The Young Riders Episode Guide
------------------------------


The Young Riders is a well-written adult action drama with 
fine directors, good acting, wonderful camera work, and great music.  
The first season, the pilot episode was nominated for a cinematographic
award and it won an Emmy for costumes.  In August 1991, YR won an Emmy 
for its music.  The photography is often breathtaking.

Based on the Pony Express which lasted for almost two years, many of 
the stories focus on issues of the time, while other stories present
a view of that time period through modern eyes.  Some of the characters
(Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Jesse James) are directly 
from the pages of the Wild West.  While they may never have met in real 
life, the stories often foreshadow their futures.  Other characters
(The Kid, Lou, Buck, Teaspoon, Noah, Rachel, Emma, and Sam) 
are solid and credible.

There is humor, romance, adventure, a sense of family, and strong 
consistent relationships between the regular characters.  What makes 
these characters even more interesting is that they have small flaws
which makes them seem more credible and real.  The stories don't always have
perfect endings.  There is some measure of violence but it only mirrors
one of the most violent times in our history. 


Season 1

Episode 1: The Kid 
Date: 20 Sep 89
The Kid must face down a bandit who has destroyed an Express outpost 
and injured Lou.  This is the pilot that introduced each of the
riders.  The Kid finds out Lou is a girl and keeps her secret.

Episode 2: Gunfighter        
Date: 21 Sep 89
Emma, the Kid and Teaspoon try to prevent a shoot out between Hickock and
and a vicious gunman.

Episode 3: Home Of The Brave
Date: 28 Sep 89
An Indian raid on a nearby way station causes the townspeople
to vent their hostility on Buck.  Ike is captured by Buck's
brother's tribe while on a run.  Buck saves Ike and the tribe
puts him through rites to prove that he is a real Indian at heart.  

Episode 4: Speak No Evil      
Date: 5 Oct 89
A band of killers try to prevent Ike, the only witness to a 
stagecoach massacre, from testifying against their leader.

Episode 5: Bad Blood        
Date: 12 Oct 89
Lou attempts to rescue her younger brother and sister, who have
been kidnapped from an orphanage by her estranged father.  The Kid
realizes she is in trouble and leads the other riders to her. The 
other riders find out that she is a girl.

Episode 6: Black Ulysses         
Date: 26 Oct 89
The riders try to help a runaway slave accused of murder.
The Kid who grew up in the South learns a valuable lesson.
In the end, he stands up for Black Ulysses and asks him to stay.

Episode 7: Ten-Cent Hero      
Date: 2 Nov 89
A novelist avenges himself after being beaten by Hickock by writing
a story that entices others to challenge Hickock to gunfights.

Episode 8: False Colors        
Date: 9 Nov 89
The Kid learns that his long-lost brother may be part of a 
plan to steal a gold shipment.

Episode 9: A Good Day To Die       
Date: 16 Nov 89
The Kid captures a Sioux brave at the site of an Indian
massacre and brings him to justice.

Episode 10: End Of Innocence       
Date: 30 Nov 89
Emma and Hickock are trapped at Ft Reunion by an unstable
commanding officer who orders Hickock shot for treason.
Hickock kisses Emma, but she tells him he is too young for her.
 
Episode 11: Blind Love        
Date: 7 Dec 89
Hickock falls in love with a girl, and she and her real husband
frame him for murder.  The Kid and Lou find proof that saves
Hickock.
 
Episode 12: The Keepsake       
Date: 14 Dec 89
A young woman claims to be Teaspoons daughter, while her
companion plots to steal a fortune.  During a dance, the Kid 
steps outside with Lou and dances with her by a corral.

Episode 13: Fall From Grace
Date: 4 Jan 90
A fake argument with Teaspoon allows Hickock to quit the Pony Express
and join a gang of hired guns led by a ruthless madam.  Hickock
is secretly working for the Army.

Episode 14: Hard Time    
Date: 11 Jan 90 
The Kid winds up in a slave labor camp after being railroaded
into jail in a corrupt town.

