Joe Cartwright’s life is rescued by Danny Kidd (Dean Jones), a chain gang convict who has spent most of his existence imprisoned. In gratitude, Joe intervenes to secure Danny’s release. The subsequent narrative revolves around Danny’s challenges and struggles as he navigates the arduous and painful transition to life beyond prison walls. The supporting ensemble features Janet Lake as Ann Carter and Edward Faulkner as Bob Stevens. Penned by Frank Chase, The Friendship aired on November 12, 1961.

Delve into its plot, enriched with intriguing trivia, or watch the episode below.

Watch the Full Episode of The Friendship

Watch the Full Episode of The Friendship:

Main Cast

In addition to the main actors of Bonanza, the eighth episode of the third season, “The Friendship,” showcased several recurring and supporting cast members from the series. The following actors made appearances in this episode:

• Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
• Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
• Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
• Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
• Dean Jones as Danny Kidd
• Janet Lake as Ann Carter
• Edward Faulkner as Bob Stevens (as Ed Faulkner)
• Norman Alden as Teller (as Norm Alden)
• Rusty Lane as Warden
• Stafford Repp as Carter
• Roy Wright as Travis
• Betty Endicott as Party Guest (uncredited)
• Joe Evans as Party Guest (uncredited)
• Martha Manor as Party Guest (uncredited)

Full Story Line for The Friendship

Joe inspects a work crew constructing a road through Ponderosa territory, where Ben insists on fair treatment for the laborers. A tense moment arises when Travis, the guard, fires a shot at a disrespectful prisoner, startling Joe’s horse, Concho, into a wild gallop. Joe is thrown off, his foot tangled in the stirrup, dragging him along the ground. A compassionate prisoner intervenes, halting the horse’s rampage. Grateful, Joe thanks him, and the prisoner, Danny Kidd, explains he acted to protect the horse. Joe inquires about him, and Danny requests his freedom in return.

Later, at the Yuma Territorial Prison, Joe, Hoss, and Ben discuss Danny’s situation with the warden. Despite acknowledging Ben’s fair treatment of the prisoners, the warden hesitates to release Danny. Joe insists that Danny’s actions saved his life, prompting the warden to summon Danny to explain his actions directly to the Cartwrights.

During their conversation, Danny reveals he’s 23 years old and has spent a decade in prison since he was 13. He recounts stabbing someone who stole his apple pie with a fork. Danny, orphaned at the age of 5, has been fending for himself since. Ben advocates for Danny, believing he has already faced considerable punishment.

Joe urges the warden to sign the amnesty letter, offering to take full responsibility for Danny. With Joe’s assurance, the warden marks the document and promises Danny a full pardon if he remains out of trouble for a year. As a token of remembrance, the warden presents Danny with a carved wooden toy, a cherished possession from Danny’s past.
Ben expresses concern as he prepares to leave with Hoss to purchase a bull, leaving Joe alone with Danny. Joe reassures Ben, asserting that he and Danny will manage just fine together.

Upon their arrival at the Ponderosa, Adam reprimands Joe for his tardiness and informs him of mounting chores. Joe introduces Danny to Adam, who then shares troubling news about Concho, the horse. Concerned, Joe takes Danny to the barn.

Observing Concho’s labored breathing, Joe fears the worst. Despite the vet’s prognosis, Danny offers to assist, drawing from his experience with sick horses in prison. Joe and Danny devise a makeshift sling to support Concho’s weight and provide warmth with heated blankets. Their efforts prove successful, as Concho is up and eating from Danny’s hand the following morning.

Meanwhile, at the bunkhouse, preparations are underway for an evening party. Teller, searching for a neckerchief, intrudes into Danny’s belongings and discovers the wood carving. Danny insists he put it back. Ignoring tensions, Danny declines to confront Bob, asserting they’re not worth returning to jail. As the men head off searching for female company, Danny remains composed, refusing to be baited into a fight.

Joe introduces Danny to Anne Carter at the party, who admits she doesn’t recognize him from the local scene. Danny confesses his lack of confidence in conversing with girls, prompting Anne to offer guidance and invite him to dance.

