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» » Bonanza The Last Viking (1959–1973)

Short summary

Gunnar is a long-lost relative of the Cartwright family. When Gunnar arrives at the Ponderosa, the family takes him in for the evening. Gunnar is the brother to one of Ben Cartwright's late wives. Unbeknownst to the Cartwright family, Gunnar is also the leader of a band of criminals called The Comancheros. Little Joe is visiting his girlfriend away from the ranch. When Little Joe and his girlfriend are kidnapped by The Comancheros, the Cartwrights and Gunnar are forced into a difficult situation.

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User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Orevise
    This particular episode of Bonanza answers the question for at least one of the Cartwright kids. That is, are there any uncles and aunts for some or any of them and where are they? The Last Viking refers to Dan Blocker's Uncle Gunnar played by Neville Brand who comes for a visit after an over 20 year absence. He's been gone so long that he doesn't know that Ben's married a third time and has Michael Landon around as the result.

    Since Joe has no childhood memories of him, he can see him more clearly and he doesn't like it. He's got good reason not to like Uncle Gunnar as it turns out because Neville Brand runs with a gang of outlaws who hear what a rich brother-in-law he has and would like to rob the Ponderosa.

    Neville Brand gives a memorable performance as the overage man who just won't settle down. He's tired though and maybe would like to. His character is seen in a later flashback episode about how Lorne Greene teamed up with Hoss's mother who is played in that episode by Inga Swenson, a two parter. The Gunnar character is played by Jeremy Slate in that and he's quite the lout as the younger version of Brand.

    A background episode of Bonanza and a good one.
  • comment
    • Author: Thohelm
    If I had to pick out the Cartwright this episode focuses on, I'd have to say Hoss, though Little Joe is heavily involved as well.

    Hoss's uncle, a man like a viking, comes for a visit - well, that's his pretense, anyhow. He has a fun night with the family before he goes out and shows his true colors.

    Things get pretty bad when he and his men attack a ranch that Joe's working at, shoots her uncle, kills his hands, and kidnaps her and Little Joe. Things go from bad to worse when Little Joe and the girl try to escape. It's really dramatic, but would be more so if we knew Little Joe wouldn't be okay in the end. (I'm not giving anything away - Little Joe was the only Cartwright to make it to the end of the fifteen- season show).

    I guess this episode shows that there's good in everyone - even somebody as evil as Hoss's uncle...
  • Episode cast overview:
    Dan Blocker Dan Blocker - Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
    Michael Landon Michael Landon - Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
    Lorne Greene Lorne Greene - Ben Cartwright
    Pernell Roberts Pernell Roberts - Adam Cartwright
    Neville Brand Neville Brand - Gunnar Borgstrom
    Sonya Wilde Sonya Wilde - Carrie McClane
    Al Ruscio Al Ruscio - Vaca
    Louis Mercier Louis Mercier - Duzzaq
    Ric Marlow Ric Marlow - Morgan
    Herbert Lytton Herbert Lytton - Abe McClane
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