Original subtitles

Oh, we don't need some fancy sewer system. But our town is growing and the

could get contaminated.

You can see all the garbage piling up in the streets.

We always do. Step around.

People, please.

Let's take a vote.

All those in favor of putting in a new sewer system say aye.

Aye.

Opposed? No.

Sounds like the motion's defeated.

So is there any new business?

Aye.

I do.

I've been hearing stuff from the telegram and folks passing through.

Our town's getting a name for being rowdy and attracting unruly types.

I say we ought to outlaw women entertaining in the saloon. Sit down,

This is no time for joking.

I ain't joking. Our town ought to be clean and safe for families. I don't

it's a joke either.

I think we're all tired and short on patience right now, so if there's no

new business, let's adjourn the town meeting. Wait, wait, wait.

We've got to get a committee to find a new school teacher. I can't keep

volunteering. I've got a newspaper to print.

Why don't we put this off till the next meeting?

Now, when will that be?

When it's convenient for everyone. Let's say, uh, in a month.

We've got things that can't wait.

Lauren. Well, it's true.

We got things we got to decide on. Especially with the railroad coming.

Maybe we ought to, you know, organize some kind of a town government.

Well, that's a good idea, Loren.

What we need here is a mayor.

Yeah, that's right.

It's about time this town had a mayor. I nominate Loren Bray.

Thanks, I appreciate that more than I can tell you. But, well, what we really

need is someone more like... I nominate Jake Slicker for mayor.

to have an election.

Let's hear some more nominations.

I nominate Dr.

Mike. Good.

Thank you, but I really don't know much about politics.

You've been to college. You read all them books. You probably know more than

anybody here.

Oh, Horace, don't be a fool.

Can't have a lady mayor?

Why not?

Women can't even vote. How are they going to run the town?

Actually, gentlemen, there's nothing in the town charter that says a woman isn't

allowed to run for office. That can't be.

Well, you're more than welcome to read it.

I don't care what it says in the charter.

Can't have a lady mayor.

What's it going to make us look like?

Yeah, a town full of sissy?

Thank you for the nomination, Horace.

Fine.

We'll set the election for a week from today.

Is it really true? Are you running for mayor?

Well, I suppose I am. It happened so fast.

She's running again, Jake. Look, perhaps I acted precipitously.

Could be.

Does that mean you quit?

Is that what you like? Yeah. No, why?

Because this is going too far.

Dr. Mike, I just heard you're going to be mayor.

Well, I have to get elected still.

What does the mayor do?

Well, that's a good question, Ryan.

A mayor generally runs the town meetings and proposes laws, sets policies.

Think of how much good you could do.

Get us a fine teacher, safe streets.

Stop all the rowdy business.

Could you make it so women can vote, same as men?

I don't know.

Ah, Dr. Mug, you can't really mean to go through with this, can you? Of course

she can.

Fact is, I'd like to help run your campaign if you have me. You can't do

Dorothy. You've got to be neutral on account of your paper.

Well, I won't be printing my paper until it's over.

I'd like to help.

So would I. So would a lot of folks.

Dr. Mike?

That's all.

I think we should stop this before it gets going too far.

I'm not sure I want to stop it.

Politics is a dirty business.

Well, it doesn't have to be.

I have seen it again and again.

You start off with high ideas.

You make promises.

In the end, you trade, you make deals.

You give away everything you've got just to win.

I would never do that.

Well, how do you put yourself through it?

You don't stand a chance at winning.

People said that I could never become a doctor.

Or ride Flash in a race.

This is different. Face it.

Men in this town, they're never going to go for having a lady mayor.

We're the only ones that can vote.

Maybe I can't win.

But I can try.

That was the smartest thing you've ever done, nominating Dr. Munch. Oh, just

think, Myra, she wins.

You really think she could? Well, it's a long shot, but if she does, she'll make

it illegal for the girls to entertain.

What about my contract? Wait, it won't mean nothing anymore.

Oh, Horace, wouldn't that be wonderful? We could start a lot together in just a

week.

We could do everything in our power to make it happen.

Well, here it is.

Any citizen who has been a resident of the town for one year and who owns

property is eligible to vote.

They don't say they've got to be a man? No, but there's hardly any ladies in

this town who own property.

When they get married, the title passes to their husband.

You have a Dr. Mike under that clinic.

Oh, she'll get one vote.

A man's going to vote for her except whores, if you can count him a man.