Observing from the sidelines, the ranch hands Bob and Teller eye Anne and Danny closely. Bob approaches Mr. Carter and falsely claims his daughter is in the company of an ex-convict. Without explanation, Danny abruptly insists they leave, leaving Anne puzzled. When questioned by Adam, Danny hastily explains their departure. Mr. Carter expresses concern over his daughter associating with an ex-convict, prompting Adam to reassure Danny.

Suspecting Bob and Teller’s involvement, Adam swiftly reprimands them, instructing them to pack their belongings and leave. Before departing, Bob cryptically hints at a future confrontation with Danny.
As the evening concludes, Adam retires to bed, leaving Joe and Danny to check on Concho. A brawl erupts between Bob and Teller, prompting Danny to nearly drown Bob in the horse trough until Joe intervenes. Reminded of the consequences of violence in prison, Joe cautions Danny against resorting to such extremes.

Upon Ben’s return, Joe recounts the previous night’s events, assuring him that the altercation was resolved. However, Ben learns from Adam that Danny allegedly attempted to kill Bob. Unsure of the next course of action, Joe believes in Danny’s potential for reform despite their challenges.

Joe confronts Danny, insisting he was wrong and instructing him to pack his belongings for immediate departure. Danny complies but resorts to a deceitful act, slapping Concho’s rear to startle the horse into running towards Joe. Joe takes cover in a stall, momentarily stunned, providing Danny with an opportunity to seize a wooden pole and strike Joe unconscious before fleeing on Concho with Joe’s gun.

An hour later, at the Ponderosa, Joe begins to regain consciousness, surrounded by Ben, Adam, and Hoss. Ben reveals Anne’s admission of fault, prompting a determination to locate Danny. Joe intends to pursue Danny, but Ben asserts they will tackle the search together and depart early the following day. However, Joe later sneaks out on his own.
During the search, Joe eventually finds Danny asleep. A tense confrontation ensues, with Danny instinctively reaching for his gun. Joe disarms him, prompting a physical struggle where Danny gains the upper hand and seizes Joe’s gun. Puzzled by his hesitation to kill Joe, Danny drops the gun as Joe departs, emphasizing the importance of personal choice.

Upon returning home, Joe faces Ben’s admonishment but stands by his decision to let Danny decide his fate. Though disappointed, Ben orders Joe home. However, their conversation is interrupted when Hoss spots Danny approaching. Ben resolves to hold Danny accountable by ensuring he completes his unfinished chores before supper.

With tensions diffused, Joe and Danny share a reconciliatory moment. Danny returns Joe’s gun, and a friendly challenge to return to the ranch ensues. Danny discards the wood carving as they depart, symbolizing a fresh start.

Reflecting on the day’s events, Ben underscores the value of their friendship, transcending material wealth, as Hoss agrees.

