The Complex Relationship Between Joe and Adam Cartwright And How it Affects Their Fans

[@oliviaruprecht]

Just discovered this podcast and I’m in love. Thank you for giving Bonanza the in-depth attention it deserves!❤🎉

[@Bonanzababe]

@oliviaruprecht Welcome aboard! Thank you so much! New videos drop the first of every month so I look forward to hearing from you.

[@oliviaruprecht]

@ Awesome! Thank you!!

[@AnneliseChristensen-h3k]

I like listening to your talks. They give me something to really think about, and I almost always agree what you say about Adam. He's been my favorite character since the time I started watching Bonanza, and I love that you are trying to help others see his person better. Thank you for your time.

[@Bonanzababe]

@@AnneliseChristensen-h3k Well, this comment made my night! Thank you so much!!

[@oliviaruprecht]

Joe Gals and Adam Gals can definitely get crazy! As an Adam Gal, I find myself getting frustrated at Joe more often than not, but that’s probably because I’m an oldest child and can vibe more with Adam than with Baby Brother. 😂 Picking a favorite Adam&Joe moment is hard! But I’d have to say that moment in “Hoss and the Leprechauns,” when Joe brings Ben and Adam to see the leprechauns Hoss has found… only to find all the little men have disappeared. Joe tries to convince Ben that he saw one of them, but after a glaring look from Pa, he turns to Adam and says, “I saw one of them…” And Adam, being the gracious older brother that he is, nods and smiles, trying to pacify Joe. That one always stuck out to me because it’s just a small, subtle hint to their deeper relationship and I love it.❤

[@Lovesloyalty1429]

Joe is my favorite Cartwright, but I love Ben and all three of his boys for each of their unique traits. But I agree; Adam and Little Joe's relationship is my favorite one of the whole series, and I would have loved to see more episodes dedicated to just them. And if I were to pick another favorite besides Joe, it would probably be Adam. My favorite moment between these two is in the episode, "A House Divided" after Adam and little Joe had come back home and dismounted their horses. Joe was standing silently behind Adam and he sensed his little brother's presence and with that little smile he had perfected, tossed his bed roll behind him. Little Joe caught it, smiled that infamous smile of his, and followed Adam into the house. Great video!

[@shirleymiller4219]

One of my favorite scenes between the two of them is at the end of ‘My Brother’s Keeper.’ During all of his delirium; Joe must have known the pain and guilt Adam had been going through over shooting him. And then causing Joe much suffering by having to remove the bullet himself. But one of the last scenes at the end is where Joe is looking at Adam briefly. But that look of love for Adam said it all. He loved his brother and wanted him to know he could put away the guilt. And that Joe appreciated all that Adam had done in taking care of him through the night. It was brief, but it was sweet and even happy. Adding love to that look made that scene unique above all the other great scenes between them, I think.

[@Bonanzababe]

Oh absolutely! Mike really could say a lot with his facial expression! That scene is beautiful!!

[@oliviaperrin1146]

I do so love your comments and analysis of Bonanza. I grew up with the show, my friends and l ‘lived’ it every day. I still love it today and social media has brought it alive again. I was madly in love with Joe … my first crush as a kid, my best friend loved Adam but secretly we loved them both. Adam had a difficult childhood having no settled home and always on the move, he lost three mothers although of course never knew his real mother. Inger was such a beautiful soul and loved him dearly. Joe on the other hand had a settled childhood and being the ‘baby’ was inevitably a bit spoiled causing friction between him and Adam, but this would probably occur in most families with the same demographics. I think they cared very deeply for each other and had some lovely moments. He was distraught in the episode ‘ My Brothers Keeper ‘ when he accidentally shot Joe. The love between them was apparent in this episode. I love the light hearted episodes like The Wooing of Abigail Jones where It is mentioned that Adam used to collect Joe from school…Thanks again for all your observations so good to discuss Bonanza after all these years, it had such an impact on so many off us.

[@Bonanzababe]

Thank you so much, Olivia! That's funny about you and your childhood bestie because I was close to someone for many years who was a Joegal while I am an Adamgal so just the opposite of your situation. And yes, Adam's childhood was rough. I can imagine it was hard for him to get close to Marie because he had lost Inger. I always sympathize with Joe, being the youngest of three myself, for the things you mention here. MBK was one of my favorites as well! Just watched it again the day after I made this video! I love talking about Bonanza so I am so grateful for the support!

[@Bonanzababe]

Hi, everybody! Apologies for how my voice sounds off and on during this. I just came out of a two-week sinus infection, hence why I took longer to film than I had originally planned. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the video!