I don't know. She's got a habit of getting what she wants no matter who's

against her. Oh, what are you worried about, Jake?

You'll beat her.

I'm going to run your campaign.

I'll tell you exactly what to do to get elected.

Like what?

Oh, you'll make speeches, put up signs.

We'll escort people to the polls.

Give them free drinks before they vote.

That's bribery, Hank.

Oh, no, it ain't. It's just the way you get folks elected.

I had an uncle once who was an alderman in St. Louis. I know the way these

things are done.

Mayor Snicker.

Get used to the sound of it, Your Honor.

What do you all think about Michaela running for mayor?

I don't trouble myself with politics.

Same here.

I got no mind to vote.

I think I'm well represented by my husband.

So you let him make all your decisions?

That's right.

And he takes care of all of your business?

Well, not exactly. I do keep all the books.

He don't read so good.

And I do all the correspondent and such with banks.

So you take care of the business, but it's in his name.

I... never thought of it that way.

But the law does, Rachel.

In the eyes of the law, a married woman is like a child.

You can't sign contracts or own property.

That's true. And you have no say in things that you ought to have a say in,

as... such as choosing a teacher for your children, or...

deciding whether the streets should be paved or what's going on at the saloon.

I'm with you on that.

There's too much drinking.

It leads them to fighting and beating on their wives.

My husband got to staying out drinking and he ran off with a lady.

He took my babies, too.

Judd said it was a law that he could have them if he wanted.

What kind of law is that?

Let's a man take babies away from their mother.

A law that was made by men.

I didn't know all this.

Truly.

I never realized I had no right.

I never gave it no thought.

Well, that's why this campaign is so important.

It's our chance to give everyone a voice.

That's been all right. That's Dandy Johnny Mallet.

Ira, you got a customer.

Do you know who that is?

Yeah, a man with money.

That's the one that hurt that girl in Manitou.

Ma 'am, I would never harm a lady.

You must have heard talk about somebody else.

No one's going to hurt nobody.

Get going.

No, Hank.

Those girls got together and voted. We ain't going to take him.

Get them fool ideas out of your head.

Hey there, little lady. How about a drink?

Why, sure, if you'll join me.

I like a man who can hold his liquor.

Have another...

Now,

they call this your kick -off speech.

So we gotta tell them what your platform is.

What's a platform?

It tells people what you stand for.

Like, what's most important to you.

Well, the first thing that I want to say is that... that women should have the

right to vote.

Folks ain't going to go for that.

Well, say it quick, and then tell them you want to cut down on lawlessness.

Everyone's for that.

And then talk about the school.

Oh, don't forget the ban on prostitution.

Well, that's not going to be real popular either.

But I believe in it.

You don't have to say everything you believe straight away.

And whatever you do, don't mention drinking or the saloon or this

over.

Oh, and remember to smile.

No matter what you're saying, smile.

because we, the people, means everyone.

Men and women. We're done.

We are all citizens, and we should all have the same rights.

Like

the right

to vote.

Ah, women are too emotional to vote.

I'd rather see my wife in her coffin than at the polls.

We do.

Not you. It's all the changes you're calling for. People don't like change.

Well, that's true.

They're just trying to scare you into quitting, same as they did Robert E. and

me when we bought our house. She's right.

Figured they'd knock you out of the mayor's race right from the start.

Well, I'm not quitting. Not now. Good.

You're not going to be selling no more wagons, are you?

Don't worry. That won't happen again.

Now, who's got a slogan for the banners?

Uh, how about win with Dr. Quinn?

That's catchy, Horace.

For change.

Dr.

Mike's got the cure. Cure for what? What ails this town?

him, Miss Rachel?

Why, Mr. Slicker. Pick up the baby.

Its name is Hannah.

Isn't that little Hannah?

Kiss it.

No. Go on, kiss it.

She's a little beauty.

Why, Mr. Slicker, I didn't realize you fancied babies.

I kind of keep it to myself.

But I do.

Tell your husband we're counting on him. If he votes for me.

He gets a free haircut.

Uh, tell him.

Why do I gotta kiss babies?

Because it's part of campaigning.

Morning, Robert E.

Say hello.

Why, he can't vote. Yes, he can.

He owns property.

Anyways, they passed that new law down in Washington.

It says a colored man can vote.

Dr.

Mike, I'm sorry you can't put that up there. Why not?

The stage line and telegraph office are holdings of a private company.