Full Script and Dialogue of The Friendship

Pretty rough work
in all this heat,
especially with
those chains on 'em.
Animals, boy.
Don't deserve no better.
They have lunch yet?
Yeah.
Plus a ten minute break
every hour like your Pa wants.
He send you to check on me?
Look, my Pa's glad
to let the Territory put a
road through the Ponderosa.
He wants to make
sure they're treated fair
while they're
working on our ranch.
Yeah.
I'll treat 'em like
little lambs, boy.
Tell your Pa not to fret.
Want a drink?
No, not now.
Thanks anyway.
That's a nice-looking horse.
Yeah, I'm just breaking him in.
He's still a little bit nervous.
Look at him.
Clean clothes... full belly,
and a fine animal to take
him wherever he wants to go.
That Travis... one of these
days I'm going to get him good.
Yo, Kidd, one more word,
you'll do time in the hole.
Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Boy, that was close.
Hey, thanks a lot.
For what?
For what?! For saving my life.
Not for you, friend.
I just didn't want to
see your horse hurt.
Now, I ain't going
to tell you again.
Get on back to work!
He will in a minute, Travis,
when I get through
talking to him.
Well, do it quick.
Look, what's your name?
Kidd. Danny Kidd.
My name's Joe Cartwright.
I wish there was some
way I could repay you.
You want to repay me, huh?
Well, that's nice.
That's... that's real nice.
Just what do you think
you can do for me?
You just try me.
All right, friend.
There is something you can do.
Get these off of me.
Mr. Cartwright,
we appreciated the way
you treated our prisoners
when they were working on
the road through the Ponderosa,
but don't you
think it's carrying it
a little too far to want to free
somebody like Danny Kidd?
Well, Warden, we-we said
we-we wanted to
try and free him.
This letter from the
governor's a pretty good trying.
You know anything
about the prisoner?
Only that he saved my life.
Bring him in here.
Going to let him tell
you about himself,
and then you tell me
if you still want
to see him go free.
You know why you're here?
No.
This is Mr. Ben Cartwright
and his sons of the
Ponderosa Ranch.
They want to see
you turned loose.
I have a letter here
from the governor
granting you an amnesty.
But it also needs my signature.
You think I should
turn you loose?
You'll do what you
want to do, Warden.
How old are you, son?
Twenty-three.
How long have you been... here?
Ten years.
Since you was 13?
What'd you do?
I stabbed somebody with a fork.
Why?
He tried to steal my apple pie.
Well, that doesn't make sense.
How often you get
dessert with your meals?
Almost every night.
At the orphanage, they
gave it to us once a month.
Make sense to you now?
When did you lose your parents?
I was five years old.
And you've been... confined
to state institutions
all this time?
That's right, Mr. Cartwright,
but I don't call
it confined. I...
I call it caged.
Warden,
don't you think he's
been punished enough?
I understand what you're saying,
but this is a
prison, not a school.
If I had released him,
he'd have been back
inside of these walls
in less than a week.
He has no trade, no
one he can turn to.
He has now.
Do you know what you're
letting yourself in for?
He's like a wild animal.
He knows nothing
of honesty, decency.
He may even turn on
you, do you terrible harm.
You sign that amnesty, Warden.
He'll be my responsibility.
You'll be released
to Joseph Cartwright.
Behave yourself for one year,
and you'll get a
complete pardon.
But get one inch out of line,
and you'll spend the rest
of your days behind bars.
Do you understand?
I understand.
You'll leave with
the Cartwrights.
Just a minute, Kidd.
I got your possessions.
All we found on you
when you came
here ten years ago.
A hard case.
Not even a thank you.
Well, gentlemen, he's all yours.
I wish you luck.
Thank you very much,
Warden, for everything.
- Thank you.
- I appreciate...
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Well, little
brother, it looks like
you cut yourself
out quite a job.
Yeah.
Joseph...
you'll be riding back to
the ranch alone with Danny.
Hoss and I promised Mr. Carter
we'd find him a prize seed bull.
Oh, and remind Adam about
the party for Carter, huh?
All right, Pa. Hey, now, look.
Look, I don't want you to worry.
Danny and I are going
to get along real fine.
I hope so.
I certainly hope so.
You've taken on a
big responsibility, son.
I know that, sir.
Hey, Danny?
I'm sorry.
I don't like for anybody
to come up behind
me, quiet-like.
I'll remember that next time.
Is there anything wrong?
No. I... couldn't sleep.
Too many things to think about.
Hey, you want to talk about it?
The warden called me an animal.
