Bonanza is one of the longest-running primetime Western dramas loved by many Americans during its time. The adventures of the Cartwright family as they live on the fictional Ponderosa ranch continue for 14 seasons. John Twist wrote Badge Without Honor, the second season’s third episode, which debuted on television on September 24, 1960.

Gerald Eskith (Dan Duryea) poses as a federal marshal as he arrives in Virginia City with a subpoena for Jason Blaine (Fred Beir). According to Eskith, Jason must travel with him to San Francisco to testify in the infamous Murdock gang trial. Suspicious of the alleged lawman, Adam Cartwright insists on traveling with the two men on their journey even though he owes Eskith his life.

Read the plotline, including some interesting trivia, or watch the episode below.

Watch the Full Episode of Badge Without Honor

Watch the Full Episode of Badge Without Honor:

Main Cast

Aside from Bonanza’s leading actors, the second season’s third episode, Badge Without Honor, also featured some of the program’s recurring and supporting cast members. The cast includes the following:

• Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
• Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
• Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
• Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
• Dan Duryea as U.S. Dep. Marshal Gerald Eskith
• Fred Beir as Jason Blaine
• Christine White as Mariette Blaine
• Wendell Holmes as Judge Rand
• Richard Warren as Gideon Clevenger
• James Hong as Number One, Hop Sing’s Cousin
• Rod McGaughy as Clevenger Ranch Hand (uncredited)
• Bob Miles as Bill Clevenger (uncredited)
• Cosmo Sardo as Bartender (uncredited)
• Jack Tornek as Scared Townsman on Horse (uncredited)

Full Story Line for Badge Without Honor

Gerald Eskith, a U.S. deputy marshal, traveling to Virginia City, saves Adam Cartwright from an ambush. He claims that the Clevenger brothers are wanted in California for bank robbery—that killing the older brother was only part of him performing his official duty.

Ben welcomes Eskith at the Ponderosa and expresses his gratitude for saving Adam. As Hoss and Joe accompany Eskith inside their home, Ben asks Adam if there’s anything he wants to tell him. Adam believes that even though those were the roughest bunch of renegades, it’s unlikely for them to take a shot at him. Ben thinks it’s best not to underestimate them since they lost someone, and Adam even has the ranch payroll with him. Adam thinks they thought of him as someone else, but Ben reminds him that the marshal has a warrant for them. However, Adam is unconvinced, seeing Eskith wasn’t even a little upset about it.

Inside, Eskith notices the fencing sword on the house. Little Joe and Hoss show their fencing skill to their guest. Although Joe’s skill is admirable, Eskith thinks his technique is not entirely flawless, then demonstrates how to do it through a fight. Eskith wins, but Little Joe comments on how his last strike could have been fatal.

Eskith asks the Cartwrights if they know Jason Blaine. Ben says they know him very well, including his wife, which Jason married about a year ago. Eskith finds it fascinating how Jason married someone.

At dinner, the Cartwrights enjoy the stories shared by Eskith. Eskith expressed his regret upon meeting Adam under unpleasant circumstances but thanked him for being able to meet wonderful friends in the Cartwrights.

The following day, Ben and Adam accompany Eskith to town to meet Jason Blaine. As Eskith goes to Jason’s house, Ben and Adam go to do their tasks in town.

Eskith prepares his gun before knocking at Blaine’s door. Jason’s wife, Mariette, opens the door as Eskith acts like he is leaving. Eskith introduced himself as Jason’s old friend. He then comments on Jason’s mineralogy, stating he found a true jewel in his wife. Mariette invites him inside as they wait for Jason.

Adam stumbles upon Jason and then asks if he has met his old friend. Jason wonders which friend Adam refers to, then his expression darkens upon hearing Eskith’s name.

Back at the Blaines’ house, Eskith and Mariette converse about the couple’s jewelry. Eskith was putting a lovely pearl necklace on Mariette when Jason arrived. Eskith brings up the Sacramento case, where Jason was the chief prosecution witness. When Mariette asks if it’s a private matter between the two, Eskith states that his business is a public matter as a law enforcement officer, subtly implying that she should hear about it too. Mariette excuses herself to make some tea. Eskith asks Jason if Mariette knows about it, but Jason can’t do so since she’s almost part of the Cartwright family. Mariette comes back and asks Jason what’s the matter. Jason assures her it’s nothing. Eskith tells her that Jason’s testimony will be against the most dangerous forces in Northern California, but she doesn’t have to worry since he’ll have Jason in protective custody. He also tells the Blaines they’ll leave tomorrow at noon.

