Episode 20 - THE FEAR MERCHANTS

[Episode Guide]

Date: January 30, 1960

Summary: Bigotry rears its ugly head in Virginia City in the form of mayoral candidate Andy Fulmer. Chinese citizens are the victims of its wrath and the Cartwrights are deputized to help fend off violence and disaster.

Written by: Fred Unger, Thomas Thompson
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Guest Stars: Andrew Fulmer...Gene Evans, Amanda Ridley...Helen Westcott, Mr. Ridley...Frank Ferguson, Jesse Tibbs...Christopher Dark, Jimmy Chang...Guy Lee, Billy Wheeler...Ray Stricklyn, Lee Chang...Philip Ahn, Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung, Sally Ridley...Patricia Michon, Cyrus Hammond...Arthur Space, Sheriff Halstead...Gregg Barton, Judge...Alexander Campbell, Chinese Elder...Peter Chong, Bob Miles...(uncredited extra) Bill Clark...(uncredited extra).


gif image courtesy of Gillie

[RedShirt]

Saw this one this afternoon. Sure felt like something that could have come right out of today's headlines.

[daisy60]

So sad how people were and still are treated terribly because of race or color of their skin. Jimmy Chang was someone I would have liked to call my friend. At least he had the Cartwrights behind him.

[RedShirt]

"a tired platform," Adam called it. If it was tired 60 years ago -- and it was, no question -- how has it come to rampaging in our streets today?

I liked Jimmy. Not so much the blond boy with the attitude.

D'you know, the surviving sister of that pair was an interesting woman. I wonder what became of her?

[debpet2]

Unfortunately, the kind of bigotry shown in this episode is still all too prevalent in our world today. People have to find someone to blame for the difficulties in their lives, and people of a different ethnic group make a handy scapegoat.

debpet2

[RedShirt]

I'd like to think that we're all working to get better; but the last few days have made me wonder if we're getting anywhere.

[Drifter]

I can’t help but think that Amanda could use grief counseling. I mean, her mother was already dead and it was implied she took on that role. Then her sister is shot, and her father not too long after. I get life can be rough in the west, and it’s an episode, but that seems a bit much for one person to deal with even though she didn’t hold a grudge over what happened.

And what would happen to her, considering it’s the 1860s and woman weren’t expected to really survive on their own?

[PlatoofthePonderosa]

Wow, that's right. She lost her sister and her father. And she still seemed to be carrying a lot of bitterness from her mother's death and the difficult years following.

[rogell]

I'm not sure when Pernell Roberts decided to leave Bonanza, but I think this episode was a very poignant one and I would hope that he was happy with the results. I think the writers of this episode did a wonderful job showing how bigotry can poison the minds of many when only a few spew their hateful words. Of course it has its Bonanza spin with the Cartwrights helping to set the town straight but it is an episode that was relevant in the 1800, in the 1960s when it was written and even now.

Btw. I wonder if it convicted the hearts of some of those watching in the 60s.

[dougsgirl]

I just watched this one tonight. Boy the things people will do when the "hate" another race. Luckily Jimmy had the Cartwright's on his side.