You want to know what
an animal thinks about
the first night out of the cage?
Yeah, I'd like to hear it.
What do you see out there?
Well, nothing I
haven't seen before.
You know what you don't see?
Walls.
Wherever you look... no walls.
As long as I can remember,
I always looked at a wall.
Standing up, lying down...
Always there was
a wall in front of me.
They pressed you in,
made you a small little man.
♪♪
♪♪
Well, it's about time
you were getting here.
We'd about given
you up for lost.
I'm gone a couple of days,
and everybody starts to panic.
The only thing that's going
to panic around here is you
when you find out how your
back chores have piled up.
- Haven't you been doing my work for me?
- No.
Adam, this is Danny Kidd.
Danny, this is my older brother.
- Nice to know you.
- How do?
Well, everything
looks about the same.
Well, they are,
except for one thing.
Yeah, see, what I tell you?
What's the matter,
somebody steal the South 40?
No. It's Concho.
Concho. What's wrong with him?
He's down. Happened
this morning.
Tried to get him up on his
feet, but he couldn't make it.
That's the horse I was
riding out by the bridge.
- Where is he now?
- In the barn.
Let's go.
Danny, come on.
Yeah, it's pretty bad.
See, all the veins
are all distended.
The doctor looked
at him this morning.
He doesn't feel
anything can save him.
You gonna kill him?
I suppose we'll have to.
Why not give him a chance?
We don't like to
kill animals, Danny.
Seem like we have any choice.
Well, maybe not,
but, uh, I'd like to try.
You ever worked on sick horses?
At prison. I worked with
a stock. I learned a little.
It's gonna take more
than a little learning
to save this animal.
Well, do what you can.
Joe?
Hmm?
If I cure him, can I ride him?
If you cure him,
you can have him.
Could you use some help?
Yeah, I could use a little.
All right, where do we begin?
Well, uh, when a
horse gets down,
his insides stop working.
First thing we've got to
do is get him to his feet.
Oh, that's not gonna
be an easy job.
You got a block and
tackle and a bellyband?
Yeah, we got one someplace.
We'll, uh, hook it up
to that beam up there,
pull him to his feet, give him
enough support so he can stand.
And we'll heat up some
blankets and keep him warm.
The rest is up to him.
All right, let's get to work.
- That's it. Come on.
- Yeah, that's it...
Easy, boy.
Easy, boy.
So far, so good.
You got a kettle big
enough to boil blankets in?
Yeah, out back.
- Let's bring it in here.
- Right.
How long do we keep this up?
Till he gets well or dies.
♪♪
You know, I think
he's gonna be all right.
I know he's gonna be all right.
Hey, mind if I ask
you a question?
Ask away.
I've seen men work hard
for something they want,
but I've never seen
anybody work like you.
Why is it so important?
Those clothes you're
wearing, they yours?
These? Sure they are.
That gun you got,
it belong to you?
Yeah.
Fact is, everything you
have belongs to you,
that right?
I guess so.
Well, the only thing I remember
that belonged to me was this.
I was five years old.
After that,
everything I got was...
hand-downs and castoffs.
It was given to me,
but it was never mine.
Nothing was ever
mine again... till now.
Does that answer your question?
Yeah, I guess it does.
- How's the work going?
- Fine.
Except for getting
these new duds dirty.
Well, they fit pretty good.
- How's your horse?
- Oh, he's all right.
He's doing just fine.
Hey, look, we're having a
party up at the house tonight
for old man
Carter... He's the one
who sent Hoss and
Pa out after the bull.
- You gonna be there?
- You askin'?
Yeah, I'm askin'.
I'll be there.
- Okay, we'll see you later.
- Okay.
Come on, Teller,
give a man a chance.
Bob Stevens, you're
one good-looking cowboy.
No question about it.
You're one loud
cowboy, that's for sure.
Well, that's confidence.
A man needs confidence to
make the pretties notice him.
And I'm loaded with it.
You ready for tonight's doings?
Much as I'll ever be.
Now, you just keep
an eye on yours truly.
Do what he does, and
you'll get a pretty for yourself.
I'll try to remember that.
Hey, Teller, you know
what I need to set me off?
One of them nice,
bright neckerchiefs.
Why, to hide the dirt?
Yeah, so something
with color in it.
A real eye-catcher.
You got a tie, Teller?
No, anything I got
would be too plain for you.
Well, now, somebody around
here ought to have a good one.
Maybe that new guy.
Maybe he's got a
flashy one I could borrow.
Well, from what I've seen,
he don't even have a plain one.
Don't look to have
much of anything.
I'll take a look.
Well, look-a here!
Now, what's that?
Looks like some kind of
kid's toy or something, don't it?
What do you know.