When Eskith left, Jason felt regret about trying to run away. He thought he had the right to be happy with Mariette but running away only worsened things. Jason decides to leave with Eskith, even with the danger it’ll bring.

At the hotel, Adam tells Ben about Jason’s worried expression upon hearing about Eskith. He wonders if Eskith arrived in town as Jason’s friend or on official duty. Ben thinks Jason’s been a good man since his arrival. Adam suggests they talk to Jason and Mariette to check if everything’s well.

Jason was looking through a bunch of paperwork when Eskith arrived, asking if he was going somewhere. Jason argues that he was young back then. Eskith searched for him in various places, only to discover that Jason had changed his name several times. He also mentioned going to the judge to present his credentials regarding the Clevenger brothers. Eskith also plans to see Jason’s friend, Gideon, before Gideon sees him first. Jason wants Eskith to kill him first since it’s his plan anyway, but Eskith has his plan and time for that, and he finds Jason’s wife lovely.

Adam visits Mariette, who gladly welcomes him because he hasn’t seen Adam for so long. Adam asks where Jason and Mariette explain that he went to his office to pick up some things. Seeing Mariette’s concerned expression, Adam assures her that she’s a family to them and that they’re always there to help. Adam asks her about Eskith. Mariette tried to lie at first but broke down after. She tells him that Jason has to go to California to testify in a trial against people who might kill him. Although she suggested going to the judge, Jason believed it wouldn’t do any good. Adam advised they’d go to the judge instead to help Jason. Mariette is pleased to hear his suggestion and prepares to accompany him.

Adam and Mariette are talking to judge Rand when Eskith cuts their conversation abruptly with his arrival. He introduces himself as a deputy marshal and presents some documents regarding his visit to the town. Judge Rand informs him about Mariette’s concern regarding the potential danger her husband will face when he testifies in Sacramento. Eskith acknowledges this since the trial involves the Murdoch gang terrorizing the state. He believes that Jason is the only person who can send these criminals to their proper sentences. Judge Rand thinks it’s only reasonable for Jason to testify upon hearing Eskith’s statement. Adam recalls his plan to visit Sacramento, then suggests changing his plans so he can travel with them to make Mariette feel better.

Judge Rand talks to Adam and Eskith about the Clevenger brothers. Eskith tells him that there’s a warrant for the brothers’ arrest. Rand tells them that Gideon Clevenger visited Ben, then warns Eskith that it might be dangerous if he stays in town if Gideon thinks of putting the law in his hands for his sons’ deaths.

Mariette finds Jason in their house and gladly explains their conversation with the judge. The news upsets Jason; he thinks Adam shouldn’t come with him since he might die along the way. Mariette begs to know the truth, so Jason tells her that the Murdoch gang won’t let him arrive in Sacramento alive and that they sent Eskith to kill him. Jason tells her Eskith is a hired killer and that there’s nothing they can do. Mariette suggests they run away and go into hiding, assuring him they’ll succeed now that there are two of them.

Meanwhile, Adam and Eskith talk about their Sacramento trip. Adam believes it’s time he knows the truth, so Eskith tells him that Jason is a missing criminal. Eskith also tells Adam that he protected Jason’s reputation, even to his wife, by listing him as a witness instead of an accused in the documents. Eskith stays in the hotel, then tells Adam they’ll go to Sacramento in the morning.

The Clevengers, led by Gideon, arrives in town to look for Eskith. He offers to live in Virginia City in exchange for Gerald Eskith, or he’ll get his men to ride in town. Adam informs Eskith about Gideon and that the Cartwrights will back him up.

Eskith faces Gideon with his planned strategy. Eskith acts as if the sun made his eyes watery, then reaches for his gun. He fires at Gideon, who fails to draw his weapon in time. Before he falls unconscious, Gideon asserts Eskith to finish his job. Ben calls for a doctor to see Gideon’s condition; fortunately, he’s alive.

