It was something Luis Hidalgo said to me about Carla. About how she spreads her greed around like a sickness. Then I had a talk with Carla. That's when I made up my mind. I haven't told Mateo yet, but I'm going back with him, Ben. I just don't understand you. Why? Carla's hiding something. I don't know what it is. But I know this much. Mateo may think he's going back to help Juárez, but Carla has other plans for him. What kind of plans? What does she want? Mexico. That's quite an ambition. What about Mateo? Does he share this ambition with her? No, Ben. Mateo really wants to help Juárez. Tell me, has he always been a heavy drinker? He always liked to drink, but not like I've seen him here. What's he afraid of? I think he's afraid of Carla, of what she may force him to do someday to keep her. He hasn't forgotten San Lorenzo. Strange man. He talks so big, so grandly about war and the excitement of action, the companionship of danger. Yet in the couple of days he's been here, he strikes me as a man who's afraid, unsure of himself. Now you tell me he's dominated by this woman. Which man is he, Will? I don't know anymore. Maybe the years have changed him. Hmm. Maybe they have. And if they have... is he worth what he's asking you to do? Was I worth what he did for me at Rio Blanco? And if those pistoleros are watching, they will think that Carla and I are in the carriage. I hope so. And with three men guarding it... Oh, ho-ho-ho. Very good. Luis, you'll leave on the carriage at daybreak. If those men haven't followed you or stopped you by the time you get to Spring River, turn around and come back. We'll be waiting for you in San Francisco. Will. Ben? Are you sure you'll be able to get a ship out of San Francisco? I wired San Francisco. The Westerner leaves on Tuesday for San Diego. From San Diego, we take a coach to El Paso. It's our bodyguards. Luis. Now do you see why I want Guillermo with me? He thinks of everything. He does not take chances. He's intelligent, experienced. You're lucky to have him as a friend. Friend? More than just a friend, senor. I may not have another chance. Let me thank you for your hospitality. Would you have a drink with me? - Excuse me. - Senor. You are not happy I am taking Guillermo with me. Do you not know the reason he is going? I think I do. Out of a sense of loyalty to you. Gratitude for what you did at Rio Blanco. That is only the excuse. That is not the reason. It is something else. It is something inside. Not here, not here. Here. It is a hunger, a thirst that will never go away. I know. In California, the life was good, very good. The sun was warm, the rain was gentle, the earth was rich. I looked at all that I had and I asked myself: "Why do I want to leave this place?" I had no answer. Only the need, the hunger to move on, to go somewhere. It is the same with Guillermo. Huh? He and I are very much alike, senor. So learn to say adios. It is something you will say often with your nephew. Hmm. Strange. Your words are so eloquent. Why don't I believe them? I am a man of many words, senor. Which of my words do you not believe? That word "hunger." That my nephew has this hunger, as you call it. Maybe that was true at one time, but not now. Not now that he has a home and a family. No. No, if he goes with you... he'll go as I said, to repay you for Rio Blanco. Senor. Which other of my words do you not believe? I don't know. I just hope that what my nephew is doing, he's doing for the right man. We'll return to tonight's story of Bonanza in a moment. And now the exciting conclusion of tonight's story. Say goodbye to Adam, Hoss and Little Joe for me. Have you decided which man you're doing this for? It doesn't matter. I've still got a debt to pay. I was kind of hoping that you thought you'd paid it. Not yet. Adios, uncle. Vaya con Dios, nephew. Guillermo... I need rest. There's a shack up ahead. We can rest there. - Take him inside. I'll get the water. - Sí. I'm all right. Vicente, we do this my way. As long as it is done. When my horse is rested, I will ride it as far as it will take me. Don Guillermo. Don Guillermo. It is I, Juan Pacheco. Juan Pacheco? What's he doing with the Realistas? I want to talk to you alone. - Do you hear me? - I hear you. What do you want, Pacheco? Please come out, Don Guillermo. You can't go out there. Can't you see it's a trap? You know why Pacheco is there, don't you? Why does he want me dead? Tell me. What's this all about, Pacheco? We want Mateo. Who's we? Vicente Morales, Alphonso Maximo, Tomas Santos and Juan Pacheco. Whose side are you fighting for now? Luis told us you thought we were Realistas. Is Luis with you too? That's how we knew Mateo would not be traveling south. Luis is no Realista, Guillermo, you know that. Nor am I. It is they who are Realistas. The ones who want to make a foreigner emperor of Mexico. I don't believe it. Mateo Ybarra has an agreement with the Realistas. They will let him take Mexico City, he will proclaim himself El Caudillo. Pacheco, you rode with Mateo. You can't believe that. We have proof. A warrant for Mateo's arrest on a charge of treason signed by Benito Juárez. There must be some mistake, Pacheco. I was with the president when he heard the evidence. What evidence? From a captured Realista officer, General Arriaga, who went to California to negotiate the arrangements. I can't believe it, Pacheco. You know Mateo. We can settle this right now. - Senor. It is settled. Now, tell him. I asked them to give you a chance to save your life, Guillermo. They agreed because you once served Juárez well. So did Mateo. It is not we who have forgotten. It is Mateo himself. Get on your horse, Guillermo, ride out. Take the senora with you. Leave Mateo to us. - To be murdered. - Executed. And what are you gonna say to Juárez? That you shot him while he was trying to escape? There is no use arguing, Guillermo. It is decided. It's not decided. Not until Mateo has a chance to defend himself. Then it's decided. There is nothing I can do, amigo. I'm sorry. You're sorry. He was your friend, Pacheco. That was another Mateo, Guillermo. You have one hour to decide what you want to do. You're wasting an hour. It is your life, senor. The only way we had to raise any money for the army. If the