#ben cartwright

[image 1:

a screencap from the episode “rain from heaven.” lying in hoss’ bed is mary beth weems- played by child actress eileen chesis- who has been suffering from typhoid and tended to by hoss. on hoss’ nightstand is a framed photograph of his mother. mary beth looks up at him upon waking from her fevered sleep, and hoss, in a chair at her bedside, leans forward to check on her. mary beth then asks hoss if he’s an angel, causing him to smile.

overlaid in the top left corner is a tweet with a white background and black text. it was written by an individual with the username maybeeevirgo and reads “if angels don’t exist explain him.” the ‘him’ has been added, changing the original tweet slightly.]

[image 2:

a screencap from the episode “the quality of mercy.” in joe’s bedroom, he and ben stand side by side in front of a dresser. joe looks away from his father, his expression distraught and conflicted, and bites at his fingernails. ben frowns at joe in concern, a hand on his arm, making a small stroking motion with his thumb.

overlaid in the bottom left corner is a partial screenshot of recommended pinterest boards, with a white background and black text. it reads “Ideas for you: existential crisis pretty boy aesthetic.” it is in a list format, and the options “existential crisis” and “pretty boy aesthetic” are in bold.]

[image 3:

a screencap from the episode “the prime of life.” in a wooded area, adam props himself up on a the handle of a tall shovel, leaning against it. he wears an exasperated look, impatient and frustrated at the circumstances that have suddenly led he and his brothers to become responsible for a timber deal and railroad contract. the screencap was taken from this gifset.

overlaid in the bottom right corner is a partial screenshot of a wikipedia page, focused on the categories of expandable information with drop down arrows. it is black text on a white background, and reads “Life. Trauma and mental illness. Sexuality. Reputation as outsider.” it is in a list format, each category with a drop down arrow.]

[image 4:

a screencap from the episode “the newcomers.” hoss and the character emily pennington- portrayed by actress inger stevens- are seen from behind while near a pond in a wooded area. emily, weak and very ill, has been lifted up into hoss’ arms, him carrying her until an easier and less sandy terrain can be reached. she wraps an arm around his back, her long skirts and petticoat trailing beside her.

overlaid in the bottom left corner is a tumblr post with a white background and black text. it was written by an individual with the username thefiresontheheight and reads “Good reasons to get stronger: 1. Lift girlfriend. 2. Lift wife (someday, I hope). 3. Protect women. 4. Intimidate men.” it is in a list format.]

[image 5:

a screencap from the episode “journey remembered.” ben and a six year old adam- played by child actor johnny stephens- stand close together, ben’s hand on adam’s back, in the clearing of a forest. a small group of mourners departs to allow them a moment alone. they look down at two graves, each marked with a crudely constructed cross, their focus on inger’s, their beloved wife and stepmother.

overlaid in the top right corner is a tweet with a white background and black text. it was written by an individual with the username AMELITA_ and reads ““Wow you’re so mature for your age!” thanks it was the trauma.”]

[image 6:

a screencap from the episode “old sheba.” just outside of the ponderosa’s barn, ben sits near the gate of the corral, leaning back in his chair against the wood fencing. he reads by the light of an oil lamp, unfazed at the presence of the large circus elephant a few feet away in the corral. he tells the elephant to go to sleep when she starts playing with him with her trunk.

overlaid on the left side in the middle is a tweet with a white background and black text. it was written by an individual with the username ekto8vbx11njzkj and reads “i think the elephant really ties the room together.”]

[image 7:

a screencap from the episode “the last viking.” a wounded joe sits and leans against a boulder, hoss and and a neighbor- carrie mcclane, played by actress sonya wilde- around him. there’s blood on his shirt, staining his shoulder and chest. hoss reaches out, grabbing joe’s arm and putting a hand on his stomach; he’d been told joe had been killed, and is relieved his brother is alive, but is still concerned over the injury and what’s been done to him. hoss cups the side of joe’s head with his other hand. joe tilts his head into it, eyes closed and smiling, relaxed now that hoss is there.

overlaid in the bottom left corner is a tumblr post with a white background and black text. it was written by an individual with the username c-ptsdofficial and reads “im full of softness n love but i am also full of trauma.”]

[image 8:

a screencap from the episode “the crucible.” adam stands in a dry and rocky area, wearing torn, dirty clothing with a sweat-through bandanna on his forehead. his expression is one of heartbroken desperation as he looks up upon hearing his family calling for him and looking for him. his mouth hangs open and his eyes fill with tears, knowing he cannot reply, because his captor would likely harm or kill his father and brothers if they entered the campsite.

overlaid in the bottom right corner is a tumblr post with a white background and black and blue text. it was written by an individual with the username soapincorporated, the option to ‘follow’ in blue. it reads “said with increasing distress and volume fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball fuck it we ball.”]

[image 9:

a screencap from the episode “blessed are they.” joe and a young boy the ponderosa has taken in- kenny, portrayed by child actor rory o’brien- are in the dining room. joe is kneeled down to the boy’s height, wrapping his left arm around the child’s legs, and kenny grabs at the collar of joe’s shirt. joe’s hands and shirt are covered with stains and he has a streak of flour across his face. he looks up at hoss, who’s offscreen, wearing an expression of increasing impatience, while kenny giggles, unaffected. in his right hand, joe holds a pink and black squealing piglet.

overlaid in the top left corner is a partial screenshot of a wikipedia page, focused on the categories of expandable information with drop down arrows. it is black text on a white background, and reads “Before the Pig. Pig.” it is in a list format, each category with a drop down arrow.]

[image 10:

a screencap from the episode “little man… ten feet tall.” hoss sits in front of the fireplace in the living room of the ponderosa. he smiles slightly, his eyes bright with fondness as he looks up at his family and friends.