Grown Ups
Ponderosa Episode Review
In which there is a baby and Hop Sing has crap taste in women.
What Happened
Hoss and Tess find a baby by the river, next to the body of her dead Paiute mother. Margaret promises to look after the baby until Ben can find someone to take her, but doubts that anyone will take in half-breed child. When Tess worries what will happen, Hoss impulsively suggests that they marry and raise the baby.
Tess likes being sweet-talked and kissed just fine, but hesitates to say yes. When Hoss hears that Ruth and Eli may take the child, he impulsively announces his engagement to Tess. After she gets into a ugly fight with her mother about her maturity, Tess runs off and accepts Hoss' proposal.
Ben brings home a letter for Hop Sing. Upset by what it said, Hop Sing finally explains that he and his young love Su Lee came to San Francisco together, but Su Lee was "bought" by a shopkeeper. Hop Sing refused to run away with her, wanting to wait to buy out her contract, but now Su Lee has married the shopkeeper.
Ben counsels Hoss to reconsider tossing himself into marriage and fatherhood at the same time. After hearing Hop Sing's story, however, Hoss goes straight to Margaret and pleads his case. She seems moved, but it may not do any good. Big Dan has found the baby's uncle, who wants to claim the child and take it home.
Hoss is heartbroken when Tess admits that she said yes too quickly, but Hop Sing shares some of the old Chinese wisdom and reminds him that Tess is still his friend. He doesn't yet know what may happen.
What We Learned
- Adam holds the skipping stones record. We're sure he's real proud.
- Since the dawn of time, guys have done that thing where they manage to get their arms around a girl while showing her how to do stuff.
- Margaret used to sing to Tess when she couldn't sleep. She never said she sang good.
- Margaret's age is not the point.
- There is always an old Chinese legend that applies to just about every situation you can think of.
- Good fortune. Bad fortune. Who knows?
What Did I Think?
Usually, it's all aw what a cute baby and stuff until the inevitable introduction of body fluids. This episode thankfully focuses on the adults and doesn't make the hash I expected of Hoss and Tess.