Man his age playing
with stuff like that.
Put it down.
I said put it down.
All right, all right, don't
be so touchy about it.
I wasn't doing no harm.
I was just looking
for a neckerchief.
You got a nice, flashy
one I could borrow?
No.
Not even a little ol' plain one?
You must've got some pretty
poor wages at your last job.
You know where I come from.
Still, even in prison, you
must've got something.
I did.
Yeah, what?
An education.
They taught me not
to be a loudmouth.
Now, listen, hardcase,
you been walking around
with a chip on your shoulder
ever since you got here.
Fella that plays with
dolls can't be so tough.
Well, now, let's see how
they taught you to
fight in that prison.
I'm not gonna fight you.
What's the matter, you yellow?
Because you're not
worth going back to jail for.
Don't push your luck.
Aw, he's full of air!
Come on, let's go
find them pretties.
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
Hey, what's been keeping you?
We've been looking for you.
Oh, I was checking up on Concho.
Oh, I'd like you to
meet Ann Carter.
Ann, this is my
friend, Danny Kidd.
Hello, Danny. Little Joe's been
singing your praises all night.
Hey, look, you, uh, you
keep an eye on her for me.
I want to talk to her father.
He just bought a
big herd from us.
I want to make sure
he's having a good time.
- Mr. Carter.
- Oh.
How are you? Enjoying yourself?
It's a fine party,
Joseph, just fine.
I'm only sorry your father
couldn't get back in time.
You certainly are a quiet one.
No wonder I hadn't
heard about you.
Why, I'm supposed to know
all the boys for 50 miles around.
Well, I, uh...
I haven't been
around here too long.
That's a shame.
But, uh, I hope
you'll stay around,
because I think I
like you, Danny Kidd.
Oh.
I do declare, I think
you're blushing.
Well, I'm not...
not too, uh, good at
socializing with girls.
I don't believe that.
But I'll tell you what we'll do.
I'll teach you about
socializing with girls.
Miss Carter.
We'll start with
conversation later.
Put your arm around me.
What's that?
Well, put your arm around me.
For dancing, silly.
Oh.
Hey, look there, Bob.
You see what I see?
Yeah, I see it.
Looks like they
taught that old boy
lots of things in prison.
So he's talking to a girl.
Ann Carter happens to
be the prettiest girl here,
and she's talking
to him, not you.
Well, I could cut him
out like a calf in a corner.
Well, how come
you're still standing here
while she's dancing with him?
You know, you
ain't smart, Teller,
'cause you ask questions.
And when you're
smart, you got answers.
All right, smart boy,
what's the answer?
Look, so I go cut him out.
What happens? He
just comes back later.
So?
So a smart man...
cuts him out permanent.
It's very nice to see
old friends again, isn't it?
It's something we
should do more often.
I think it was very nice of Ben
- to have this party for us.
- Excuse me, folks.
Could I have a talk
with you, Mr. Carter?
Of course, Bob.
Excuse me just a moment.
What is it, son?
Well, sir, if I were the father
of a pretty girl like
Ann, I'd be more careful
with the type of
man she's seen with.
Say what you have to say.
What I'm saying is:
he's an ex-convict.
Are you positive about this?
We all know
about it, Mr. Carter.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Ann?
Dad, this is Danny Kidd.
Danny, this is my father.
Get your things. We're leaving.
I was just beginning
to have a good time.
Don't question me.
Do as I say.
Is there something
wrong, Mr. Carter?
Ann and I are
leaving, and right now.
I don't understand.
Well, I can see
why the Ponderosa
might hire an ex-convict...
but I can't understand
how you could allow him
to entertain my daughter.
Well, we didn't intend
to keep it a secret.
We just didn't
think that tonight
was the right time
to talk about it.
When my daughter's
welfare is concerned,
any time's the right time.
Good night, gentlemen.
Mr. Carter gets hot too easy.
He didn't mean it.
Look, we're sorry this happened.
I'd like to find out who did it.
I'm about to.
Just a minute.
Let us take care of this.
Did one of you tell
Mr. Carter about Danny?
You fighting his
battles for him?
I fight my own battles.
No, not here, not now.
We've got guests in the house.
Let's try to remember it.
All right, now, which one of
you told Mr. Carter about Danny?
Well, you know, when
old Bob makes up his mind,
it's kind of hard to
get him to change it.
Both of you, get back
to the bunkhouse.
Oh, I don't take
orders from you.
Look here, it was your dad
that hired us, not you two.
Pack your gear.
I'll have your wages
ready in ten minutes.
Might be we'll meet up sometime,
settle our differences.
I think we'd better