My boss in Denver says there's no campaigning here.

If it was up to me, I'd let you know.

That's all right, hon.

What do you want?

Morning, Robert E.

Been planning on voting?

You bet.

First time I ever had a chance.

Good for you.

Anything else? I got work to do.

So tell her.

You gonna stand with the women or with the men?

You asking who I'm voting for?

That's private.

Of course it is.

I know we had our differences.

Differences?

Yeah, you got a lot of nerve, Jake Slicker. You were going to let them hang

so I wouldn't live next door.

You're living there, ain't you?

Besides,

it's business.

If you let me take care of your business, I'll bring more people to

That means money in your cash box.

With Jake, there'll be prosperity for everyone.

Well, hear us out, will you?

We've been having trouble finding a place to hang up our signs. Could we put

up here?

Why, sure.

How about over there on that wagon?

Thank you.

So what do you say?

How about letting us put this up right here?

No, sir.

I ain't putting up the sign.

I ain't putting up here as needed.

Well, at least that's something.

For my own reason.

Come on, Mom.

Robert E., how come you're not helping Dr.

Mike? She's always stood up for us.

Well, I know that, but this is politics.

So? A man's supposed to be the head of a house. A man's supposed to be the

leader of a town.

You can't be thinking of voting for Jake's liquor.

You know how I feel about him.

But a lady mayor?

It don't fit right.

Didn't we just fight a war so all people could be free and equal?

Well, that don't mean they gotta do the same thing.

Now, a woman's got her own job.

Now, it's only natural.

You don't think that we should vote then, neither?

I ain't smart enough.

I didn't say that.

Then what?

I just think that some things ought to be left to men.

Ms.

Myra.

Hi there.

I believe we have some business to complete.

Would you like a drink?

No, thank you.

I had all the drinks I wanted the other night.

Don't keep the gentleman waiting.

I'm feeling kind of poorly.

Paid already.

You owe him.

Morning, Dr. Mike.

Quitting early?

Actually, I'm late to meet Dorothy.

Not more campaigning.

We're going to visit people in the outskirts of town. I don't think Jake's

bothering with them. We may get some more votes.

What is it?

We were supposed to go to the reservation.

The initiation ceremony for Snowbird.

Oh, I forgot. I'm sorry.

Please, semi -regret the Snowbird. The ceremony only happens once.

I know, but...

But we have to reach as many people as we can. The election's in only a few

days.

Don't you understand?

No. No, I don't understand.

Aren't you busy enough already being the town's only doctor and raising your

kids?

What about us?

What about us?

I would like to get back to Courtney.

Would you?

Yes, I would.

Once this is over, I'll have more time.

Supposing you do get to be mayor.

You're going to be running around more than ever.

I'm sure I can manage.

And your life won't be your own. It'll belong to the town.

You're going to have to watch everything you say and do. And so will all the

folks around you, like the kids and me.

Nothing's going to be private anymore.

You're making far too much of this.

No, I'm telling you how it's going to be.

You just don't want to hear it.

Good morning, Mr.

Hawthorne.

Oh, the lovely pigs you have there.

I'm Dr.

Quinn, and I'm running for mayor.

We'd love to talk with you.

I know. You've got to help her.

Myra?

Hold on, honey.

What would Dr.

Mike do?

It's going to be all right.

What's going on here?

Something's wrong.

Paul Clemson.

You did the right thing.

He's going to be all right.

I'm so up now.

What do you think?

It wasn't an artery.

I know.

You lost her for sure.

And I was out getting the people to put the town in my care.

What possessed me? I can't be mayor. I can't even run for mayor and be the

doctor that town needs.

And if I don't run, what happened to Meyer will surely happen again.

I can't do everything.

Nobody can.

As soon as you feel up to it, we'll help you get around until your leg heals.

How long will that be? A few weeks.

I'm so sorry about this, Myra.

Dorothy, may I speak with you?

I can't go on with this campaign.

You don't mean that.

You're just upset about Myra. I can't be mayor without sacrificing my practice.

Not to mention my family.

But after the election's over, everything will quiet down.

Ma!

We've got some exciting news. Good, but there's something I have to tell you all

three. Alice says her pa's going to vote for you. He wants Alice to go to school

as long as she can. He wants her to vote, too. Says it's about time.

And I got your vote.

You did?

I was mending fences over at the Widow Brown.

She owns that ranch.

