Forever

"I saw this with a lot of other girls in my dorm when it originally aired. What I really remember was that it was so sad and depressing that I vowed never to view it again. And I never have. Oh, and I was so angry that they killed Alice and her unborn child." - Deborah

"Deborah, I agree...At the time this aired I was not a regular Bonanza viewer, but I of course knew that Dan Blocker had died and so was interested in what this episode would be like. I remember the promos for the episode really emphasized that "Little Joe finally gets married", and people were talking about it - it was a real water cooler topic. But after the episode aired, I remember how angry everyone was that Alice had died. I heard many people say "I'm never watching Bonanza again!" If this had aired several seasons earlier, it might have gotten a better reception.

I've seen this episode 2 or 3 times since its original airing. The most memorable part of the episode is Joe and Ben crying in the burned-out house. I think everyone knows that they're crying for Dan's loss, and that makes it especially poignant; we're seeing real grief." - ellen

"I can't bring myself to watch this episode again...I even gave my only copy away so I wouldn't be tempted! It was just too sad and heart-wrenching...especially as we now know the loss ML and LG were feeling for Dan.

The only way I could get past the misery Joe went through at losing his wife and child in such horrid circumstances, was to write my own WHN for his future. At least in my world he could have a happy ever after eventually.

However, as ratings go, I still have to give this a 4.5 for the way ML played the part of heartbroken and tormented widower so well, if nothing else." - Dodo

"It's true that NBC heavily promoted the premiere of "Forever", however, the show was previewed by many critics, and it was revealed that in fact, Joe's wife dies, pregnant, in a tragic fire. Many newspaper reviews reported the plot in their "review" columns.

So, for many who were watching it, including myself, watched the part when Joe rides after his father, happily calling after him, "Pa! We're gonna have a baby!" that was already when the tears started...because you knew what was coming, and that it was going to end in horrific tragedy...

I know ML's heart was in the right place, but the majority of Bonanza fans were outraged with the storyline. They wanted Joe's wife and baby to live and go on with the series from that point.

I still understand the reason ML needed to do what he felt compelled to do, as he was clear about why he went on with the script as it was, and I just wish things had been handled, differently. But I wasn't on that set for 14 years, and I had not worked beside Dan all those years, and those that did, had the right to decide what they needed to do at the time.

I understand that, but as a fan, loving those characters, after losing so much...I just wanted Bonanza to end with a happier ending for Joe, a wife and baby, and a grandchild for Ben.

But it was not to be, so thank God for the reruns, which have been shown ever since that time, where the family can be as it was in the beginning, the best of times to remember." - Carol

"I guess I'm the odd man out with this ep. I absolutely love it. I know Mike is an emotional person, but the range of emotions he shows in this ep are truely amazing. With having to do a show so shortly after Dan's death, I am surprised any of the actors or crew made it through. I give it a 5 at least." - jfclover

"I find this episode gets better and better every time I watch it. The emotions it brings out in me are more intense with each viewing.

I like the storyline and understand why it was done the way it was done and the acting is superb. What more could you ask for?

After all the episode was written for Dan Blocker and ML had no idea at the time of writing that Dan wouldn't be around to play the part. Dan's untimely death didn't change the story, it just made it all the more sad knowing what the actors were going through." - territell

"Although, it is hard to watch, I still give it a five. For two reasons the writing and acting." - fanofoldtvshows

"I've not seen this episode. I recently saw a clip of the scene of Joe and Ben together and it made me cry. And for that reason alone, I give it a 5. No other episode had moved me so." - indyanna130

"Echoing many sentiments above, I too would give this episode a 5. The range of emotions that the actors went through during this episode ran the gamut. And knowing the 'behind the scenes' situation just added to it being an emotional episode for the viewers as well.

Michael Landon's acting in this episode was magnificent, and the scene in the burnt down house could very well be the most emotional Joe/Pa moment of the entire series.

It's a tough episode to watch at times, but when all is said and done, I am always glad that I did. " - DonnaB

"Maybe it's just me, but if I recall this was either the last episode or close to it. Wouldn't you think there could have been a happy ending?" - Dogwood

Bonanza Episode Guide by Julie-Ann Sanderson © 2008
Compiled for Bonanza Brand
All episodes are rated out of 5