Top Five Favorite Episodes from Little House on the Prairie - Season 9

We have arrived at the final season of Little House on the Prairie. Today, I will share my favorite episodes from the last full season of the show. For the ninth season, the show was renamed Little House: A New Beginning. 

As this season opens, we discover Charles has moved his family to Burr Oak, Iowa, having sold the house on Plum Creek to the Carter family. Laura and Almanzo stay in Walnut Grove, and Charles spends one last day with them before rejoining his family. 

For longtime fans of the show, this was an unwelcome surprise. However, it did give the characters of Laura and Almanzo a chance to develop in a way they might not have if Charles and Caroline had remained in town. With the introduction of John and Sarah Carter, the Wilders had peers who were raising children alongside them. And this last season of Little House seemed to be even more about the community as a whole than any one character. 

Enjoy reading about my five favorite episodes from Season 9 of  Little House: A New Beginning. 

"Welcome to Olesonville"

When Mrs. Oleson discovers bearer's bonds while cleaning out Lars Hanson's home, which she has recently purchased, she offers not to cash them in and bankrupt the town if they give her family some curtises. It is also decided that the town needs a mayor, and Harriet offers Nels up for the job, which sparks controversy in town. With the help of Lem McCary, Almanzo runs against Nels, but he soon discovers he's not the right person for the job. 

Why I like it: Though we didn't see Lem McCary or Jess Moffet again, they were great characters. It was awesome seeing Harriet get bested. I just have one question: how did she buy Hanson's house when it was the blind school that burned down in Season 6? 

"Rage"

When his shady ways get Thomas Stark into tremendous debt, he goes out of his mind, shoots his wife and daughter, and then winds up at the Wilders' house while Laura is home with Rose and Jenny. In his delirious state, he mistakes Laura and Jenny for his wife and daughter, which puts them in grave danger. 

Why I like it: This was such a suspenseful episode. Poor Laura has now been kidnapped three times since she moved to Walnut Grove, which is a bit crazy, but all of the acting here was superb. The last line Stark speaks before heading out the door is super dramatic. 

"The Return of Nellie"

Nellie returns to Walnut Grove for a visit. The Olesons decide to throw her a birthday party at the restaurant, which leaves Nancy feeling left out and unloved. When she runs away, Nellie joins her father, Nels, to search for her. 

Why I like it: While I wish Steve Tracy could have returned as Percival, it was wonderful seeing Allison Arngrim back in town as Nellie and to see that her relationship with Laura has shifted. We also get to see Willie maturing even more in this episode. The funny scene of Nancy in bed between Harriet and Nels always makes me laugh. 

"A Child with No Name"

The Wilders welcome a son to their family, but his sudden death finds a grieving Laura blaming Doc Baker. Soon, the entire town turns against him. When Rose comes down with smallpox, Doc Baker works night and day caring for her despite Laura's misgivings. 

Why I like it: In some ways, this mimicked real life, because the Wilders did have a son who died so soon they hadn't even named him. As a parent, this is such a hard episode to watch, but Melissa Gilbert, Dean Butler, and Kevin Hagen give such outstanding performances in this episode. After the danger is over, and they know Rose will recover, Doctor Baker trudges out the door and breaks down in tears. It is one of the most intense moments of the series, and one can't help but wonder if he is crying out of relief, grieving that he must leave the town he has called home for years, or because of sheer physical exhaustion. 

"May I Have This Dance?"

Willie graduates from the Walnut Grove School, and Harriet is excited for him to take his college entrance exam. But when he fails the exam on purpose so that he can run the restaurant and marry Rachel Brown, Harriet is determined to make sure that doesn't happen.

Why I like it: Willie standing up to his mother is amazing. Nels expressing how proud he is of Willie and explaining to him that it's his life to do with as he chooses empowers Willie to embrace his future. How nervous Willie is to ask Rachel's father for her hand, and how excited he is when he says yes, is so sweet. We also get more of Nels and Harriet's backstory at the end of this episode. 

Top Five Favorite Episodes from Little House on the Prairie - Season 8

Welcome to Season 8 favorites! I am sharing my top five favorite episodes from the eighth season of Little House on the Prairie today. 

"Dark Sage"

When a stretched-too-thin Doctor Baker hires Dr. Caleb Ledoux to join his practice, he and the residents of Walnut Grove are surprised upon his arrival that the Ledoux family is Black. 

Why I like it: Little House on the Prairie didn't shy away from tough topics of its day. Here, the residents of Walnut Grove, and specifically Doctor Baker, are forced to admit to their prejudices and learn from the dangers of them. [Though Dr. Ledoux is mentioned once again during the series' run, the Ledoux family is never seen again.]

"Chicago"

Upon learning that Isaiah's son John Jr. has been killed, Charles joins him in Chicago. What at first seemed like a tragic accident, along with the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Callahan, they discover Isaiah's son had been working on a corruption story that led to his murder. 

Why I like it: While it takes place outside of Walnut Grove and features mainly new characters, this is a well-plotted murder mystery story. It's great to see Charles and Isaiah together again, and I loved the characters of Callaghan and B.J. 

"A Christmas They Never Forgot"

While celebrating Christmas with the Ingalls family, the Wilders, the Kendalls, and Hester Sue become snowbound by a blizzard. To pass the time, they share memories of Christmases past. 

Why I like it: Keeping in mind that one must suspend belief that everyone would be thrilled over having snowfall that reached up to the top window of the little house, or how possible that would even be, Landon outdid himself with this episode. The music, the return of Mary and Adam, the vignettes from Laura, Caroline, Almanzo, and Hester Sue, and more make this one of the most memorable Christmas episodes of the series. This one and "A Christmas on Plum Creek" from Season 1 are my favorites. 