Mariette exits her room and finds Eskith reading a book. Eskith compliments her, saying she gets lovelier each time he sees her. He also tells her that judge Rand wishes to have him return to Sacramento immediately. Mariette thinks it’s too soon and she hasn’t met anyone like him. Eskith asks him to visit the hotel to tell him once Jason is ready to leave. Just then, he checks the room and finds Jason nowhere in the house. Eskith slaps Mariette, who falls to the floor.

At the hotel, Gideon reveals to judges Rand, Adam, and Ben that Eskith is the Murdoch gang’s hatchet man called “Dude Butcher Boy.” He also believes Eskith came to lead Jason to the slaughter since he knew too much as the gang’s spotter. Gideon tells them about his sons: Eskith killed the oldest in California, while the other two only mistook Adam for Eskith. Ben thinks it’s foolish for Jason to hide his problem, but judge Rand believes he only did it because he wouldn’t want to ruin his reputation, especially for his wife, Mariette.

Adam finds Mariette on the floor of the house. She tells him that Jason escaped, and Eskith slapped and told him terrible things about her husband. Mariette realized Eskith had stolen her trail map to take her to Jason. Adam calms her down, then leaves to save Jason.

Eskith lies about Mariette’s death at the mines so Jason can reveal his location. Both men cautiously walk through the mines, guns aimed at each other. Eskith jumps and then successfully shoots Jason’s shoulder. Jason shouts to inform Adam of their location at the mines before Eskith knocks him down. Eskith wraps his smaller gun with his handkerchief.

Adam arrives and aims at Eskith, then grabs his weapon. Eskith voices how their circumstance makes him feel hot and sweaty, but Adam takes one of his guns from his coat. Eskith later reaches for his wrapped handgun, but before he can fire it, the quicker Adam shoots him first. Before he dies, Eskith thanks Ben and Adam for their hospitality, telling them that his emotions defeated him.

Mariette and Jason bid their goodbyes to the Cartwrights, who’ll willingly wait for their return.

