Are you planning to tune in on July 9 to see the show?
In the Season 5 episode, "As Long As We're Together," hard times have fallen upon the residents of Walnut Grove. Charles and Caroline decide to leave their Minnesota town and move to the city of Winoka in Dakota Territory. Upon their arrival, a young boy in a cap saunters by Laura in the wagon. When he loses his dime in a hole in the boardwalk, Laura helps him retrieve it with a wad of gum and a shoelace. A friendship is born!
Charles quickly takes a liking to Albert, and upon learning his situation, he makes a deal with him: he will pay him for work if he agrees to attend school with Laura and Carrie. From then on, Albert is an extended part of the family. When Charles and Caroline decide to give Walnut Grove a second chance, Charles is sad to be leaving Albert behind ("There's No Place Like Home"), but with a gentle nudge from Caroline, he asks Albert to join them.
Getting the homestead and the town back in order requires a lot of hard work, and Albert digs right in alongside everyone. He also grows closer to Charles. So close that when Charles spends time helping him raise a calf for the fair, Laura feels like she is losing Pa to the son he always wanted ("Fagin"). Accidentally overhearing that he has caused an issue, Albert runs away. That won't be the only time, but things are soon settled, and the family is back together with Laura and her brother Albert.
Laura, Albert, and their friend Andy Garvey enjoy fun times and antics, often at the expense of the Olesons, like when Laura and Albert alter the type in The Pen and Plow ("Harriet's Happenings") or when they create a fake sea monster to scare Mrs. Oleson and her children ("The Lake Kezia Monster"). They also band together to right wrongs, like when they crafted a plan to scare an older, bigger classmate so that Miss Wilder could stay the teacher in town ("The Werewolf of Walnut Grove"). Albert is also someone Laura can talk to. When she is trying to get a boy to ask her to a dance ("Dance with Me") or when she is struggling to get Almanzo to notice her ("Annabelle"), Albert is a sympathetic ear.
A pivotal moment in Albert's life happens when Miss Wilder assigns a genealogy project ("Family Tree"). Teased by Nellie for not truly being an Ingalls, Albert asks Charles if they can adopt him. When the process uncovers his biological father, Jeremy Quinn wants Albert to help him run his farm. Using his quick wits, Albert devises a last-minute plan that allows him to become a forever Ingalls.
While there are many happy moments for Albert in Walnut Grove, a town tragedy threatens the joy he holds dear. In "May We Make Them Proud," a fire destroys the town's blind school, killing Alice Garvey along with Mary and Adam's newborn son. Albert is devastated to learn that the fire started in the basement, caused by the discarded pipe he and his friend Clay had hidden earlier in the day. Riddled with guilt, Albert runs away. After Charles and Jonathan Garvey conduct a frantic search, they find Albert, tell him they know what started the fire, and head back to Walnut Grove to let the healing begin.
Every adolescent experiences challenges, and Albert is no different. He struggles with being a boy while wanting to prove he's a man ("Men Will Be Boys"); he is beaten for befriending a Jewish craftsman ("The Craftsman"); he falls in love and experiences heartache ("Dearest Albert, I'll Miss You" and "Sylvia"); he feels frustrated when his newly adopted younger brother, James, constantly pesters him and tries to be like him ("Growin' Pains"), and he is critically injured when a drunken Mr. Edwards drives a wagon over him ("A Promise to Keep"). One of the most difficult obstacles he faces, however, is his morphine addiction.
At the beginning of Season 9, Charles moves his family to Burr Oak, Iowa. Albert falls in with a bad crowd, and with the threat of him being sent to a workhouse looming, Charles brings his son back to Walnut Grove ("Home Again"). But Albert is having none of it. A problem with one of Doc Baker's medicine shipments reveals that Albert has a morphine addiction. With the help of Charles, Albert endures withdrawal symptoms and returns to Burr Oak more like his old self.*
Albert's story is one of an independent orphan surviving by his street smarts, who stumbles upon a family that quickly considers him one of their own. While it might be said that Charles and Albert's relationship has the most profound impact on him, Albert and Laura's chance meeting allows all that unfolds afterwards. Through the years, they go from being friends to siblings, from plot hatchers to student and teacher, and most importantly, from occasionally bickering siblings to strong supporters of each other. Therefore, it seems fitting that the last moment we see Albert is him holding hands with his beloved sister, surrounded by the Walnut Grove schoolchildren who peppered their youth.
* "Home Again" and "Look Back to Yesterday" are responsible for one of the most often discussed Little House on the Prairie controversies. At the end of the Season 9 episode "Home Again," Laura's final narration states that in the future, they welcomed Albert back to Walnut Grove as Dr. Albert Ingalls. However, in "Look Back to Yesterday," which aired after the completion of Season 9, Charles is told that Albert is going to die. Some fans believe that Albert miraculously survived and returned to Walnut Grove as a doctor, while others believe that he passed away after the events in "Look Back to Yesterday." What do you think?