[@neritaquispe6812]

Sim por favor, com certeza vai ajudar muito. Boa noite, muito obrigado. 😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌.

[@kimmoore8266]

Sinus infections are miserable. I’m glad you’re feeling better.

[@Bonanzababe]

@@kimmoore8266 Thank you, Kim! They sure are!

[@shirleymiller4219]

I’ve recalled something that I think would go in this thread. It pertains to Michael and Pernell as well as Joe and Adam. There are a couple episodes in the later seasons that have caused some speculation. Season 11 “Matter of Circumstance “ and in season 13 “Bushwhacked “. In both episodes Joe is seriously wounded (yes again!). He becomes delirious in both stories and some have said they heard Joe calling out for Adam; who has been gone for several years. I believe it would be fitting if Joe really did so because there must have been times through those years that Joe did need his eldest brother more than other times. These two times could have been among them. Not that he needed to be delirious to do so; of course not. Ben and Hoss were sure to have had their moments of really missing and needing Adam too. I have watched both episodes listening closely because it is easy to miss. But I did hear in both what could have been Joe calling out or saying his name. It wasn’t as clear as when he did in “My Brothers Keeper ,” but it was there it seems. Some haven’t been able to hear it and others have. I’ve also read that it was highly probable Michael did that because he knew what Adam meant to Joe. As well as his own regard for Pernell.

[@alexandrapaino4446]

Hmm I’ve never noticed that, but that is pretty cool. Where in those episodes?

[@shirleymiller4219]

@ well in Bushwacked, it is right after Ben goes in to see Joe. Joe is mumbling about being shot, and I think I can hear him speaking Adams name. In A Matter of Circumstance, I think is when Joe is in the kitchen and starts crying. After he reads about the amputation. It isn’t as clear in this one, but it does sound like him calling out for Adam. Unless it is another scene in there perhaps. But it is touching in both episodes of him needing Adam in those difficult times.

[@lindapeele3752]

I LOOOOVE Adam !!! I have a fondness for the others as each has squalities I love in a man . Adam just happens to have ALL of them .

[@Bonanzababe]

I hear ya, Linda!

[@michelledunmore9435]

I'm an Adam gal to my core! That being said, I think Hoss and Joe are adorable. I love every interaction between these three, but I like when Adam and Joe tease poor Hoss. In a loving way, of course. I think your insights are spot on, and adoring Adam doesn't mean you have to dislike anyone!💕❤

[@erinpait]

This was great! I love all the Cartwrights, and depending on the day (and how they are portrayed in a given episodes) i flip flop who I like at the moment. I am both a Joe, and Adam girl.... and Ben sneaks into there too sometimes 😄

[@Bonanzababe]

I really like that answer about changing depending on how they are portrayed! Thank you for watching and giving your thoughts!

[@kimmoore8266]

Great episode…interesting topic. My favourite Adam/Joe moment is at the end of The War Comes to Washoe. Joe says goodbye to his girl and rides up to join his father and brothers. Adam is looking a little uncomfortable remembering how tense things got between him and Joe, but Joe looks right at him and smiles, signalling all is well between the two of them. Another telling moment is when Joe is about to marry the girl he believes he has blinded with a bullet that richocheted. The brother standing behind him…acting as his best man I assume…is Adam. And one last note. I think the media hyped Adam leaving Bonanza and led fans to believe the remaining Cartwrights were relieved he was gone. But I read that…as friends…they were happy he was gone because they knew PR was really unhappy. Oh yes…I started out a JoeGirl, but have turned to an AdamGirl. But I actually love them all.

[@Bonanzababe]

I'm so excited by your comment because I never thought of that point you made for the wedding scene in "Bullet For A Bride"! That's some amazing insight!! Thank you so much for pointing that out! And I agree that the media made it look worse between the actors themselves than it probably was. I know people who knew them both personally and they have said the same. It's a comforting thing to have affirmed.

[@kimmoore8266]

@@Bonanzababe ❤

[@shirleymiller4219]

I haven’t watched ‘Bullet for a Bride’ in awhile. Did Adam know she could really see as Ben came to find out?

[@cherylhuffey5792]

Yes I’m certainly definitely an Adam s girl through & through I absolutely adore ed him still do loved him worshiped him he was such a wonderful person miss u like hell my beautiful beautiful PERNELLso so swell a real pal ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Love From Yor Fan Essex 🇬🇧 U.K. England 🎉 Wishing u a very happy Christmas plus heaven ly happy Christmas to u Pernell

[@Bonanzababe]

Thanks for watching. Happy new year.