Full Script and Dialogue of Badge Without Honor

[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
we got the wrong man bob that's adam
cartwright come on let's get out of here
[Music]
who are you a friend
a friend yes you're a feather-footed one
who are you gerald eskeff by name
here perhaps this will relieve your mind
us deputy marshall i can't say i'm sorry
to see you
who are they the clevenger brothers
friends of yours hardly that
but you may have made a terrible mistake
just be thankful that you're still alive
and i'll be thankful that i've reached
the end of a long trail
the clevengers were wanted in california
for bank robbery
i had the um unpleasant duty of killing
their older brother
he was caught robbing sluice boxes oh so
you were the one
i was only performing my official duty
[Music]
so
[Music]
we're greatly in your debt well i'm
happy that i was fortunate enough to be
in the right place at the right time
we'll try to make you stay here a very
comfortable one please
thank you we appreciate a great deal if
you did for that on this question
um anything else you want to tell me
i still can't believe it i mean i'm not
selling the cleveland just short
roughest bunch of renegades i've ever
known but i just can't imagine them
taking a shot at me
you never know with that bunch old good
clevenger and his boys have
made their own loss for so long you
never know when they might step over the
line and you did have the ranch payroll
with you
they must have thought it was somebody
else now believe me adam i know how you
feel but the marshall did have a warrant
for them
well there's one thing for certain he
isn't too upset about it but come on
we've got a guest to take care of
we'll decide later what to tell you
cleveland if he gives us a chance to
talk
hmm the bucolic life
is not for gerald gets back in the
upstairs room
thanks son well one would scarcely
expect to encounter the ep out here in
the wilderness
well little joe's mother was louisiana
french he likes to play around with him
you mean you actually use this oh i fool
around that's just for fun
he's faster than griez lightning mrs
come on joey show him
on god brother you should never have
given those two a chance to show off
oh
[Laughter]
you know they really have no intention
of killing each other
he has an admirable skill
whack him over the head horse you'll
never get anywhere poking at him
you say nevertheless your technique is
not quite flawless
when you faint to the left you're a bit
off balance
on god
oh god
[Music]
hmm
you know you could hurt somebody with
that lost the button off the point
so i did
[Music]
this might have been fatal
violence as such is vulgar any man who
in anger
takes a human life becomes a brother of
the apes
he's an aesthetically impoverished man
don't you think so
oh yes sir i reckon
and yet the skills and rhythms of
disciplined violence
have beauty like a painting by reuben
sir
botticelli unfettered by personal
emotion
yes there to that simple word can be
traced the downfall of most artists
and many human creatures
emotion you know that's a a very
interesting observation mr escape
i don't think i could cast you in the
mold of an average law man
i've been told that well
i think the elegance and hospitality of
your home have made me forget my
original mission i'm here to visit an
old friend
would you happen to know i'm mr jason
blaine oh do you say it yes oh yes no
him know him very well
and his wife wife jason married
oh yes about a year they were married
right in this very room
then you do know him well well jason has
always been a little hard to know but uh
marietta is practically a part of our
family mariette
what a charming name yes uh her father
was a
very dear friend of mine when he died he
left the raising of marriott
almost entirely to my supervision
jason blaine married how very
very interesting is she a pretty girl
well we always thought so but of course
we could be slightly prejudiced
oh no my dear adam i have a feeling i
can trust your judgment in such matters
time to eat please oh good could i uh
freshen up a bit before suffering
of course i'll show you to your room
[Music]
adam what are you staring at oh i didn't
realize i was
look i know you feel bad about the
clevengers but it's like esket told
horse and me
bob and bill had a beat right on your
back he had to shoot fast in any way he
could
just be thankful he was there
yeah i'll try to remember that come on
let's have some supper
right
and so under the circumstances there was
little i could do
and that gentleman is the way i shot my
first tiger in india
[Applause]
oh for heaven's sakes number one because
get to do anything right here let me do
that
mister codlike take you long time to
know san francisco
take me a long time to know pontalosa i
help you in san francisco you helped me
in pandalosa
all right all right thank you
you know for years we had the most
wonderful cook cop sing so he went back
to hong kong and talked me into hiring
his number one cousin
i don't know number one cousin doesn't
he have a name
if he's got one he hasn't told us about
it i'm sorry about this joe
think nothing of it the same thing
happened when i was dining with the
prince of wales and paris got going mr
escapes you ain't been just about every
place
and there's one place i never cease to
enjoy going to where's that
beds i've had a long ride and i'm afraid
i'm not much of a night out
joe this has been an extremely pleasant