Episode 15: Lady For A Night
Date: 18 Jan 90
Lou drops her male disguise in a distant town and finds herself
having dinner with a man who turns out to be a robber.

Episode 16: Unfinished Business
Date: 1 Feb 90
After surviving a massacre of wealthy settlers near Salt Lake City,
Emma's estranged husband returns seeking shelter, and raises
the suspicions of Sam and the riders.

Episode 17: Decoy
Date: 8 Feb 90
Cody rides with what he thinks is an important message and is chased 
by outlaw Union soldiers; an abandoned baby is left with the riders.

Episode 18: Daddy's Girl 
Date: 15 Feb 90
Buck falls in love with the daughter of Sweetwater's ruthless
new banker, and runs into trouble with his henchmen.

Episode 19: Bulldog        
Date: 22 Feb 90
An educated stranger's attempts to emulate Hickock lead to trouble.

Episode 20: Matched Pair  
Date: 8 Mar 90
The influence of an old Machiavellian teacher lead Hickock into a
deadly confrontation with an old friend.  (Lame episode.)  

Episode 21: Man Behind the Badge
Date: 22 Mar 90
The riders help Sam clear his name, and regain his job after
an old enemy with a score to settle tries to take over Sweetwater.

Episode 22: And Then There Was One...      
Date: 5 Apr 90
Teaspoon searches for a killer hunting down his old friends, who
were the only survivors of the Alamo.  Hickock and Buck follow.

Episode 23: Gathering Clouds Part 1       
Date: 7 May 90
The Kid finds himself secretly helping the Army to learn the
identity of the leader of rebel guerillas (David Soul).

Episode 24: Gathering Clouds Part 2       
Date: 14 May 90
As Civil War draws nearer, Sweetwater becomes an embattled town
caught between the Army and Hawk's Raiders.

Season 2

Episode 1: Born To Hang       
Date: 22 Sep 90
A free black man's purchase of slaves to free them angers a con man;
a wagon train of slaves headed for freedom becomes endangered.
Teaspoon is Sweetwater's new marshal after Emma and Sam get married and
Sam becomes Territorial Marshal, and the riders must find a new 
housekeeper.  Noah joins the riders.

Episode 2: Ghosts        
Date: 29 Sep 90
The riders find out that Rachel is wanted for murder, and an enemy
thought dead hunts for Teaspoon.  Lou and the Kid ride to help
Rachel clear her name.  Teaspoon finally realizes Lou is a girl.

Episode 3: Dead Ringer  
Date: 6 Oct 90
Hickock becomes the target of a vicious bounty hunter after he's
framed for robbery and murder.

Episode 4: Blood Moon
Date: 13 Oct 90
A lynch mob threatens the life of a boy believed to be a 
cholera carrier, and quarantines Sweetwater.

Episode 5: Pride And Prejudice
Date: 27 Oct 90
Buck scouts out an expedition to retrieve white captives of
the Lakota tribe, with devastating results.  They find
Thompson's wife and daughter whom he thought dead.

Episode 6: The Littlest Cowboy
Date: 3 Nov 90
Ike has problems dealing with a dying, handicapped youngster,
whose last wish is to see the riders in action.

Episode 7: Blood Money      
Date: 10 Nov 90
The Kid unknowingly brings an innocent man in to face judgement
from a crooked marshal.  Some of the other riders go with
him to confront the crooked marshal.

Episode 8: Requiem For A Hero        
Date: 17 Nov 90
Cody meets his hero, an old plainsman (Pernell Roberts) who 
teaches him a lesson in ecology, and helps him investigate violent
attacks against the Indians.  Lou and the Kid face their feelings
and make love for the first time.

Episode 9: Bad Company   
Date: 1 Dec 90
Hickock's remorse over accidently killing a woman prompts
him to take a sheriff's job in a lawless town.  The Kid and Noah
ride to the rescue.

Episode 10: Star Light Star Bright         
Date: 8 Dec 90
Hickock rescues an old prospector (Brian Keith) from an ambush,
and he appears to repay the kindness by sharing his mine with the riders.

