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!

Top Five Favorite Episodes from Little House on the Prairie - Season 6

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.

"Back to School"

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!

"Annabelle"

The circus comes to Walnut Grove, and one of the performers is a person from Nels' past. Laura struggles to ask Almanzo to the circus, and when she finds out he is taking snippy Christie Norton, she devises a plan that reveals she is still a kid at heart.

Why I like it: Exploring a character's backstory is often an interesting concept. Here, the viewer discovers that Nels has a relative he's kept a secret for less-than-noble reasons. There is this random girl who lives in town, who just happens to be courting Almanzo, but Laura puts her in her place. The circus scenes are fun.

"Preacher Takes a Wife"

Reverend Alden and the widowed Anna Craig begin courting. Their relationship is threatened by Mrs. Oleson's interference and an unexpected visit from the reverend's superior. 

Why I like it: This one comes down to two things: romance and backstory. It seems some of the men in Walnut Grove were destined to be alone: Lars Hanson, Isaiah Edwards, and Doc Baker. But in this episode, Reverend Alden has his chance at love. When Mrs. Oleson writes to his superiors, Harriet is surprised to see that a man from her past is the one sent by the church to investigate her outlandish claims. This was such a great backstory for her. 

"Wilder and Wilder"

The youngest member of the Wilder family, Perley Day, shows up in town. Unbeknownst to all, he is a liar and a thief, but Charles thinks the adventurous young man might be just the thing to get Laura's mind off the older Almanzo. After Perley Day nearly cripples Almanzo's horse, he is sent packing, and the Ingalls family helps tend to Barnum until his leg is better. 

Why I like it: So many great things happen in this episode. Perley Day sees that Laura is older than Almanzo realizes, and by the end of the episode, Manly's opinion of her begins to shift. Laura teaches the spirited Barnum how to accept the bit, much to Manly's amazement. Laura chooses a better man than her pa, which Caroline gently teases him about. How Almanzo forfeits the arm wrestling match to save his horse. The embrace between Almanzo and Laura once they knew Barnum would be okay. 

"Sweet Sixteen"

Laura earns her teaching certificate before her sixteenth birthday, so that she can teach in Curry while the regular teacher recovers. Almanzo helps Charles out by bringing her to Curry and picking her up a week later, which is enough time apart for Almanzo to realize she is no longer a little girl. Once home, Laura confides in Ma that she thinks what she has been dreaming of is finally happening between Almanzo and her, but his jealousy threatens their budding romance. 

Why I like it: Another episode with tons of wonderful moments. Laura finally becomes a teacher. Almanzo's odd reaction when he picks her up in Curry a week after dropping her off, which she credits to the high-heeled boots she bought. Eliza Jane and Almanzo's heart-to-heart talk. Laura tells Manly she has to "think" about going to the social with him. Charles and Almanzo's heart-to-heart, where he admits his feelings for Laura have changed. The touching, yet awkward, first kiss. 

Repost: A Christmas Eve Prairie Visit by Cheryl Malandrinos

Photo scene from A Christmas They Never Forgot

This is a poem I wrote more than a decade ago. I decided to share it again. Enjoy!

A Christmas Eve Prairie Visit by Cheryl Malandrinos

'Twas the night before Christmas,

and out on the prairie,

Not a creature was stirring,

not even young Carrie;

The stockings were hung on the mantle with care,

In hopes that Santa Claus would leave his fair share;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of heart-shaped cookies sprinkled with sugar danced in their heads;

And Pa in his nightshirt and Ma in her gown,

Had finished their popcorn and turned the bed down.

When out by the barn there arose such a clatter,

Pa sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen he flew like a flash,

Looked out the window and then heard a crash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Caused Pa to blink twice at the broken fence down below,

When into his wondering eyes came the view,

Of a miniature sleigh,

and a tiny herd of pack mules,

With a little old driver,

so lively and quick,

Pa knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

Slower than molasses his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

Move Clementine! Step it up Abner!

Get along Myron and Rupert!

Pick it up Gracie! Pick it up Millie!

Faster now Willie and Albert!

Past the rain barrel!

And past the lean-to!

Now make it around to the side of the house all of you!

As slow as a cow chewing its cud,

When asked to come home and they plop with a thud,

So around the house his coursers they sauntered,

With the sleigh full of toys,

and an old man who wandered.

And soon Pa heard on the side of the house,

The scratching and clawing of old man Claus.

As Pa hid behind the tree and was turning around,

Down the chimney Santa came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his toe,

And his clothes were in desperate need of a sew.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like Mr. Edwards just opening his pack.

His eyes were like Mary's!

His dimples like Carrie's!

His cheeks were like Grace's,

his nose like a cherry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a pout.

The beard on his chin covered most of his face, just about;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And Pa thought the tobacco smelled mightly sweet;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed,

Like Ma's bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump,

A right jolly old elf,

And Pa laughed when he saw him,

In spite of himself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon let Pa know

he had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word,

But went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings;

then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh,

to his pack gave a wail,

And away they all meandered like a broken-winged quail.

But Pa heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

Who is Attending the Little House on the Prairie Christmas Reunion This Weekend?

Of all the Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunions I would have loved to have attended, the Christmas Reunion taking place this coming weekend at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley, California, tops my list. Not only am I a huge lover of the show, but I am also an even bigger fanatic when it comes to Christmas. 

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!