THE GOLD MINE
Episode First Shown:
The Cartwrights try to help a Mexican boy who was sold to two abusive masters. The boy has made a gold strike which his masters are trying to steal.
I found the story
line to be powerful - the exploitation of a Mexican family living in poverty
and forced to sell their oldest son into virtual slave labour. Painfully topical
today in too many parts of the world.
The complex story gradually unfolds as the Mexican boy Ramon comes under the
care and kindness of the Cartwrights but, because of lies from his outlaw
captors, Bayliss and Rader, he is afraid of retribution against his family. Consequently
he still helps the outlaws only to find that they have captured Joe too.
When sent to fetch firewood for his captors, Ramon misunderstands and brings
back rocks which turn out to be gold-bearing. Bayliss and Rader try to stake a
false claim for themselves.
After several twists and turns in the story, the Cartwrights and Candy arrive
at the assay office in the nick of time and Ramon proudly signs his own name to
the claim.
Some minor negative points for me: there is an over-long scene where the
outlaws get drunk and mentally torture Ramon, not nice to watch and takes away Cartwright/Candy
time. Candy really doesn't have
anything to do except just be there in this episode.
Some major good points: early on there are some nice kind gestures where the
Cs, Candy and Ramon pat horses and burros. (Aaaawww - I'm a softy but I like
things like that.) Some great insights from the Cartwrights, visual expressions
and delivery of lines, as they begin to realise the dreadful life Ramon is
living. Bruce Dern as Bayliss and Ross Hagen as Rader give very good
performances as the horrible
outlaws; I really did hate them! Tony de Costa gives a fine performance as
Ramon and the script and direction avoid racial stereotype traps. I found that
I really wanted him to be saved and have a good life.
I liked Joe speaking Spanish - he must have studied a lot since "Ponderosa
Matador" LOL! Light hearted note - Hoss gets a lot smarter outdoor coat
than his early years "yak hair" model!!
On a serious note a nice Ben touch of generosity at the end. Hoss comments that
the deposit of money that Ben put into Ramon's new bank account exceeds the
worth of the gold mine. Ben says that he is so
grateful that he was never forced to sell a son. Isn't that why we love Ben and
his sons?
Location details: a very good aerial shot of the tourist ranch in the beginning
and the famous Vasquez Rocks provides the venue for outdoor adventure. Poor Joe
- first fear of heights here in "Between Heaven
and Earth" and then getting captured by outlaws this time around. Luckily
Ben came to the rescue on both occasions!
Overall a pretty good episode and worth watching.
Hilary
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