Realistas were foolish enough to think they could control you, then why not use them? - We could turn on them... - Turn on them too. Oh, you... You really had this figured out, didn't you? Right down to that last double cross. Did you know anything at all about this, Mateo? No, he didn't. I was the only one who talked to the Realistas. I planned it all myself. Well, those Juáristas out there, they don't believe this. Mateo, they called me out to tell me that they were giving me a chance to get out before they kill you. Take it, Guillermo. I can't. MATEO: Take it! Carla is wrong. I knew what she was doing all the time. How could you know? I wasn't even gonna tell you until we got to Mexico. You think you had to tell me? Do you think I could not guess? I knew. I was pretending I did not know. I did not want to admit it, not even to myself. Not until Carla said it herself a minute ago. I knew. I was for sale. If the Realistas had enough money to buy me, they could have me. Why? - Why? - Why? Because I was rotting away in California. But to turn your back on everything you fought for? What did I fight for, Guillermo? Hmm? - Liberty, justice, freedom? - Yes! You fought for those things. We fought for them. Maybe once. But that was long ago. Afterwards, I fought because it was the only thing that I knew how to do. Why? What for? Who for? It did not make any difference. Heh. I fought for Juárez. And before Juárez, for Pedro Iribas. And before Iribas, for Santa Anna. And when the fighting was finished, and they had won, and they did not need Mateo Ybarra any longer, they said that I was a thief and a murderer, and they sent out their soldiers to hunt me down. Heh, heh. And I laughed, and I said it did not matter. But it was a lie, Guillermo. It was a lie. Because all the while, I wanted to be the one who rode into Mexico City to sit in the presidential palace and be the hunter instead of the hunted. Hmm. And she knew. And she wanted it for me. Go with him, Carla. Take her, Guillermo. If they want to arrest you, Mateo, that's one thing... but to kill you, they're going to have to work for it. If fighting was all you ever lived for, here's our chance to die happy. I can't let you do this for me. I'm not doing this for you, Mateo. Not anymore. Mateo, no. No, please. I don't want you to do this thing. Listen. Darling, we can make our lives again. Mateo, I don't want you to go out there. Please, I don't want you to. Mateo! No! Kill me. Kill me too. You will have many opportunities to die, Vicente. Don't be in a hurry to take this one. So you found out which man he was, didn't you, Will? I think I knew all along, Ben. Strange, huh? Mateo didn't really do anything treasonous. I don't think he could be convicted. He found himself guilty in his own mind. That's all that's important to him. Well, I'd better be getting to bed. I'll be leaving early in the morning. Good night, Ben. Wait a minute. What do you mean leaving? Well, I can't stay here now. Why not? I mean, where would you go? Well, I figure on making Shoshone Falls by tomorrow night. I bet the boys could use another hand. You know, I forgot all about that cattle drive. Ha, ha. Ben, I was only gone a short while, but while I was gone, I got a strange feeling for the Ponderosa. Would you say it was sort of a... hunger? Yeah. A good hunger? Hmm? I'm glad you got it. See you in the morning. - Good night, Ben. - Night. ♪♪ You ready for that trip? Big country. Big. Across that plain came the pioneers, in search of new life and adventure, over a hundred years ago. The country hasn't changed much, nor has its people. The thirst for adventure is still strong. Everybody wonders... what's over the next hill? What's beyond that next curve? The wonders of this great land are waiting to be discovered by you, so let's soar. Let's travel kaleidoscopically, every which way... To where it's busy, quiet, turbulent, dry, wet, low, high. Now, because it's your Chevrolet dealers' Trade 'N' Travel Time, let's see the USA. ♪♪ And now, America's cities. New York, largest city. With endless sights to see. This year, host for the 1964 World's Fair. Below you is Chicago and its lakefront. Chicago... bustling metropolis of the Midwest. San Francisco, with its cable cars and Fisherman's Wharf, on the old Barbary Coast. The nation's capitol. The Capitol dome, and the monuments to our great presidents: Lincoln... Jefferson. How much like his own design for the rotunda of the University of Virginia. Ride the open roads of the towns and villages of America's heartland. To Niagra Falls. The street in front of your house leads anywhere. To all the great national parks. To the land of the world's oldest living trees... The Bristlecone Pines in Inyo National Forest, California. To tall forests and rushing streams. To quiet places. Your Chevrolet is a time machine that can take you to the coastlines of two mighty oceans. Or to the stunning silence of great deserts. Or to river-carved canyons. Or to green countrysides. Now wasn't that a great trip? Why don't you make it soon, yourself. Be on your way, see the USA. It's a big, wonderful country, marvelous to see, and easy to see... in the new Corvette... Chevelle... Corvair... Chevy Il... or Chevrolet. Five great highway performers. Visit your Chevrolet dealer. It's a good time to trade and a good time to travel. In fact, it is Trade 'N' Travel Time.
Behind the Scenes of The Companeros
This episode was in production when news broke of President Kennedy’s assassination.
Following Juan Pacheco’s shooting by the rifleman, Little Joe sets off in pursuit of the perpetrators. Ben calls him to return as he gallops diagonally uphill toward the three equestrians. Upon Little Joe’s halt and return to his father, the scene reveals that the three fleeing actors had stopped their horses. Presumably, they had assumed they were out of the shot as Little Joe rode back to Ben.
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Bonanza is a superbly wholesome show suitable for individual viewing or family enjoyment. The Companeros marks the 163rd episode out of 430.NBC produced Bonanza, which aired on their network from September 1959 to January 1973, lasting 14 seasons.
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