evening extremely pleasant i'm sorry
about what happened at the end of it
uh haas and joe see that mr esquitt has
everything he needs
yeah tomorrow morning adam and i will
ride into virginia city with you we'll
show you where jason and marianne live
fine have a good rest adam i regret the
circumstances under which we met but i'm
grateful that we
we did meet a stranger in a strange
community
it's heartening to have substantial
friends
good night good night
miss jessica did you sure not have that
old tiger cat for the tail sure
that house makes the most wonderful
audience doesn't it
i hope you'll go along with my little
whimsy and wanting to surprise patreon
we were such close friends and it's been
such a long time since i've seen him
are you sure you can find the house my
dear adam your directions are most
explicit
don't forget we want you to spend at
least a few days with us at the ranch
house i know adam and the boys will want
to take him at cougar hunt
ben i can't tell you how much i
appreciate your hospitality
and as i told you before there's nothing
in life i find as exciting as a hunt
thank you again both of you
[Applause]
adam let me get through with the bank
meet me at the hotel we'll have a bite
to eat
[Music]
pardon me dear lady if i straddled you
but i had wrongly assumed that no one
was home and it started to leave
i'm glad that i was in error you're mrs
blaine
yes i am the cartwright's told me all
about you
are you a friend of the cartwrights and
an old and dear friend of your good
husband
gerald esketh is my name surely
jason has mentioned me no
i don't recall well that is i've never
met any of jason's friends
did you meet him in california i did
indeed
my dear child jason's mineralogy
has surely been worthwhile he's found a
true jewel
i don't know if you're making fun of me
or not but jason is not at
home then perhaps you wouldn't mind if i
waited a while for him
ben and adam have some business to
transact in town and i'm a total
stranger here
oh yes of course how rude of me won't
you come in mr esqued
thank you
won't you sit down mr rescue thank you
i'll make you some tea how very
thoughtful of you
what a fine likeness of jason yes it is
isn't it
okay jason good morning how are you adam
hi did your friend find you oh who's
that
your friend from california gerald
lesket
no is there anything wrong
uh no everything's on
uh ask it uh it's he here in town well
he stopped over to our ranch last night
and he rode into town this morning with
us
went to your house he wanted to surprise
you
[Music]
thank you adam
you have some very interesting things
marianne
i couldn't help but notice this jewel
box oh jason took that for
saying some ore i'm afraid he isn't very
practical
but he is sweet we've been so happy here
i'm sure you have we thought most highly
of jason in san francisco
oh how elegant these must look on you
oh they're not real pearls but your
beauty would make them appear
priceless please may i see them on you
[Applause]
oh jason darling there you are look
who's here
my dear jason after all of these years
asked they're reviving the old case in
sacramento jason
and they couldn't very well proceed
without the chief prosecution witness
you is this something you two gentlemen
would rather discuss privately
no no not at all my business is a law
enforcement officer's public business
and i'm sure that you and your husband
have no secrets from each other
i'll fix you some tea jason
[Music]
have you told her of this matter no
how could i she's almost part of the
cartwright family
how much have you told her nothing i
detest emotional display
what's the matter jason
nothing marriott nothing you'd
understand
you're not aware of all the facts mariah
he has a right to be a reluctant witness
his testimony will be against the most
sinister forces in northern california
they may seek retaliation retaliation
however he'll be in my protective
custody
jason i trust you to be ready for the
journey shall we stay at noon tomorrow
does that allow you enough time
you trust me i amend that
i trust your wife to see that you're
ready thank you for the team area
it was indeed a pleasure meeting
i should never have tried to run away
from it
jason what do you mean i loved you so
much
i thought i had a right to a little
happiness but you did have
and you still have i won't let you go
back
we can leave and we can make another
star don't you see that that's what i
tried to do and this is the result of it
nothing will change i've got to go back
with him
but he said that it would be dangerous i
don't intend to lose you jason i love
you much too much
huh oh have you seen escape uh he's
probably still with jason did you get
that matter straightened out at the bank
oh yeah
but uh but i was leaving i ran into
jason and i told him that uh
esketh was looking for him and he uh he
seemed very upset about it
huh i think ask it this here's a friend
to see jason or uh
is he here in an official capacity
is the united states deputy marshall
because what do we really know about
jason
came in here swept mariette off her feet
of course it's done very well here he's
been here he's been very good to her
i suppose that's all you could ask of
any man yeah well i'd feel better if i
had a talk with mariette and jason just
ask them if there was anything wrong
what do you think
i think it's a good idea and also remind
mariette that we still have family for
as long as she needs us
look while you're over there i'll see
you durant
