A Time to Die

 

 

 

First shown March 21st 1971

 

'Ben's friend, April Christopher, is bitten by a wolf that's suspected to be rabid. The wolf is tracked down and killed, and its carcass is sent to San Francisco for analysis. The Cartwrights and April wait for the results, but April shows symptoms of rabies even before the results come back.'

 

Guest Stars: Vera Miles as April Christopher, Melissa Newman as Lori Christopher, Henry Beckman as Dr Phelps, Rance Howard as Sam, Kimberly Beck as Girl.

**********

 

This is an excellent episode with wonderful performances from Lorne and also from Vera Miles as April. The script of a woman dying from rabies explores a very difficult issue and is one of those much deeper, later episodes that are extremely satisfying, even though so sad.

The experienced writer Don Ingalls provides a great script with the strong, courageous and positive role of April; by now Bonanza was doing women real justice. The chemistry between Lorne and Vera makes this a very fine episode and I was reminded of Lorne's vast experience on stage by the range of skills that he demonstrates.

Hoss and Joe appear little but are quietly supportive of Ben. Jamie is upset and bewildered by all that is happening and my only
criticism of this episode is that none of the Cartwrights really help him through this time. I would have expected a Ben/Jamie talk or the same from Hoss or Joe and I think this is not well handled in Ingall's script. I actually think the episode would have been better without Jamie and perhaps more of Hoss and Joe helping Ben.

The story is about April's return to Nevada after being widowed and her plans to build a new house for herself and her daughter near the Ponderosa. She suffers a wolf bite early in the episode and this is treated by Dr.Phelps who is very well portrayed by Harry Beckman doing the best for his patient but fearing the worst.

The symptoms of rabies are shown through a man called Sam, restrained in the Virginia City jail, and the drama builds as the laboratory results of a rabies test on April are awaited.

The episode intermingles April's strong suspicion that she does have rabies, a great party at the Ponderosa and an unfulfilled romance with Ben where each is attracted to the other. Additionally her daughter Lori has arrived, wishing to be married, and April makes the heartbreaking decision for the marriage to be away in San Francisco to spare her daughter pain. (April is one woman whom I thought would have been an excellent fourth wife for Ben.)

The great scenes in this episode are where Ben and April struggle with her untimely death and it is ultimately their friendship that
strengthens them both. We do not see April die but the episode ends with Ben and the doctor driving her into the Virginia City hospital as the end nears.

Definitely one of the finer later season episodes and a super treat
for the Ben fans.