She didn't even know we were having an election, but when I told her you was

running, she says she'll drive out here special just to vote for you.

I knew you had a chance. That's what I've been praying for.

But, Myra, when you got hurt, I wasn't here.

Because of the campaign.

That was a strange deal. That don't happen every day.

You gotta be Mayor.

All our hopes are riding on you.

She's right.

You've changed your mind?

Ingrid did.

Besides, you can do this town a lot of good.

What are we gonna tell us, Mom?

Just that I appreciate your support and it means more to me than the town's

vote.

We've got work to do.

Have

you

decided who you're voting for?

Nothing to decide. Only one man running.

Won't you listen to Dr. Quinn?

She's serving tea over at the clinic. Tea?

Wouldn't you rather have a drink with us, Marvin?

Excuse me, Mr. Slicker, but I hear you don't read.

Oh, you don't need to.

You know how to get things done.

I run a business. I got experience.

And he's got morals, too. Here, have you seen this?

Dr. Quinn living in sin?

Though she pretends to be a virtuous Boston lady, Dr.

Quinn spends the night with a male companion without being properly wedded.

That's not true, Jake.

Dr. Mike and Sully are... They're just friends.

Lots of people have seen Sully leaving the homestead first thing in the

So, Dorothy stays under the same roof as you, and no one talks.

They stay in the woods together, too.

A lot of time.

She's probably got a bastard baby, too.

Did you hear that? What? Dr. Quinn's got an illegitimate child.

Dr. Mike!

Grace, are the pies ready for my tea?

Yes, coming right up.

Trevor, is something troubling you? No, no, I'm... no.

What's that?

Living in sin? What does that mean?

Looker, is this your work? Yep. Bring it down. Pueblo made them up. This is a

lie. I've never done anything improper.

Well, it sure looks that way, doesn't it?

You should be ashamed of yourself.

This is an unscrupulous attack.

My personal life is not your concern.

Oh, that's where you're wrong.

A mayor, you see, is supposed to set a good example.

Supposed to be of good character.

What about Jake's drinking?

Colleen, we won't stoop to that.

If you're only doing this because you have no platform, no ideas, you can't

refute me on the issues.

Sure we can.

Then I challenge you. What, you want a duel?

To a debate in front of everyone, if you're capable.

Oh, we're capable.

Set a time and place.

10 a .m. tomorrow at the church.

I'll be ready.

You children go on to the clinic.

We drew straws, and Jake Slicker's going to speak first.

Why don't you start by saying what you'd do if you're elected mayor?

Well, the first thing I'm going to do is fix it for the railroad comes to this

town.

Excuse me, Mr. Slicker, but how are you going to arrange for a connecting line

from Denver?

I hope you're not suggesting illegal bribery.

No, just persuasion.

With words?

With what talks louder than words. Money.

As soon as the railroad gets here, there'll be money for all.

We got to make sure that folks stay in town and spend it.

We ought to build us a sportsman's hall like they put up in Kansas.

They got cockfights, rat killings, brings in big crowds. But what sort of

crowds?

Gamblers and criminals?

Because that's exactly what our town does not need. In fact, I propose that

hire a sheriff.

to make our streets safe, and a school teacher. How are you going to pay for

them? Taxes?

I say we leave things just the way they are. Most of it, they've been passed the

fourth grade, and we're doing just fine.

But I believe that we can do better for our children.

We can give them clean water, safe streets, and a fine education, so they

the tools to get ahead, to make a mark.

Isn't that what every parent wants?

Some of us still want to have fun.

You want to ban prostitution, next you're going to shut down the saloon. I

said that. I think a man ought to be free to get a drink in this town.

What do you think?

Well, I think that this is something that the whole town should decide.

You've got an opinion, don't you?

Well...

Drinking does cause health problems, like cirrhosis of the liver, gastritis,

even death.

And it does lead to violence.

Drunken men beat their wives and children.

So you would ban drinking in this town?

As I said, I don't think that's for the mayor to decide.

But if it were up to you?

Personally?

Yes, I prohibit it.

I'm

afraid

I got bad news.

My latest poll shows that.

Jake gets 22 votes.

Dr. Mike gets three.

Folks are scared of you now.

It's the drinking thing.

I tried to avoid it.

But when they pressed me, I... I had to say what I believe.

It's what makes you who you are.

I saw a lot of women agreeing with you.

But they can't vote.

