Show cover for The Chisholms

The Best Episodes of The Chisholms

Every episode of The Chisholms ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Chisholms!

The Chisholms is a CBS western miniseries starring Robert Preston, which aired from March 29, 1979, to April 19, 1979; and continued as a television series from January 19, 1980, to March 15, 1980. The 1979 miniseries showed the family moving from Virginia to Wyoming. When the TV series commenced in 1980, the pioneers were shown en route along the California Trail from Wyoming to Sacramento, California.

Genre:Western
Network:NBC

Top Episode Ratings Summary

The best episode of "The Chisholms" is "Chapter III", rated 8/10 from 12 user votes. It was directed by N/A and written by Evan Hunter. "Chapter III" aired on 4/12/1979 and is rated 0.3 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Betrayal".

  • Chapter III
    8.0/10 12 votes

    #1 - Chapter III

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/12/1979

    The Chisholms make their way across the plains and get attacked by Indians before they reach Ft. Laramie. Will and Gideon get out of jail and find a young Indian woman hiding in a house and bring her along with them.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Evan Hunter

  • Betrayal
    7.7/10 8 votes

    #2 - Betrayal

    Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 1/26/1980

    Betsy uses her charms to create a rivalry between Bo and Gideon for her affections. When grazing foe the cattle is destroyed by fire the troops use grain intended for the Indians for feed.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Paul Savage

  • Chapter IV
    7.6/10 13 votes

    #3 - Chapter IV

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/19/1979

    Lester shows up at Ft. Laramie. Then Will and Gideon arrive. Will wants Lester hung for stealing his horse. Bonnie Sue reveals she is pregnant with Lester's child. The Chisholms start to make a home outside of the fort.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Evan Hunter

  • Chapter II
    7.5/10 11 votes

    #4 - Chapter II

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/5/1979

    As the Chisholms move west, they notice a man is following them. Soon Lester disappears with Will's horse. Will and Gideon set off after Lester and the horse while the family continues on their westward journey.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Evan Hunter

  • The Promised Land
    7.2/10 7 votes

    #5 - The Promised Land

    Season 2 Episode 6 - Aired 2/23/1980

    The family buries Hadley and finds an empty tavern and bar near by. Min decides she wants to stay. They learn there is a tax lien on the property and they don't have any money. An old friend of Cooper's rides by.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Evan Hunter, David Dortort

  • Death in the Sierras
    6.8/10 8 votes

    #6 - Death in the Sierras

    Season 2 Episode 5 - Aired 2/16/1980

    The family realizes they don't have enough food to get through the mountains. Will and Keewidinok go on ahead to get supplies and bring them back. Snow starts to fall as the wagons move. Hadley's health does not seem to be improving.

    Director: Nicholas Webster

    Writer: N/A

  • The Suitor
    6.8/10 7 votes

    #7 - The Suitor

    Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 3/1/1980

    A friend of Hawkins stops by for a visit. He leaves and then returns with a bullet hole. Min and the girls go into town where Min catches the attention of Mr. Sinclair who is a widower.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chapter I
    6.5/10 13 votes

    #8 - Chapter I

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 3/29/1979

    The Chisholms learn that the Virginia land they have been working has been deeded away. They decide it is time to pull up stakes and take their wagon west to California. When they get to Louisville, they hire Lester Hackett as a guide.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Evan Hunter

  • Seige
    6.4/10 9 votes

    #9 - Seige

    Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 1/19/1980

    Ft. Laramie comes under siege from hostile Native Americans as the Chisholm family draw near.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: Paul Savage

  • Endless Desert
    6.4/10 9 votes

    #10 - Endless Desert

    Season 2 Episode 3 - Aired 2/2/1980

    Hadley decides he can not be in a wagon train with Cooper Hawkins. He leaves the train and takes a new, faster trail to California through the desert. Betsy asks if she can join the Chisholms, but she starts to cause family friction.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: N/A

  • Vengeance
    6.2/10 8 votes

    #11 - Vengeance

    Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 2/9/1980

    As the Chisholms continue across the desert, the come across Betsy's brothers. Soon, Cooper Hawkins arrives and is searching for the brothers. Hadley has to decide who is telling the truth.

    Director: Mel Stuart

    Writer: N/A

  • The Siren Song
    6.2/10 7 votes

    #12 - The Siren Song

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/1980

    Bo's friendship with a Franciscan padre tries the patience of devoutly Baptist Minerva.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chains
    6.0/10 7 votes

    #13 - Chains

    Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/1980

    While the family is picking up some apple trees they ordered from Cape Horn, Keewidinok's life was saved by a black man who had just arrived from Africa. When they arrived home, the trees were broken and family arguments ensued.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 5
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #14 - Episode 5

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 2/16/1980

    No description available

    Director: Nicholas Webster

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 6
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #15 - Episode 6

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 2/23/1980

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Evan Hunter

  • Episode 7
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #16 - Episode 7

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/1/1980

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 8
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #17 - Episode 8

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/1980

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Episode 9
    NaN/10 0 votes

    #18 - Episode 9

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/1980

    No description available

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A