going someplace my dear jason
i was young asketh it was over five
years ago
time gets away from a man doesn't it
i'm curious jason why don't you go back
to ohio
my arm isn't quite that long you know
i'm a mineralogist
yes i traced you through arizona idaho
and all over the comstock load you
changed your name a couple of times
but i found you well you can't take me
out of nevada territory
here are the extradition papers
i trust jason you're growing tired of
trying to run away
everything legal and aboveboard huh yes
always which reminds me i must present
my credentials to your local judge
i had a little official business on the
way in
billy and bob clevenger you saw the
clevengers
briefly through my sights they're both
dead
what about gideon the old man always a
good
friend to you wasn't he jason no i
haven't seen him yet but i'll plan to
see him
before he sees me you um
seem to have built up a nice little
business here why don't you get it over
with why don't you kill me and have done
with it
no jason i'll kill you because that's
what i came here for
but i'll pick my own time and my own
place
besides i intend to get much better
acquainted with your wife
she's lovely jason completely lovely
[Music]
hello marianne oh adam i'm so glad to
see you
what's the matter is there something
wrong oh no
nothing it's just that i haven't seen
you for so long
where's jason oh he went
to the office to pick up some things
mariette you're just about as close to
being a sister as i'll ever have
now a big part of that pleasure is being
able to help you
tell me what happened when gerald escott
came here
oh nothing happened i think mr esquith
is
a very charming person we uh
we even had tea
oh adam i just can't lie to you
i've tried but i just can't
it's more like it now tell me about it
has to go to california to be witness in
a trial
well that doesn't sound so terrible i
know but the men
that he has to testify against they
threatened to kill him
you see that's why jason left california
i see did he talk to judge rand about
this
oh that was my first suggestion but
jason didn't think it would do any good
well jason's upset i think i'm in a
better position to decide than he is
so why don't you and i have a talk with
judge rand i think we'll find that
jason can make a legal deposition right
here in virginia city oh
adam could we do something like that i
don't
know until we ask will we come on get
your hat all right
i'm sure when we know all the facts
adam my dear mariette
what a pleasant surprise this is
forgive me your honor i am united states
deputy marshal gerald esketh
you're in my federal district marshall
if you have business here you should
have presented your documents to me
i fully intended to do so sir as a
matter of fact i was on my way to your
chambers when your uh
messenger intercepted me
mrs blaine states that her husband's
life will be in danger if he
if he gives certain testimony in
sacramento
to some extent she may be right i myself
will not feel too secure as his pledge
bodyguard
you will note there sir that this is the
state
versus hadley murdoch and a number of
john does
all of whom comprise a political machine
known as the murdoch gang now these are
infamous men sir
grown fat on terrorism and plunder
and so rich and powerful indeed that
they now have most of the state of
california under their rule of dread and
fear
blaine is the key witness we on the side
of the law earnestly believe that jason
blaine
is the one man who can send these
culprits to the gallows
well your husband's duty is clear
mariette
and we can't very well call out the
militia to guard him
well i was planning a trip to sacramento
in a week or so
i could change my plans go along with
you would make mariette feel better
oh it would adam it would
anything to relieve this dear lady's
anxieties
and rest assured we'll be joined by
other officers in sacramento
oh i'm very grateful to you to all of
you
uh mr esquith i'm terribly sorry to have
caused you all this trouble
there's no trouble my dear on the
contrary
i was delighted to see revealed that
jewel which money cannot buy
loyalty marshall you and adam both i
i'd like to talk to you if it's uh if
it's all right with you mariette
of course not adam jason will be so
pleased to know that you're going with
him
thank you gentlemen thank you
it's about the killing of the
clevelander brothers ah yes
uh distasteful duty i assure you but
there is a warrant out in california for
their arrest
i was talking to your father at him he
was telling me that
gideon clevenger came to see him yeah
but he didn't seem to want to make any
trouble
strange man get in clevenger he'll brood
about the death of his
sons then he'll decide to take the law
into his own hands
he can be very dangerous if he makes up
his mind to it
well the thought of any further
bloodshed is completely repelling to me
i'll rest a whole lot easier when you're
out of town on your way back to
sacramento
then you think that this um gideon
clevenger
will make the death of his two sons a
personal issue between himself and me
i think that precisely
i see
jason jason i have the most wonderful
news
i've just come from talking to judge ran
you what
oh it's all right darling he's going to
write a letter to a friend in sacramento
a judge
and then adam is going to go with you no
no he can't do that
but jason adam only wants to help well
he well he can't go with me
but why tell me why
because if adam cartwright goes with me
