EL JEFE
El Jefe - first shown
'The Cartwrights help Ramon Cardenas, who is charged with
murder. Ramon killed one of Owen Driscoll's men in self defence. Driscoll
Mining Company wanted to buy Ramon's land, and the land of other Mexicans, for 50
cents and acre. When he refused Owen Driscoll tried to burn him out.'
Guest Stars: Warren Stevens as Owen Driscoll, Jaime Sanchez
as Ramon Cardenas, Rodolfo Acosta as Sheriff, Shug Fisher as Toler, Pepe Hern
as Rojas, Troy Melton as Graves, Anna Navarro as Sara.
*****
I found this episode to be pretty boring I'm afraid! The
story line is alright – Mexican farmers are being forced off their land near
the town of
An honest farmer, Ramon Cardenas, is shot for defending his home and the
sheriff imprisons his wife, apparently to exchange for Ramon who is hiding at
the Ponderosa. The only witness was an old prospector – Zack Toler.
Ben and Hoss become embroiled in this lack lustre story which has far too
little of the Cartwrights for my liking. There is virtually no Joe, a little of
Hoss and a bit more of Ben. To me Lorne and Dan were being pushed into a
supporting role in a cast of not very interesting characters.
The best were the puzzling Sheriff Arranda (well played by Rodolfo Hoyes) and
the stereotyped but likeable prospector Zack Toler (also well played by Shug
Fisher). Sheriff Arranda turns out to be an honest and fair minded man in the
end, with a wise understanding of White and Mexican behaviour. Another nice
twist is the fact that, despite his name, he was Indian/Irish so not on either
side.
Comment: I did enjoy Joe in a rust red shirt! I decided that it must have been
passed on from Adam as Joe had filled out a bit by now and could have worn a
shirt of Adam's LOL!!! Only kidding but this episode needed a little light
relief for me!