Maybe it's time we ought to talk to our opponent.

Talk about what?

Oh, we might propose some kind of agreement where we would do something

them. Why would we do anything for them?

Because in return, they might do something for us. I'm not backing down

of our proposals.

Just talk.

Lady.

Dr. Mike.

I enjoyed that debate.

Oh, you comported yourself very well.

Talked real good, too, didn't I?

Yes, that as well. We were thinking maybe we could reach some kind of

understanding.

They're looking to make a deal with us.

Sorry. We ain't interested.

But, Jake... Why should we deal?

We're winning.

Thought you might like some cheering up.

Sorry that I'm not feeling very cheerful.

Paula thinks it's a dirty business.

You're right, Sonny.

No. I was wrong.

How's that?

Well, you didn't give in.

Even though it hurt your chances, you stuck with what you believed.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you.

But as you pointed out, I don't have any chance of winning.

Unless women could vote, and that won't happen anytime soon.

Maybe sooner than you think.

What do you mean?

I want you to get your people together tomorrow.

What for?

Just do what I tell you for once.

I got a plan.

I want to thank you all for coming out. It's a beautiful day, and we are going

to have a beautiful election here.

You said you never vote.

Today.

Thank you.

Robert E., sign the register.

Then you'll put an X.

beside the man or the woman of your choice.

Sully?

In just under two hours, the polls will close and we'll be celebrating your

landslide victory.

What in tarnation.

What do they think they're doing?

There you go.

But I'm sorry, the rest of you...

I'm afraid you need to own property to vote.

We do.

See for yourself.

Mr. Byron Sully deeded a small piece of his homestead to each of us.

You can't do that.

Yes, I can.

It appears to be valid.

Horace? Yep. I registered him yesterday.

They're good. I protest.

I'm afraid I have no choice, Lauren.

They all qualify.

There you go. Sign right there.

And sign right there.

Sign your name.

There you go.

Well, not you two.

Right, Hank. I want something.

You wanted to see us?

Welcome, ladies. Yes, please, sit down.

Come on.

Now, the other day, perhaps we were a bit short with you. I mean, after all,

you want to make a deal, we should let you lay your cards on the table.

Why should we make a deal? We're winning. Face it, Dr. Mike.

Even counting all the women, you're outnumbered. Then why are we talking?

As I see it, it's going to be close, but Jake will win.

And when I do, I'm willing to agree to let the women in this town vote.

But in the unlikely event that Dr. Quinn should win... You've got to promise not

to close the saloon or stop the entertaining.

Well, even though I'm personally against it, I told you that I would never ban

drinking. But I simply can't allow prostitution to continue in this town.

Then no deal.

Excuse us for just one moment, please.

Do you realize what a chance this is to get the vote?

But I made a promise.

Would you rather keep one promise or none of them? Because that's what's

to happen if you walk out that door. But we may win. We've come so far.

Michaela, if we take this deal, we get the vote, win or lose.

And once we get the vote, we can work on banning prostitution.

We'll be there to fight another day instead of begging just to have a say.

I'm afraid Dorothy's right.

Mari, you have no idea how this pains me.

I understand.

Do you?

I don't.

You're doing what's best for Mutia, and that's right.

Just ain't best for me.

I agree.

We got a deal.

This calls for a round of drinks.

Ladies.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Take these.

I quit. Model 2.

I said I quit.

You can't quit, Myra.

Let me see my contract.

Still good.

I don't care.

You can call the law. You can throw me in jail. Go ahead.

I would rather be in jail the rest of my life than keep on working for you.

Wait.

Mara, I feel I let you down.

Like I said, I understand.

But you didn't let yourself down, and that's what's important.

I'm proud of you.

And if there's anything I can do, if Hank tries to call the law, we'll fight

If you need a room, you're welcome to stay at the clinic.

I'm behind you both.

I know you are.

You always have been.

Here they come. Here they come.

We've counted all the votes.

And the final tally is Jake Slicker, 131.

And Dr. Michaela Quinn, 98.

Congratulations.

Thanks for making me your mayor.

It was a tough fight.

And now it's time for us all to work together to bring prosperity to this

And, uh, first thing I want to do is fix it so that all folks can have the vote

whether they own property or not.

Including women?

Yeah, including women.

You think women can run?

Yes, we've won that now.

And we never would have if your mom hadn't run.

Congratulations.

You would have made a heck of a mayor.

Yes, I will.