he'll never get there alive
[Music]
jason what are you trying to tell me
can't we make one move in our life
without the cartwrights getting mixed up
in it
but the cartwrights are my best friends
and they're the best friends you ever
had
i don't want to talk about it jason
come on this isn't like us i'm your wife
and i have a right to know the truth
well i have told you the truth
tell me something why did you say that
if adam went with you he would be killed
because that is the truth too
jason i have never asked you anything
about your past life before because it
just wasn't important
but now it is now do they want you as a
witness for something you saw
or for something you did
what difference does it make eskis told
you about
the murdoch gang didn't he yes well that
gang isn't going to let me get the
sacramento alive
not even with mr esketh and adam to
protect you don't you realize that escus
was sent here to kill me
once i leave here i'll be dead before i
can get as far as the ponderosa
but why would anybody want to kill you
because that's why he came here he is a
hired paid killer
now try to understand that
[Music]
jason there must be something we can do
there must be
what you want me to get a gun go up
against him
he would love that self-defense
everything above board legal then why
don't you go to judge rand tell him the
truth and he'll protect you
you saw his papers he is a marshal he
has every right in the world to take me
in
and you're gonna stand there and let him
do it oh what else can i do
we can go away we can go east jason
please please they can't reach that far
even if we have to spend the rest of our
lives hiding i don't care
i'd much rather have you that way than
not have you at all
please if we only could
we only could
it would be like starting from the
beginning no west
no past tense
jason jason we must do it we must we can
i know we can
you get some things packed there's still
lesketh don't forget i tried this once
before
oh but don't forget you didn't have me
before now i can handle him
i think i know a lady's man when i see
one yes i know how to deal with him no i
can't let you do that
he's too dangerous oh no darling really
he won't be with me
please trust me trust me
now hurry hurry and get something packed
please
[Applause]
adam i find this a land of unexpected
pleasures
little did i dream that you'd be making
the trip to sacramento with me
well since i am don't you think it uh
might be a good idea to let me in on the
truth
isn't that a rather strange way to put a
question at him well as pawn i both told
you we
think a great deal of mariette and so do
i think a lot of her
that's why i tried to spare her the
seriousness of jason's case
then he's not just a missing witness no
a missing criminal but on your honor
adam
this is to go no further in virginia
city by turning state's evidence he'll
be able to return here with no damage to
his so-called reputation
i appreciate whatever protection you can
give mariette
you know i believe we think alike
i even had him listed in the documents
as a witness not as one of the accused
thank you for telling me i'd like to get
the best lawyer you can find
adam i want you to think it rude of me
but under the circumstances i think it's
best not to return to the ponderosa
i'll take a room here at the hotel and
if it's convenient for you we'll leave
shall we say first thing in the morning
fine with me i'll bring your luggage in
with me and bring along your best suit
adam
i know some pretty girls in sacramento
and perhaps we can forget some of the
more unpleasant aspects of a martial's
duties
very good if i um seemed a little cool
towards youts
it was only because of my concern for
mariette
well i better let paul know what's
happening see you in the morning
[Music]
i hope this wouldn't happen
well maybe we can reason with it
let me try it
[Music]
hello get in we haven't seen you for
some time
save your words judge i know gerald
esketh in this town
now where is he i really don't know
gideon look at me when i talk to you
i don't like fellers who can't look
straight you've lost three sons
trying to fight a private war why don't
you just find yourself a rocking chair
and live to a ripe old age huh i've got
a better idea that'll help a lot more
people
you deliver as gift to me i'll get out
of virginia city and stay out
you don't i got 20 more men anxious to
ride in here
you're not serious
i have offered you a fair deal get me
that back shooter
come in oh my dear adam
they tell me gideon clevenger's looking
for me he's threatening to tear the
whole town apart unless you're handed
over to him
he seems a truly dedicated scoundrel
faithful to his purpose honest to a
fault
i want you to know that pawn and i'll be
backing you up
thank you kindly adam
shall we uh look into the matter
but he's certainly a cool one i'll have
to admit that
[Music]
what are you gonna do make our friend a
sporting proposition
he's in the saloon
clevenger
can you hear me i can hear you asketh
it's a voice i'm not likely to forget
you made this personal clevenger so
let's keep it that way
there's no sense that harming innocent
people you've made yourself a deal
but if the cartwrights or anyone else
tries to get into it
i'm cutting my boys loose
you're free to change your mind anytime
thank you friend but i find the
arrangement most satisfactory
i've already planned my strategy
i don't like this adam i'm beginning to
think esketh knows what he's doing
so