Episode 11: The Play's the Thing
Date: 29 Dec 90
Cody joins a group of actors trying to bring culture to the
territory, and unknowingly falls into an assassination plot.
This episode was scheduled much earlier, but postponed.

Episode 12: Judgement Day        
Date: 5 Jan 91
While mourning the death of Hezekiah Horne, and the mistreatment
of the environment by progress, Cody joins up with a preacher
who also heads a gang of bounty hunters.  The Kid proposes
but Lou won't take him seriously.

Episode 13: Kansas        
Date: 12 Jan 91
Noah is captured by the con artist who's ambush of a Freedom Train
he helped thwart, and the riders must find him before he's sold
into slavery (w/Richard Roundtree).  Rachel and Lou gamble to
get back Noah's silver saddle.

Episode 14: The Peacemakers        
Date: 19 Jan 91
Hickock falls for a girl who is a member of a religious sect being
persecuted by townsfolk.  The Kid worries about Lou's rides
and becomes over protective.

Episode 15: Daisy         
Date: 2 Feb 91
Rachel's ex-partner (William Russ) arrives with his daughter while
on the run from a con/theft in New Orleans.  The Kid asks Lou
to marry him.  When she refuses they break up.

Episode 16: Color Blind      
Date: 9 Feb 91
On the rebound, the Kid is attracted to Sweetwater's new schoolteacher, 
who has a mysterious past; Hickock tries to cheer up Lou, who is depressed
after seeing Kid falling for another woman.

Episode 17: Old Scores         
Date: 16 Feb 91
Ike meets one of the men responsible for his family's massacre,
and tries to find a way to prove it and get even.  Meanwhile,
the other riders chase down a mysterious beast.

Episode 18: The Talisman        
Date: 23 Feb 91
When an old friend sends a message for help, Teaspoon brings
Hickock, Cody, Noah and Kid to help out a Mexican town under siege
by bandits.  (2nd half preempted by ground war offensive)

Episode 19: A Noble Chase        
Date: 9 Mar 91
Hickock races bounty hunter Jake Colter to bring in an alleged
bank robber and collect the sizable reward.  (Episode saved
by guest actor playing Chase.)  

Episode 20: Face Of The Enemy    
Date: 6 Apr 91
Teaspoon's old friend, a war hero, endangers everyone in Sweetwater
when he orders an attack on a Sioux peace delegation.
         
Episode 21: The Exchange (2 Parts)   
Date: 4 May 91
 (season finale; 2 hrs)
When Teaspoon is given a prisoner to transport to the Army
for hanging, Amanda is kidnapped.  Lou sneaks into the 
compound to help rescue Amanda but is caught and captured.  
The riders attempt to exchange the prisoner for Lou and Amanda.

Season 3

Episode 1: A House Divided                      Date: 9/28/91
The Kid and Hickock leave Sweetwater to rebuild the station
in Rock Creek.  The riders are assigned to the new station.

Episode 2: Jesse                                Date:  10/5/91
Lou meets Jesse and takes him to Rock Creek.  Hickock and Teaspoon
take an interest in Jesse.

Episode 3: The Blood Of Others                  Date: 10/12/91
The Kid, Hickock, and Lou take someone to hang.  On the way,
the Kid is hurt leaving the others to go forward alone.  Hickock
identifies with the man because of his own past and is tormented
in thinking of his own future.  Lou tries to comfort him and he
kisses her.  They back off because they are not really interested
in each other "that way".  Hickock decides to let the man go, but the 
man tells Hickock it is time for him to die.  The Kid arrives in time 
to save them all from an ex-sheriff trying to kill the guy who is to hang.

Episode 4: Between Rock Creek And A Hard Place  Date: 10/26/91
Noah is accused of killing a military officer with whom
he fought.  He romances a woman in the town. 

Episode 5: The Presence Of Mine Enemies         Date: 11/9/91
Ike falls for the daughter of a gambler and is killed trying
to protect her.

Episode 6: Survivors                            Date: 11/16/91
Cody is attracted to the widow of a gun runner and helps her
son adjust without his father.  Buck has problems dealing with
his memories of Ike.  Lou talks with Cody about how hard it
was for her and the Kid with all the others giving them
such a difficult time for being in love.

