Bonanza - The Quality of Mercy | Episode 143 | Best Western Series | Wild West | English

Free Western Classic: Bonanza - Episode 143 - The Quality of Mercy - Little Joe struggles with his conscience, trying to believe that his friend, Seth Pruitt, did the right thing after Seth admits to the mercy-killing of his fiancée's father when the man was in agony from a broken back and begging for death

The Quality of Mercy
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Writer: Peter Packer
Stars: Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker
Genre: Western
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 17 November 1963 USA
Filming Locations: Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Storyline:
Investigating a mine cave-in, Joe Cartwright finds his friend Seth Pruitt (Richard Rust standing over the dead body of Seth's future father-in-law. Admitting to murder, Seth explains that the dead man suffered extensive injuries in the cave-in, and begged to be killed rather than live out his life as a cripple. Seth then swears Joe to secrecy, out of respect for the feelings of Seth's intended bride Sara (Nancy Rennick). Throughout the rest of the episode, Joe agonizes over his promise to Seth, wondering if his decision to remain silent is morally defensible. A surprise ending caps Peter Packer's riveting teleplay.

Reviews:
"Michael Landon as Little Joe takes center stage in this Bonanza episode which involves a daring topic for its time, mercy killing.

It's not any Dr. Kevorkian doing in terminally people, but Richard Rust who during a mine cave-in kills his future father-in-law. Little Joe who heard the shot was the only witness. Rust tells him that he did it because the man's back was broken in the disaster and that he was in agony. He did it like anyone would do for a suffering animal.

This was certainly an unusual topic for a western, but Landon goes to Lorne Greene for some sage advice and if there's one thing Ben Cartwright was always handy with was sage advice. He talks quite seriously about the difference between people and animals and the force of nature in a struggle to survive.

It might have been a better episode if the plot hadn't been tilted towards the fact that the killing was not as it appeared to be. More I won't say, still this is an interesting and thought provoking Bonanza episode." Written by bkoganbing on IMDb.com

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