[@saramcpike2820]

Over time, I've become a Joe AND Adam gal, cause I've grown to love them both. I started as a Joe gal, mainly because I loved Michael Landon and discovered the show thru finding him. However, I realized that, in order to really appreciate the show for what it is, I had to come to love all the Cartwrights, even Adam. And then I discovered how much I loved Adam; especially for his sarcasm that he tended to have more often than the other brothers (though Joe definitely had his moments). One moment that I love between Mike and Pernell (not on Bonanza) was when they, supposedly, had run into each other when Mike's mother was ill, and Pernell happened to be filming Trapper John in that same area, so he came and visited with Michael and his mother. This video is very well done.

[@cherylhuffey3463]

I Love Adam he’s the one

[@lyndaprado2311]

I love Joe but I like Adam too. Their relationship makes me think of my sister and I. My sister is 7 years older than me and 6 years older than my brother. For reasons I won't discuss, my sister ended up raising my brother and I for a couple of years. My sister and I didn't always get along and I think it was because, like with Adam and Joe, she had to parent me and my brother to some degree. I really appreciate her now and even sent her a Happy Mother's Day message when Mother's Day rolled around.

[@Bonanzababe]

@lyndaprado2311 Thank you for sharing that! I love when Bonanza resonates with other fans like that. They had no way of realizing back then how that dynamic might relate to people.

[@genettalacey2627]

Adam is all man. Joe is a boy. Adam understood the assignment. Joe didn't have a clue.

[@mcaskey358]

Growing up, I remembered watching Bonanza with my Grandma. I must have been around 4, maybe. I very vaguely remembered a man in black and really liking the man in black. I assumed that must have been Joe, because everyone talked about how much they loved Little Joe. Then as an adult I ran across the series again, and was like, "Woah! Wait, there was a third brother?" And I realized that, at around 4 years old I'd already established my taste in men, because as an adult I still love Adam. But I love Little Joe too. I love him like he's a little brother, annoying as all get out, frustrating at times, but I'd never let anyone hurt him. So I do not understand how someone could hate the other brothers considering how important the three are to each other, it would be like hating a part of the person you love. You can't have Adam without Joe, Hoss, and Pa, and vice versa. No shame on anyone for thinking differently, it's just how I see it.

[@Bonanzababe]

That is so well-put! Thank you!

[@marthasanchez9109]

Grandes Actores y gran serie Bonanza ❤ Gracias por tus vídeos son hermosos ❤

[@Linsmith571]

I enjoyed your comments and agree! I am an Adam girl myself but I don’t dislike Joe. He just seems kind of like the pesty younger brother that I had that was also 12 years younger. I can’t pick a single best relationship scene because I enjoyed so many. That’s a very hard one.

[@Bonanzababe]

So you have an understanding about them that others don't. It's okay, I can't pick either! Thank you for your comment!

[@sandrasanders706]

I'm a Joe girl..took me a while to understand why gals love Adam..now after watching the reruns, I get it! But still a Joe girl..

[@Bonanzababe]

I love when fans of one stick to it,but appreciate the others! Thank you for your comment!

[@1yugioh11]

I'm an Adam Gal all the way, No hate for Joe though, All four cartwright boys are wonderful,

[@Bonanzababe]

Totally agree! Thank you for the comment!

[@MirelleJanaWalter-yb7cz]

🎉 I like all of them. 🎉

[@neritaquispe6812]

Eu estou no mesmo barco ⛵, não entendo nada, e gosto de saber tudo sobre eles.⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵🇧🇷

[@Bonanzababe]

Acabei de responder ao comentário acima com uma versão traduzida do meu script. Espero que isso ajude. Se sim, posso começar a colocá-los nas descrições dos meus vídeos. Avise.

[@nellyklinger4233]

@@Bonanzababe obrigada por me responder, ajudou bastante, fica com Deus.

[@RosaSanchez-sk9xj]

Respectful and thoughtful

[@Bonanzababe]

Thank you so much!

[@bonanzaboomer]

I was puzzled by the fact that both actors died of pancreatic cancer.

[@Bonanzababe]

Michael's started in the lung, I believe.

[@amandal7373]

@@Bonanzababe he announced he had pancreatic cancer so that means the primary tumour was in the pancreas not the lung. Otherwise he would have said he had lung cancer

[@hannablue7038]

This is soooo boring!

[@Bonanzababe]

Thanks soooo much for taking the time to comment that. Helps my channel engagement tons. ☺️

[@cherylhuffey5792]

Love Cheryl987 go 🎉 🎉