Episode 7: Initiation                           Date: 11/25/91
Hickock arrests Frank James and Jesse is torn between his
brother and his friends.  The Kid tells Lou he may be forced
to leave her if the war starts.

Episode 8: Just Like Old Times                  Date: 11/30/91
On the anniversary of his brother's death, the Kid leaves the station
early one morning to spend some time alone.  Lou tracks him down
to check on him.  Shortly thereafter, his old childhood sweetheart 
arrives in town.  He sees her through adult eyes but is troubled by 
the past.  Although jealous, Lou tries to help.  When the woman dies, 
Lou tells the Kid he isn't alone and that she is still there for him.

Episode 9: Spirits                              Date: 12/7/91
Rachel thinks about the past when she begins to fall for a military man 
with a drinking problem.

Episode 10: A Tiger's Tale                       Date: 12/28/91
Cody and Noah transport a tiger to St. Jo.  Jesse sends Lou
an anonymous love letter.  Lou thinks the letter is from the Kid.

Episode 11: Good Night Sweet Charlotte           Date: 1/4/92
An old friend of Lou's settles in Rock Creek stirring up
terrible memories of the man who attacked Lou when she was 
young.  The bad memories cause her to pull away from the Kid.  
After her friend dies and she confronts the man, Lou decides
to tell the Kid what happened so he can help her get over the
past.  Hickock tries to rescue a dying Indian but ends up taking 
his body home. 

Episode 12: Song Of Isiah                        Date: 1/18/92 
Hickock visits his sister and gets involved with a fanatic set
on using violence to rescue slaves.  The Kid arrives to help
him in the end.

Episode 13: Spies                                Date: 1/25/92
The riders become involved in a conspiracy to steal gold
shipments.  A woman holds the secret to locating the gold
shipments in a book of love poems.  The Kid gives the book to
Lou but Lou is furious when she finds out who gave him the book.
The Kid explains and they make up.  Later Lou takes the woman's 
place.  

Episode 14: Shadowmen                            Date: 5/21/92
After a small boy is killed, Hickock sets out to track the bad
guys.  (Average episode.)

Episode 15: Mask Of Fear                         Date: 5/28/92
After serving his time, a convicted murderer returns to Rock Creek.
Jesse's boss is killed and he blames the murderer.  Rachel tries
to help Jesse face the truth.

Episode 16: Dark Brother                         Date: 6/4/92
A woman who was once Buck's promised wife comes to visit and
is taken over by an evil spirit.

Episode 17: The Road Not Taken                   Date: 6/11/92
Hickock goes after a killer and Jesse follows.  Meanwhile back at the
station, the other riders are angry at Cody for a published story he 
wrote about them.  (In a small way, the end of this episode redeems 
YR for including Jesse as a regular).

Episode 18: The Sacrifice                        Date: 6/25/92
The Kid and Lou plan to spend a special time together in a town where
the bank has recently been robbed.  One of the outlaws is in
jail and the town is under siege.  The Kid takes over for the
sheriff.  Meanwhile Hickock and Teaspoon, not knowing The Kid and Lou
are there, are on their way to help the town but run into trouble
when they find a slave about to be hung.  The Kid proposes to Lou
and she accepts.

Episode 19: Lessons Learned                      Date: 7/9/92
Teaspoon's ex-wife moves to Rock Creek.  Meanwhile a gunslinger
is out for revenge and attacks her.  (Possibly the worst
episode of the series.)

Episode 20: The Debt                             Date: 7/16/92
Lou has doubts about giving up "Lou" for "Louise" and leaves
town to find a wedding dress so as not to upset others with her
doubts.  Hickock, meanwhile, is trying to find out what happened
to a new rider.  Lou apparently resolves her doubts.

Episode 21 and 22: Till Death Do Us Part           Date:7/23/92
Series Finale on ABC
Amidst the approaching chaos of the Civil War, Lou and The Kid
marry. Noah is killed in a skirmish with Southern raiders.