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Ponderosa (2001)
Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX-TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season. Envisioned as a prequel to the long-running NBC series Bonanza, it had less gunfire, brawling and other traditional western elements than the original. Bonanza creator David Dortort approved PAX TV's decision to hire Beth Sullivan, creator and executive producer of Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman to oversee scripts and executive produce, which some believe gave the series a softer edge. Ponderosa was canceled after one season, in part because of disappointing ratings and high production costs. Although Sullivan had hoped to film the series in and around Los Angeles, PAX decided to film in Australia to reduce costs. Series "show runner" Sullivan sustained severe injuries in a car crash only twelve days after the airing of the first season's last episode. The show should not be confused with Ponderosa, the title used for Bonanza reruns aired on NBC during the summer of 1972.
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Seasons & Episode
Hoss is angered when he learns that Jack is staging wolf fights in town, and he vows to rescue the animals.
When an abandonded baby is found, Hoss and Tess consider marrying and adopting the child.
An epidemic strikes the town's cattle with Margaret suffering the most losses, and everyone wants to destroy the herds and sell the ranches to Jack.
Isabella receives a letter from her childhood love whom she thought had died in the war. She's torn between her old love and Adam, who is determined not to lose her.
Hoss falls for a the daughter of a reverend who claims that he can perform miracles.
Ben is distrustful of a stranger who comes to Eagle Station, builds a hotel and talks about his vision to expand the young town and put it on the stagecoach route.
Manuel, a man who once saved Carlos's life, unexpectedly arrives in town. Manuel is disturbed to see Carlos working for the people he believes stole the de Rivera ranch, so he devises a plan to get the land back, starting with Margaret and her spread.
Adam, Hoss and Carlos discover a treasure map clutched in a dead man's hand and set out to claim the gold they think it leads to, unaware they are being followed.
Marie's sister comes to the Ponderosa, but she doesn't get along well with the townspeople and she wants to take Little Joe back to New Orleans.
Romantic woes are caused by a ""Ladies Choice"" dance: Margaret and Shelby learn that they both want to be escorted by Ben, and Tess settles for Hoss when Isabella asks Adam.
A man hunted for being a U.S. deserter who fought for Mexico comes to stay at the Ponderosa, causing a rift between Hoss (Drew Powell) and Tess (Sara Gleeson), whose father died in the war against Mexico.
A man comes to Eagle Station wanting Adam, to write about the 'true story' of the Donner Party. But the meeting causes Ben to reflect on a bad experience from his own past.
When the town is quarantined because of an illness for which the townspeople blame the Cartwrights, vigilantes set out to destroy their home.
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Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX-TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season. Envisioned as a prequel to the long-running NBC series Bonanza, it had less gunfire, brawling and other traditional western elements than the original. Bonanza creator David Dortort approved PAX TV's decision to hire Beth Sullivan, creator and executive producer of Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman to oversee scripts and executive produce, which some believe gave the series a softer edge. Ponderosa was canceled after one season, in part because of disappointing ratings and high production costs. Although Sullivan had hoped to film the series in and around Los Angeles, PAX decided to film in Australia to reduce costs. Series "show runner" Sullivan sustained severe injuries in a car crash only twelve days after the airing of the first season's last episode. The show should not be confused with Ponderosa, the title used for Bonanza reruns aired on NBC during the summer of 1972.
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