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22 Episodes 1981 - 1982
Episode 1
Tue, Nov 3, 1981 60 mins
In the series pilot, Murphy (Merlin Olsen) runs afoul of the greedy town boss (Burr DeBenning). Part 1 of two. Moses: Moses Gunn. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Will: Timothy Gibbs. Rodman: Charles Tyner.
Episode 2
Tue, Nov 3, 1981 60 mins
In the conclusion of the series pilot, Murphy and Moses (Merlin Olsen, Moses Gunn) establish a school for orphans, and Murphy confronts Garrett about mining claims. Garrett: Burr DeBenning. Tuttle: Ivy Bethune. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 3
Tue, Nov 10, 1981 60 mins
Murphy's patience is tested when a newly ordained priest (Richard Bergman) tries to run the school on his own. Merlin Olsen, Moses Gunn. Sloan: Erwin Fuller.
Episode 4
Tue, Nov 17, 1981 60 mins
A black teenager's hostility moves Murphy (Merlin Olsen) to challenge the youth to a manly test. Lijah: Mykel T. Williamson. Moses: Moses Gunn. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 5
Tue, Nov 24, 1981 60 mins
Father Parker (Richard Bergman) trades livestock for a horse "guaranteed" to win the $1000 Founder's Day race. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Ada: Christina Applegate.
Episode 6
Tue, Dec 1, 1981 60 mins
Ephram has a crush on a girl (Shannen Doherty) who has eyes only for Will. First of two parts. Ephram: Scott Mellini. Will: Timothy Gibbs. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Eli McQuade: Jack Elam. Mae: Katherine Cannon.
Episode 7
Tue, Dec 8, 1981 60 mins
Conclusion. Murphy and Eli (Merlin Olsen, Jack Elam) devise a plan to free the boys from the workhouse. Will: Timothy Gibbs. Dru: Shannen Doherty. Ephram: Scott Mellini.
Episode 8
Tue, Dec 15, 1981 60 mins
The need for state aid may force the school to sever ties with the Church---and "Father" Murphy (Merlin Olsen). Rodman: Charles Tyner. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Simpson: Graham Jarvis. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 9
Tue, Dec 22, 1981 60 mins
An eccentric (Steve Levitt) with a deed to the school property plans to reopen the mine and close the school. Merlin Olsen, Moses Gunn. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 10
Tue, Jan 5, 1982 60 mins
An old miner (Douglas V. Fowley) asks Mae for "book learnin' " to court a widow. Ruby Dobbins: Amzie Strickland. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Rodman: Charles Tyner. Tuttle: Ivy Bethune. Murphy: Merlin Olsen.
Episode 11
Tue, Jan 12, 1982 60 mins
Will (Timothy Gibbs) is kidnapped by his estranged father (Michael Pataki), who's convinced that the boy has found gold. Merlin Olsen, Moses Gunn. Mae: Katherine Cannon.
Episode 12
Tue, Jan 19, 1982 60 mins
With Murphy and Mae away, the children acquire a piano in exchange for the use of the school as a casino. Moses: Moses Gunn. Rodman: Charles Tyner. Toby: Don Knight. Will: Timothy Gibbs. Lizette: Lisa Trusel.
Episode 13
Tue, Feb 2, 1982 60 mins
A racist group issues an ultimatum to Moses (Moses Gunn); a 16-year-old Confederate Army veteran joins the community. Jeff: Randy Morton. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Marshall: Roger Torrey. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 14
Tue, Feb 9, 1982 60 mins
A swindler's accomplice (Juanin Clay) assumes the identity of a nun assigned to inspect the Gold Hill School. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Warren Collier: Randolph Powell. Helen: Elizabeth Hoy. Moses: Moses Gunn.
Episode 15
Tue, Feb 16, 1982 60 mins
The arrival of a new orphan (Jason Tomarken) threatens the future of the school. Rodman: Charles Tyner. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Moses: Moses Gunn. Will: Timothy Gibbs.
Episode 16
Tue, Feb 23, 1982 60 mins
A wealthy widow (Brenda Benet) from New York seeks to adopt Will (Timothy Gibbs). Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Moses: Moses Gunn. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Charles: Ivor Barry.
Episode 17
Tue, Mar 2, 1982 60 mins
Thinking himself a failure, Father Parker (Richard Bergman) leaves the priesthood and takes a job in a saloon. Nita: Suzanne Adkinson. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. O'Bannion: Taylor Lacher. Rudd: Will Hunt.
Episode 18
Sun, Mar 14, 1982 60 mins
Matt and David fear separation when the orphanage holds an open house for prospective parents. Matt: Byron Thames. David: Kirk Brennan. Chris: Neil Billingsley. Beatrice: Tina Yothers. Arnie: Matt Freeman.
Episode 19
Sun, Mar 21, 1982 60 mins
Moses (Moses Gunn) and the children run up against horse thieves. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Harold: Josh Schulman. Abby: Ann Doran. Will: Timothy Gibbs. Rawlins: Jerry Gatlin.
Episode 20
Sun, Mar 28, 1982 60 mins
Matt (Byron Thames) falls for the daughter of the greedy town boss (Burr DeBenning). Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Elizabeth: Amanda Peterson. Willoughby: Wilfrid Hyde-White. Moses: Moses Gunn. Mae: Katherine Cannon.
Episode 21
Sun, Apr 4, 1982 60 mins
Father Parker's efforts to find a church site are thwarted; a troubled teenager develops a crush on Murphy. First of two parts. Merlin Olsen. Garrett: Burr DeBenning. Father Parker: Richard Bergman. Emma: Donna Wilkes.
Episode 22
Sun, Apr 11, 1982 60 mins
Conclusion. Murphy and Mae are married, and Rodman (Charles Tyler) schemes to gain custody of the children immediately following the wedding. Murphy: Merlin Olsen. Garrett: Burr DeBenning. Mae: Katherine Cannon. Moses: Moses Gunn. Walker: Jerry Hardin.