Ep 17. Alias Joe Cartwright

During Bonanza season 5 episode 17 entitled "Alias Joe Cartwright," the Cartwright family faces another crisis that tests their resolve and loyalty to one another. The episode opens with Joe being accused of robbing a stagecoach. Not only does this accusation split the family apart, but it also puts Joe's life in danger as he is pursued by a posse intent on capturing him.

The episode is set in the late 1800s and showcases the challenges of living in a lawless frontier with no legal system in place to protect the innocent. The episode begins with Joe returning to the Ponderosa ranch after taking care of some personal business out of town. However, upon his arrival, Joe finds out that the stagecoach he was riding on has been robbed and that the driver and a passenger have been killed. The local sheriff, who has never been a fan of the Cartwright family, immediately accuses Joe of the crime.

Ben and Adam are quick to defend Joe, but Hoss, uncertain of Joe's innocence, begins to consider the possibility that his younger brother could be guilty. This disagreement causes a rift in the family, and tensions continue to rise as the hunt to capture Joe intensifies.

Joe, meanwhile, is on the run from the law, determined to prove his innocence and clear his name. He is pursued by a posse, but his knowledge of the terrain and his survival skills allow him to stay ahead of them. As he dodges the posse, he also tries to find out who the real robbers are and what their motivations were.

Along the way, Joe meets a young woman named Anne, who is also trying to clear her name. She has been accused of being an accomplice to the robbery and is on the run. Joe and Anne work together to evade the posse and find evidence that will clear both of their names.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Cartwright family is dealing with the aftermath of the robbery. Ben and Adam try to gather evidence to prove Joe's innocence, while Hoss struggles with his doubts about his brother. The tension between the family members reaches a boiling point when Hoss confronts Joe, accusing him of being the real robber.

The climax of the episode is full of suspense and action as Joe and Anne finally confront the real robbers, leading to a showdown that will determine their fates. Throughout the episode, there are also elements of comedy, as is typical of the show, such as Hoss's interactions with a bumbling and ineffectual deputy.

Overall, "Alias Joe Cartwright" is a thrilling episode that tests the bonds of the Cartwright family. It showcases the dangers of a lawless frontier and the importance of loyalty and trust. The episode also highlights the importance of justice and the lengths one will go to prove their innocence.