get back to our guests.
All right, come on,
everybody, let's dance.
♪♪
I'll get you some punch.
Good night, Betty.
Good night, Rob.
Oh, boy, am I glad that's over.
Well, I'm for bed.
How about you guys?
Oh, I think I'll have
a look at Concho.
- Yeah, I'll go with you.
- See you tomorrow.
- Right. Take it easy, Adam.
- Good night.
Let's get a drink.
Okay.
You think you can take him?
Just watch me.
You want it real bad, don't you?
That's what I'm
here for, little friend.
I figure I can handle you, too.
Yeah, well, you're
going to have to, Teller.
W-W-Wait. Wait a minute.
What's the matter with you?
I'm not going to
fight you, friend.
I'm going to kill you.
Danny!
Danny, let him up. Let him up.
You're going to kill him.
Get him out of here, fast!
Come on.
Get up.
What's the matter with you?
You trying to kill him?
That's the reason
for fighting, isn't it?
No, it isn't.
Stevens was sore, but
he didn't want to kill you.
In prison, you got a man down,
you made sure he stayed down.
You didn't, he'd get you.
A week, a month, a
year... Time didn't matter.
One day, you'd turn your
back and he'd get you.
Maybe that's the
way it is in prison,
but it doesn't work
that way on the outside.
Now, you were
wrong... Real wrong.
I make a habit of being wrong.
Maybe you were wrong in
taking me out of that cage.
When I think I'm
wrong, I'll tell you.
Hi. Welcome home, Pa.
Adam said you wanted to see me.
Yes, I do.
Understand you had a
little trouble here last night.
Yeah, well, if,
uh... if you mean
that trouble with
Mr. Carter, that was...
Uh-uh.
No, I don't mean the
trouble with Mr. Carter.
As a matter of fact, I, uh...
I saw Mr. Carter in
Virginia City earlier today.
Naturally, he was
concerned for Ann,
but he understood
what we were...
you know, what
we were trying to do.
No, I was referring
to the, uh...
the trouble that came later.
Oh, yeah.
You-you must be
talking about the fight.
Well, that... that
wasn't anything.
We settled that.
Adam tells me that, uh,
Danny tried to kill Bob Stevens.
Is that right?
Yes, that's right.
Why?
Did, uh... did... did Bob
provoke him so much
that he had to try to kill him?
Well, maybe Danny
thought he did.
Do you think he did?
No.
No, not enough to kill him.
What do you intend
doing about it?
I wish I knew.
Joseph.
Now, you know you have the
power to send him back to prison
if that's what you want to do.
Look, Pa, we knew it wasn't
going to be easy with Danny.
He's so used to being
inside, in that cage where...
where people feel
it's kill or be killed,
it's just hard for him
to get used to being
with people on the
outside... That's all.
And you think you can get him
used to being with
people on the outside?
Yes, I think so.
I think it's going to take
time, but I think I can do it.
It's quite a responsibility.
The kind of responsibility
you can't just put
on and take off
like a suit of clothes.
Once you accept it, it
becomes part of you.
Something you'll have
to live with all your life.
Understand that?
Yes, sir, I understand that.
All right.
Thanks.
Well, don't look so fierce.
I only wanted to surprise you.
What is this anyhow?
Oh, it's... it's only something
I carry around for luck.
A doll.
Seems to me a grown-up man
should have grown-up things.
Miss Carter, I don't
think your dad's
going to like you
being out here.
My father?
Papa's looking
at that prize bull
Mr. Cartwright
brought back for him.
That's all he's thinking about.
What are you thinking
about, Mr. Kidd?
Is it true you spent
all those years in jail?
It's true.
What was it like?
If you got about ten years,
I'll give you a
day-by-day account of it.
No wonder you were
so awkward and shy.
I'll bet I was the first
girl you were ever with.
That's right.
And I'll bet you've never
held a girl in your arms.
Or kissed.
No, Miss Carter.
I've never kissed a girl.
I think I'd like
to be the first.
Please.
Stay away from me.
Never had to throw
myself at a man before.
I've always had
to push them away.
Don't tell me you're
afraid, Mr. Kidd.
No, I'm not afraid.
I promise not to struggle.
Too hard.
Why, you certainly don't know
anything about women, do you?
I'm sorry. I had
no right to do that.
Ann, Ann, what happened?
He grabbed me!
He tore my blouse!
Why did you have to do it?
Why did you have to
prove everybody else is right
and I'm wrong?
You just wouldn't let
me help you, would you?
All right, I guess I am wrong.
And now I'm gonna take you back.
Just like that, huh?
Just like that.
Pack your things,
we're gonna leave now.
Sure, friend.
Whatever you say.
♪♪
Welcome back.
How long have I been out?
About an hour.
Well, he hits hard.
Is he gone?
Yeah, he's gone.
