This episode of Bonanza finds Ben Cartwright reminiscing about meeting up with his second wife and Dan Blocker's mother. She's played here by Inga Swenson and the story is a two part one with the second episode continued into the next year.
Jeremy Slate plays her younger brother and devoted fans of Bonanza remember that an older version of the character visited the Ponderosa in a previous episode and was played by Neville Brand. Bearing this in mind we see the origin of the character Brand became.
Swenson and Slate were left a general store by their parents, but she runs the place while Slate is just one lazy lout who likes to drink and brawl. Into their lives come Lorne Greene with his young son Adam played by Johnny Stephens who are heading west, with Greene still grieving over the death of Adam's mother. Their travels have taken them to Missouri where Slate and Swenson have their store.
James Philbrook is the town's wealthiest businessman and he means to have that store one way or another, either marry Swenson or swindle her out of the store. As Greene and Slate don't hit it off, Philbrook plays on Slate's weaknesses to get what he wants. He can't have Swenson because she's fallen for Lorne Greene and is ready to become Mrs. Ben Cartwright number two.
Inger My Love is a good episode and necessary to see for an understanding of the dynamics of the Cartwright clan.