"Stone Soup"

With Charles and Almanzo away, a pregnant Laura tries to keep the Wilders' new apple orchard growing despite a heat wave.

Why I like it: A grown-up Willie teaching class and rushing off to get Doc Baker when Laura collapses strikes a chord with me. This might be the first episode where they focus on Willie as a young man instead of as a boy. It's nice to see Caroline back in the classroom teaching. 

"Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow"

Almanzo's recovery from diphtheria is hampered by a stroke that paralyses him. The arrival of Eliza Jane delays Almanzo's progress, which causes a rift between Beth and Manly and Laura and her sister-in-law. After the birth of Rose, Eliza Jane's plans deepen the divide, but when it seems darkest, Almanzo faces some hard truths that lead to a remarkable change. 

Why I like it: This is classic Little House on the Prairie drama. With this two-part episode, Landon threw so much of what happened to the Wilders in real life at Beth and Manly and condensed it into a shortened period of time, which pushed these characters to their limits. Adding Eliza Jane to the mix added more tension. One of my favorite scenes is the exchange between Beth and Manly as he walks to her from the frame of their new house. 

Happy New Year

 As I enter my 18th year of blogging at Laura's Little Houses, I thank all of my loyal readers and blogging friends who have made this such a joyful endeavor. Wishing you a new year filled with good health, happiness, and prosperity. 

Top Five Favorite Episodes from Little House on the Prairie - Season 7

Time to share my five favorite episodes from Season 7 of Little House on the Prairie.

"Laura Ingalls Wilder"

Almanzo is excited when he buys a piece of land to build a home for when he marries Laura, mortgaging it under strict terms. When Mr. Gray dams up the water supply, Manly loses his land and his crop. With no plan and no money, he decides to postpone the wedding, which causes friction between Laura and him, especially when she decides to take a job in Radner to help them get back on their feet. Meanwhile, Eliza Jane develops feelings for Harve Miller, who came to Walnut Grove to help with the farm. 

Why I like it: This is Almanzo's time to step out from under his sister's wings and into a life with Laura. I admire Laura for staying true to herself and deciding to take the job in Radner despite its consequences. Harve Miller is a character who brought out a different side to Eliza Jane. 

"Olseon versus Oleson"

The women of Walnut Grove gather together to stage a protest when their husbands won't sign the petition giving them the right to vote. 

Why I like it: This is an episode that boils down to everyone doing the right thing. Charles even admits that while he considers Caroline an equal partner, not every couple might have that arrangement, which is why he eventually agrees to sign. We also have one of the sweetest moments in Beth and Manly's early marriage days in this episode. When Laura says she feels she must join the other women at the hotel to support her mother, Almanzo asks her if she needs to leave that night, and she agrees to stay until the morning. This is one of the few episodes in Season 7 where we are reminded that they are a young couple in love. 

"Come, Let Us Reason Together"

Percival's parents visit Walnut Grove as they anticipate the birth of their first grandchild. Harriet Oleson and Benjamin Cohen argue over whether the baby will be raised Jewish or Christian, which upsets the happy couple and leads to a unique way to settle things.

Why I like it: We get some of Percival's backstory in this episode, like how he changed his name from Issac Cohen so that he could find work. We see a battle unfold that is familiar in lots of families: Mr. Cohen is afraid Percival is turning his back on this faith and that his grandchild will not be raised a Cohen. Mrs. Oleson wants her grandchild raised as a Christian. It is Nels who comes up with a compromise that everyone can live with. [Side note: The title of this episode is taken from the book of Isaiah.]

"Goodbye, Mrs. Wilder"

When Mrs. Oleson interferes with the school's curriculum, Laura abruptly resigns. She quickly ends up regretting her decision, but possibly not more than the children of Walnut Grove, who are made to wear uniforms and learn French on top of all their other subjects. 

Why I like it: I totally understand Laura in this episode. She makes a decision in haste that she gets to repent in leisure. She willingly admits to Manly that while she wishes taking care of him and the house were enough for her, they simply aren't, and without her teaching, she feels useless. Almanzo supports her, despite his stubbornness being part of the reason their engagement was called off earlier in their relationship. In the end, Laura is proven right, Nels reminds Harriet so, and Laura returns to teaching. 

"I Do, Again"

Almanzo is thrilled to learn that Laura is pregnant. Adding to the family's joy is Caroline's announcement that she is also pregnant. But when she visits Doc Baker, she learns she is likely going through menopause. Not being able to have more children makes Caroline afraid Charles will no longer see her as a whole woman. She pretends to have lost the baby, and when Charles discovers the truth, he decides to take her away on a trip to help them reconnect as a couple. 

Why I like it: Laura is excited at the thought of having a child, despite not wanting to rush into having children. As someone who has been in Caroline's shoes, it is easy to understand her feelings around the transition. Charles and Laura have a tender moment where he tells Half-pint that he knows Caroline lied to him about losing the baby, and he devises a plan to help her, which reveals his deep love and respect for his wife.

Which Areas of the World Read Laura's Little Houses

 

Occasionally, I check to see where this blog's traffic is coming from. Most recent stats show that the most readers of Laura's Little Houses originate from the United States! That's a real change. Usually, it is outside of this country. Other readers who visit this blog hail from Singapore, the United Kingdom, China, and Brazil. These are the five highest ranking based upon the number of readers in order of highest to lowest. 

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read Laura's Little Houses!