Ann came out to the pasture.
She was pretty upset.
And did she tell
you what happened?
Yeah.
Said it was all her fault.
She said it was her fault?
She admitted she'd been
teasing him pretty badly.
Well, you know how she is.
You're always set
to go off half-cocked
without hearing things
out, ain't you, little brother?
I should've known better.
Too bad Danny
isn't around to hear it.
Yeah. We're gonna have
to find him, there's no telling
what he'll do now.
Pa, let me go after
him. He'll listen to me.
Pa, you got to let me go.
I don't have to do anything.
And from here on in,
we're in this thing together.
Is that understood?
We'll get an early start.
He doesn't know
this country too well
so it shouldn't be
too hard to find him.
Come on, let's get you to bed.
No, just... let me
sit here for awhile.
You'll be all right?
Yeah.
♪♪
Mmm. What's for breakfast?
For you? Half a cow.
Ha! Been off of
that diet a month.
Did you wake up Little Joe?
He wasn't in his
room, Pa. I figured...
- Are the horses ready?
- Yeah.
Let's go.
♪♪
You'll never make it.
Was I that easy to follow?
Just like a herd of cows.
I never had much practice.
What happens now?
We go back.
To the ranch or...
It's not up to me now.
The family will have to decide.
But we know the truth
about you and Ann.
You think that will
make a difference?
Yeah, I think so.
Well... let's go find out.
I should've killed
you back at the barn.
Well, why didn't you?
I let you live, I
figured you let me live,
but it didn't work out that way.
Why don't you go
ahead and use it, Danny?
Why don't you go
ahead and kill me?
I don't know.
You want to know why?
'Cause you're not an animal.
You've had to live like
an animal for a long time,
but you're not an animal.
Sure, you've made some mistakes.
You're gonna make
a lot more mistakes.
But you've got friends
to stick by you now...
if you just let them.
You mean proving myself to
everybody I meet from now on?
I'd rather go back to the cage.
A man has to make
his own decisions.
If you don't think
we'll treat you fair...
keep right on going
the way you were.
♪♪
Joseph, sometimes
you make me very angry.
Sorry, Pa. I did what
I figured I had to do.
Did you find him?
Yeah, I found him.
You can tell that by
looking at his face.
Where you got him tied up, Joe?
I don't have him
tied up. I let him go.
Well, that was pretty
foolish, too, wasn't it?
- No, I don't think so.
- How come?
Look, all his life
he's had people
doing his thinking for
him, telling him what to do,
it was exactly the same with us.
So I decided to let him
make his decision himself.
He had one more
year to prove himself
and then he'd be on his own.
But he couldn't even
wait out that one year!
So, son, you're gonna
ride back to the ranch
and we're gonna find him.
- Now, look, Pa...
- Joseph!
I'm tired and I'm hungry,
and I don't want to hear
another word about it.
Get going.
Hey, hey, Pa, look there.
Hey, Joe!
Wait a minute!
I knew it, Pa. I knew it.
It's kind of wonderful, Joseph.
No matter how old a man gets
he can always
learn something new.
I offer no excuses,
Mr. Cartwright, and...
I'll accept any decision
you hand down.
Well, Danny, I
noticed when you left,
your chores were only half done.
Try to get them
finished before supper.
Well, Joe, uh...
I believe this belongs to you.
Me and my nag will race you
and that fleabag
back to the ranch.
All right.
Ya-ha!
There go two very
wealthy young men.
What do you mean, Pa?
Well, they have something
that all the money
in the world can't buy.
It's called friendship.

Behind the Scenes of The Friendship

This episode is notable for a departure from the usual setting, as the house fire is conspicuously absent.

Little Joe’s horse drags him, presumably because his foot is trapped in the stirrup. However, upon closer inspection, we notice his ankle secured to the saddle with a strap and snap. The angle changes, revealing Joe freeing his foot from the stirrup without any strap visible.

In an early scene where Little Joe converses with the prison warden, a man can be seen hammering over the warden’s right shoulder, accompanied by the sound of metal striking metal. It becomes apparent that the hammering is staged, as the man’s arm halts before the hammer reaches the spike, indicating he isn’t striking anything.

Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?

Bonanza is a remarkably wholesome series suitable for solo viewing and family entertainment. The Friendship marks the 74th episode out of 430. Produced by NBC, Bonanza graced their network from September 1959 to January 1973, encompassing 14 seasons.

You can find more about any of the 430 Bonanza episodes here>>