make your play you filthy little back
shooter you first
my dear clevenger
[Music]
[Applause]
you better finish the job ask us
[Applause]
so
[Applause]
adam you better get the doctor see what
we can do with clevenger
how is cleveland you go through he wants
to see you
i took the liberty of dropping in
without knocking
well i was sure the door was locked
you grow lovelier each time i see you
i must look aside a sight indeed
the very kind and inspired wordsworth to
rhapsodize
she was a phantom of delight when first
she gleamed upon my sight now you know
that you much prefer those
sophisticated san francisco women to a
country girl like myself
i hope someday to prove the error of
that statement by putting you beside
them
a ruby in a diadem of glass
oh you mean the ones from the barbary
coast what lies has jason been telling
you about me
why none none it's just that i know so
little about san francisco
it was only a chance remark
and please accept my apology i'm thin
skinned when it comes to matters of
honor oh i apologize too
i had planned to look much more
presentable
the next time we met then it was rude of
me to arrive so unexpectedly
but i thought i better tell you the
judge ran suggested that i start back to
sacramento immediately
oh so soon
you don't know how lonely it gets i mean
jason has to work such long hours
i've never met anyone like you gerald
a little more time won't matter
could you come to the hotel to let me
know when jason is ready
just as long as you aren't too impatient
now let us not misunderstand my
honorable intentions i understand
your intentions perfectly
you're gonna learn just who you've been
playing games with
who what are you
he's murdoch's hatchet man
around the embarcadero they call him the
dude butcher boy
it's my reckoning you came here to lead
jason blaine to the slaughter
because jason knows too much jason was
mixed up with murdoch
he was a spotter for the bunch that's
easy for an essayer
whenever he'd see gold bullion he'd
telescope
that slimy killer would lead his knight
riders
claiming they were vigilantes that was a
good cover for him
but jason got second he quit and ran
away
jason was too soft for esca shooting
parties i saw him later in virginia city
but i figured let a father go straight
that's trying hard
and your oldest son asketh backshot my
boy our california stamp mail
while his outfit looted
the other two
you know about men they wasn't killers
they heard asketh was headed this way
they mistook adam for him
that fooled jason why couldn't he tell
us the trouble he was in
there's a thing called reputation ben
especially if you're married to a woman
like mariette
i'd swear she never knew that jason had
a record
[Music]
where's jason was escaped here yes
he hit me and he slapped me
and he wanted me to tell did he tell you
who he really is
yes and he said terrible things about
jason
where is jason where is he where is he
the uh silver corazon mine
i'm supposed to meet him there he gave
me a little trail
map he took it it's gone
he took it he took the map he'll kill
jason calm down
now listen i'll send somebody look after
you now don't go while you stay right
here
[Applause]
okay
jason
jason
you can't get away jason
can you hear me
would you like to hear what happened to
your wife
she died in my arms jason i held her
i watched her
can you take that and run away with it
[Music]
in here
come on come on
um
[Music]
so
[Music]
ah
[Music]
oh
[Music]
the unruly emotions jason but don't be
ashamed because they've destroyed you
they've conquered more men than
napoleon's armies
go ahead go ahead and shoot last time i
bring it right to you
i'm here we're in here
we're in here
[Music]
so
don't turn around
jason marry
he's all right i'm taking you in escape
it's hot in here isn't it
or is it just the uncomfortable
circumstances i find myself in
no
might have worked on clevenger but it
won't work on me
my dear adam you don't think that i'd be
childish
so childish as to pull the same chestnut
twice
i wish you hadn't tried it ask it i
suppose i
i knew all along that this would happen
[Applause]
someday
thank you for your hospitality man
[Music]
i never dreamed that gerald eskel would
be defeated
by emotions i can't believe you ever had
any
oh yes i did
i was in love you know
i was in love with gerald
asking
[Music]
we'll miss you very much
thank you ben thank you for everything
judge rand said it shouldn't be more
than a year
and that will be the longest year of my
life
well i'm glad you made the decision on
your own jason
when you come back your house will be
here waiting thank you ben
goodbye
we'll be waiting too things will be just
the same
thank you
[Music]
first
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
so
[Music]
you

Behind the Scenes of Badge Without Honor

The episode’s title in German is “Der ehrenwerte Marshall.” which means “The Honorable Marshall.”

This episode marks Dan Duryea’s (U.S. Dep. Marshal Gerald Eskith) first appearance in the series. His second appearance was as Sam Logan in the episode Logan’s Treasure, which aired in 1964.

Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?

Bonanza is the must-watch American Western television series you’d enjoy by yourself or with family. The show lasted 14 seasons on the NBC network from September 1959 to January 1973. Badge Without Honor is the 35th episode out of 430 and the third for the second season.

You can find more about any of the 430 Bonanza episodes here>>