Ep 23. The Guilty

The Guilty is the 23rd episode of season 3 of the popular western television series Bonanza. The episode revolves around a wandering artist named Josiah Carey, who arrives in Virginia City looking for work. He soon finds himself accused of murder when one of his paintings is found at the scene of a crime.

The story begins with Josiah Carey coming to Virginia City, hoping to sell some of his artwork. He's a talented painter, but he's also a drifter, and he's had trouble finding steady work. He shows some of his paintings to Ben Cartwright, the owner of the local ranch, who is impressed with his skill. Ben offers him a job painting a portrait of his son Adam. Josiah accepts the offer, but he's not in Virginia City for long before he's accused of murder.

The murder victim is a local businessman named Sam Perkins, who was shot and killed in his own home. When the sheriff arrives on the scene, he finds one of Josiah's paintings on the wall, and assumes that Josiah must have been the killer. The painting is of a beautiful woman in a red dress, and the sheriff thinks that it might be a portrait of Sam's wife, who was having an affair with another man.

Josiah protests his innocence, but the evidence against him is damning. The blood on the painting matches Sam Perkins' type, and there are no other suspects. The town is quick to assume that Josiah must be guilty, and they start to turn against him.

Ben Cartwright is convinced that Josiah is innocent, and he takes it upon himself to help prove his innocence. He's concerned that the real killer might still be out there, and that they might try to frame Josiah for another crime.

Ben starts his investigation by talking to the witnesses who saw Josiah in town on the day of the murder. He discovers that Josiah had been in a saloon, playing cards with some of the local miners. He also finds out that Josiah had been in love with a local woman named Sarah, who was also Sam Perkins' mistress. Ben suspects that there might be a connection between Josiah's love for Sarah and the murder.

As Ben continues his investigation, he uncovers a number of clues that suggest that Josiah might have been framed. He finds out that the painting was stolen from Josiah's studio, and that someone might have planted it at the murder scene. He also discovers that Sarah might have had a motive for killing Sam, because he was planning to leave her and go back to his wife.

Ben's investigation leads him to a climactic confrontation with the real killer, and the truth about the murder is finally revealed. The episode ends on a hopeful note, as Josiah is exonerated and the real killer is brought to justice.

Overall, The Guilty is a well-crafted episode that captures the essence of the Bonanza series. The story is tightly plotted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the viewer engaged. The performances are strong, particularly by Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright, who carries the episode with his quiet determination to clear Josiah's name. The western setting adds to the atmosphere, with plenty of gunfights, horseback rides, and dusty landscapes to evoke the spirit of the old west. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this enjoyable episode.