Bonanza - Showdown

Set in Nevada in the 1860's, Bonanza chronicled the adventures of the Cartwright family who owned a large ranch called The Ponderosa. Ben Cartwright and his three sons, Adam, Hoss, and Joe fought for what was just and decent in a time where lawlessness was common.

The widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright had three sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright, who built the ranch house. The second was the warm and lovable giant Eric, better known by his nickname "Hoss." And the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe." They all lived and worked on The Ponderosa. Nearby Virginia City helped populate the episodes with guest starring characters from all over America.

Broadcast between September 1959 and January 1973. Filmed by the National Broadcasting Company at Paramount Studios.

"Showdown"
Season 2
Episode 1

The show opens with the Virginia City bank being robbed. One of the robbers - Sam Kirby - gets hired on at the Ponderosa to keep the others abreast of the search activity while they wait for things to die down. All the Cartwrights but Joe think Sam is okay. Joe has his suspicions about Kirby and decides to find out the truth on his own.