More character profiles:
Charles Phillip Ingalls
As creatives, expressing ourselves through various forms of writing and art comes naturally to us. It is why we do what we do. At Laura's Little Houses, I enjoy sharing my thoughts with you about Laura Ingalls Wilder, her famous children's books, books that tie into Laura's life, and the shows based on or inspired by her own creativity.
One of the best parts of blogging for the last 19 years has been interacting with all of you. Lately, I've been more focused on the Little House on the Prairie television show of my childhood. What I would really love to hear from you is what you might be looking to see at Laura's Little Houses. Do you want:
Exciting news! The latest chapter in my Season 9 "Times Are Changing" rewrite is complete and uploaded to fanfiction.net. You can find the sixth chapter by clicking this link.
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 courtesies. 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"
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"
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.
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"
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"
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"
We are already on Season 6 in my list of favorite episodes from Little House on the Prairie. Seasons 6 - 8 had some wonderful episodes. Here are my favorites from Season 6.
Walnut Grove welcomes new teacher, Eliza Jane Wilder, along with her younger brother, Almanzo. From the moment he pulls up in front of the restaurant, Laura Ingalls is smitten. However, Mrs. Oleson sees Almanzo as the perfect suitor for her daughter, Nellie. Jealous, Laura plays a prank on her archenemy, which backfires, and when Nellie exacts her revenge, Almanzo pays the price.
Why I like it:
The introduction of Dean Butler's Almanzo marks a definite shift in Laura's character. Viewers witness as she hovers in the uncomfortable place between childhood and adulthood. Change comes for Nellie Oleson as well, with her parents gifting her a hotel and restaurant, which she is totally uninterested in running. This will lead to the introduction of one of my favorite characters later in the season. We see Caroline stepping in to provide for the family when Charles is injured and unable to work. Oh, and that mud fight is epic!
When I visited the Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunions website today, it was so exciting to see how many cast members would be there. I've met some of them. I hope to meet more of them. It also sounds like an amazing venue.
Is anyone who reads this blog attending? Tell us more!
I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie. Some of my favorite episodes were the Christmas ones, and there weren't many of them. "The Pilot" movie had Christmas scenes, and there were four other episodes set during Christmas: "Christmas at Plum Creek" (Season 1), "Blizzard" (Season 3), "A Christmas They Never Forgot" (Season 8), and "Bless All the Dear Children" (TV Movie).
In "The Pilot," the Ingalls family has moved to Kansas and befriended a bachelor named Mr. Edwards. Caroline isn't a fan because he likes to frequent saloons and teaches Laura how to spit. However, at Christmastime, Mr. Edwards goes all the way to Independence and crosses an overflowing body of water to deliver presents for the three Ingalls girls and to bring a special treat for Christmas dinner, which softens Ma's attitude toward the rough and tumble bachelor.
Moving swiftly along to Season 5, here are my five favorite episodes from the season where the Ingalls family left Walnut Grove to live in Winoka.
"As Long As We're Together"
The Ingalls family decides to move to Winoka, in Dakota Territory, where Mary will join Adam Kendall to run a blind school. It is a hard adjustment for them. Charles and Caroline work at the hotel, Laura is stuck babysitting her younger sisters, and the noise of the city makes it hard to sleep at night. Thankfully, their friends, the Garveys and the Olesons, arrive soon afterwards. One other bright spot is an orphan named Albert, who befriends the family. With Mary about to turn 16, Charles asks for an advance on his pay to buy her a gift, which doesn't turn out as planned.
Why I like it: Honestly, the Winoka episodes are some of my least favorite of the series, but here we see Walnut Grove friends arriving, which almost makes it tolerable. Mary and Adam are reunited, and we see Mary graduate to womanhood and become a teacher. The introduction of Albert brought a new twist to the series.
"There's No Place Like Home"
Tensions rise as the Ingalls family struggles to work for Mr. Standish in a noisy city far from home. When Toby Noe wins big, he decides to put on a fireworks show to bring the Ingalls a bit of joy, which is quickly threatened by Standish, paving the way for the Ingalls family, the Garveys, and the Olesons to head back to Walnut Grove. They find the town in despair, and an ill and broken-down Lars Hanson, who bemoans the old glory days of the town he helped found. Working together, the residents of Walnut Grove bring the town back to life, get the school ready, and celebrate their first church service in the revitalized Walnut Grove.
Why I like it: There is so much to love about this episode. How Caroline understands that Charles wants to go home and bring Albert with them. How Mary reassures her pa that she will be fine if they go back to Walnut Grove. The way the entire town pulls together to bring Walnut Grove back to life, and the last speech of Lars Hanson. As an aside, Mr. Hanson is a character in On the Banks of Plum Creek. He is a settler who sells land and the dugout house to Charles Ingalls before moving west.
