Pilot
— · October 1, 1962
Harland Bristol is the reigning saddle bronc champ. Getting ready to ride Megaton, Harland is critically injured when the rank bronc rears up and slams him into the chute wall.
Unfortunately, Stoney Burke was helping out - holding Megaton's head. Harland's brother Cody and his best friend E.J. Stoker blame Stoney for Harland's death.
The episode introduces us to the principal characters, establishes themes sewn throughout the series, and gives hints to the eventual outcome.
Thematic examples include forgiveness; Cody and E.J. go from wanting Stoney hurt for Harland's death to being his best friends and constant companions.
We learn what a sleaze the character of Ves Painter is, and the attendant friction - approach/avoidance - represented by Ves and Stoney's difficult relationship.
Stoney falls for Hamilton's girl (much younger than he) and seems willing to give it all up for her. She, however is smarter - or more mature than Stoney and realizes that if he does not go for the buckle -
Fight Night
— · October 8, 1962
An old political fight between two small-county commissioners causes the delay of Stoney and the rodeo from getting to the next venue, resulting in the death of one of the cowboys. The Police Commissioner wants his charity boxing match to run on the same night as the Health Commissioner's charity rodeo.
Thugs in the employ of one of the boxers pays Ves Painter to help disrupt the rodeo.
Child of Luxury
— · October 15, 1962
Hell's fury is unleashed when Stoney scorns the affections of a spoiled rich girl whose daddy is the town's power broker.
Point of Honor
— · October 22, 1962
Stoney and E.J. notice that local boy Soames Hewitt is drunk, just moments before he is scheduled to ride a dangerous brahma bull.
The Mob Riders
— · October 29, 1962
Local teen-agers become upset when they discover that the old arena they use for stock car races will be converted into a rodeo IF Stoney Burke agrees to perform there.
A Matter of Pride
— · November 5, 1962
Rodeo rider Miller Hill ties himself so tightly to a brahma bull he is riding that he ends up being killed by the animal. His family refuse to accept money that Stoney collects to help them in their hour of need.
Sidewinder
— · November 12, 1962
Stoney is hit with a lawsuit when the bronc he is riding crashes thru a fence and injures a woman spectator, Loreen Julian.
The Scavenger
— · November 19, 1962
Stoney's friendship with Ves is put to the test when Ves is jailed for murder. When a money clip belonging to the dead man is found in Ves' car even Stoney begins to have his doubts. A street bum holds the key, or in this case, a watch, to Ves' salvation. But first,Stoney and the boys must find him.
Cousin Eunice
— · December 24, 1962
Cloris Leachman plays Eunice Stocker, E.J.'s cousin. She wants E.J. to train her to be a rodeo trick rider.
Gold Plated Maverick
— · January 7, 1963
A rich man, Byron Latimer, wants Stoney to help him tame his out of control teen-age son, David.
Death Rides a Pale Horse
— · January 14, 1963
Stoney must compete against an emotionally disturbed bronc rider.
Cat's Eyes
— · February 11, 1963
A fellow rodeo rider and friend of Stoney's is killed during a ride. Before he dies, he asks Stoney to take care of his girlfriend. But the dead man's brother blames her for his death and calls her a jinx, as this is the second time a man she cared for has died. She comes to believe she is a jinx herself.
Webb of Fear
— · February 18, 1963
Stoney experiences a series of accidents at the rodeo arena. He then begins receiving threatening phone calls. Ves becomes convinced that the ""accidents"" were not accidental afterall.
Point of Entry
— · March 4, 1963
Stoney and the boys cross into Mexico for some rest and relaxation. Stoney falls for a mysterious woman(Antoinette Bower). Unfortunately, she only wants to use Stoney as an alibi for her involvement in the assassination of a European diplomat.
Weapons Man
— · April 8, 1963
During an exhibition of Indian archery, a government official is killed.
Kelly's Place
— · April 15, 1963
The boys take Stoney to a fancy club for his birthday. He meets the owner and singer who is having a few problems with her boyfriend and partner. Will spending time with Stoney help put things back where they belong?
Kincaid
— · April 22, 1963
Sgt. Andy Kincaid runs a center for boys who keep getting into trouble. The rodeo comes to the city and Stoney and the kids are asked to help with ticket sales. One of the kids thinks it's a great idea—he's planning on keeping the money for himself.
A Girl Named Amy
— · April 29, 1963
Amy Jensen is in charge of the Caldwell College Student Rodeo. She volunteered for the job because she's got a very serious crush on family friend Stoney. Amy has visions of wedding bells, but Stoney may have other ideas.
Tigress by the Tail
— · May 6, 1963
Spoiled Donna Weston wants it all but is so far in debt she can't see daylight. Her late father once saved Stoney's life and he feels obligated to help Donna, but she's more than he can afford.
The Test
— · May 13, 1963
When the shoot gate won't open, Stoney gets trampled by a bronc. He should only have a concussion, but he can't move his legs. The doctors can't find a reason for it, but it keeps him from the National Finals and may keep him from riding ever again.
The Journey
— · May 20, 1963
Stoney is unable to ride at the World Championship Rodeo because of a badly injured hand. Desperate for money to send to his folks and hitting bottom, he takes a job delivering horses to the slaughter house. One of the horses turns out to be Megaton. Stoney takes a good hard look at where he's headed—and the slaughter house isn't it.
