Favorite Little House on the Prairie Movie

After the series ended, three Little House on the Prairie movies aired between 1983 and 1984: "Look Back to Yesterday," "Bless All the Dear Children," and "The Last Farewell." The last two were aired out of order because "Bless All the Dear Children" is a Christmas episode. It aired the week before Christmas in 1984, whereas "The Last Farewell" aired in February 1984. Let's take a look at what these movies were about. Beware of spoilers if you haven't seen them. 

"Look Back to Yesterday" 

Charles plans a trip to Walnut Grove to help the local farmers organize an agricultural cooperative. With Albert planning to attend medical school, Charles decides he should join him to check out the University of Minnesota. Once in Walnut Grove, Albert's chronic nosebleeds worsen, and Charles brings him to Mankato, where they learn Albert has a fatal blood disorder. Albert begs Charles to bring him back to Walnut Grove to live out his final days. 

"Bless All the Dear Children"

While Mr. Montague rallies against the commercialization of Christmas, Jason Carter tries to earn money to buy gifts for his family. Meanwhile, Laura, Almanzo, and Mr. Edwards travel to Mankato with Rose to shop for Christmas. When Rose is kidnapped by a distraught woman who has lost a baby, the Wilders and Mr. Edwards frantically search for her. Along the way, they meet Samuel, a young orphan, hiding in their wagon. Back in Walnut Grove, Sarah and John Carter worry they won't have gifts for Jason and Jeb if the Wilders, who were also entrusted with their money, don't return in time. 

"The Last Farewell"

Charles and Caroline pay a visit to Laura and Almanzo, offering to stay at the little house on Plum Creek with Jeb and Jason Carter when their parents are away. When a ruthless land tycoon acquires the deed to all of Hero Township, the citizens of Walnut Grove are forced to either work their businesses for Mr. Lassiter or forfeit everything they have built through the years. This leads to a final confrontation between the townsfolk and Lassiter, with the Carters returning just in time to help. 

By far, my favorite of these three movies is "Look Back to Yesterday." Though it created one of the greatest conflicts in Landon's LHOP world (How could future Albert return to Walnut Grove as a doctor ("Home Again") if he dies and the town has been blown up?), it nicely, though tragically, wraps up Albert's storyline and reconnects him with his beloved sister Laura, the first member of the Ingalls family he met in Winoka, which eventually led to him becoming an Ingalls. 

While I wish we could have seen Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls in this episode, "Look Back to Yesterday" was an engaging storyline from start to finish. It seems odd she is not there, because Charles and Caroline were partners committed to each other and their children. Fans know Caroline would have wanted to be there.

Melissa Gilbert gives an amazing performance as Laura, a caring sister who struggles to accept her brother's fate. She and Dean Butler's Almanzo also share a sweet moment when Laura tells him about the blood brother badges. As a show that rarely focuses on the past, Laura's treasured memories give meaning to Albert's triumph and heart to the loving relationship that they created through the years. 

Which of these three is your favorite?

Little House on the Prairie Netflix Premiere Coming July 9

Do you know where you will be July 9? I will be sitting with my tea and laptop to stream the Netflix premiere of Little House on the Prairie. This new adaptation has already been renewed for a second season. Check out the Tundum article for more information regarding the cast, the plot, and more!

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 was a change that started the last time I posted this information. After the United States, the most readers come from Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, and Hong Kong. 

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

Most Favorite Episode from Each Season of Little House on the Prairie (Seasons 7 - 9)

Continuing to share my favorite episode of each season of Little House on the Prairie, this time covering Seasons 7, 8, and 9.

Season 7 - "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 it's my favorite from Season 7: Choosing a Season 7 favorite seemed like an impossible task. I could have chosen any of the five I mentioned in this post. What made the decision for me was that I love Nellie and Percival together. They are adorable, and the actors have fabulous chemistry. Percival's dedication to Nellie never wavers. When she fears his parents won't like her, he reassures her. When the arguing between his father and Nellie's mother becomes too much for his wife, he protects her. And Percival reminds all the parents of the importance of staying focused on what faith is truly about. 

Season 8 - "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, causing rifts between Beth and Manly and between 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 it's my favorite from Season 8: I often note this episode as my favorite in the series. Dean Butler's portrayal of a man in the depths of despair is outstanding. Not that Melissa Gilbert's acting is anything less than stellar, but the character of Almanzo is generally a happy, even-keeled guy until this happens. He admits to Laura that he can't believe how horribly wrong life has gone. He tells his sister to go away because he is praying to die. To watch Butler dig deep into the effects of depression on Almanzo is something unexpected for viewers. Then, to watch Almanzo turn it around when Laura is at her breaking point displays Manly's love for his wife, and this becomes the catalyst for his recovery. 

Season 9 - "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 it's my favorite from Season 9: Maybe I like to see the Wilders in crisis mode. One's heart can't help but break for Laura and Almanzo when they lose their son. This episode starts off lightheartedly, with the family trying to figure out what to name the baby and experiencing more first-time parent jitters than they did with Rose--which Laura justifies because of her family's history and the lack of boys born to the Ingalls family. After that, it becomes a story of survival--for Doc Baker's reputation and Rose Wilder's life. The conversation between Harriet and Nels when he is angry over her shunning his friend is intense. She is in total Mama Bear mode. It was great to see the residents of Walnut Grove congregate in the center of town to convince Doctor Baker to stay. 

That brings us to the end of the series. We will discuss the three post-series movies next. 

Most Favorite Episode from Each Season of Little House on the Prairie (Seasons 4 - 6)

Continuing to share my favorite episode of each season of Little House on the Prairie, this time covering Seasons 4, 5, and 6. 

Season 4 - "Here Come the Brides"

Adam Simms and his son, Luke, arrive in Walnut Grove. Nellie is quickly smitten with the barefooted pig farmer who has joined the one-room schoolhouse, much to her mother's dismay. Meanwhile, Adam and Miss Beadle's relationship blossoms into love. When Nellie and Luke run off to elope, Adam, Miss Beadle, and the Olesons race off to stop them before it's too late.

Why it's my favorite from Season 4: If you look at the rest of my favorites from this season, there is a ton of intense drama. The entire season is way more drama than comedy: Laura's dog dies; Mary finds out that John Jr. no longer loves her; Laura is kidnapped; Doc Baker quits when he loses a patient; the Garveys lose their entire crop; oh, and Mary loses her eyesight. Seriously, thanks to episodes like "Here Comes the Brides" and "The Creeper of Walnut Grove," viewers get a comedy break. 

Though watching Nellie fall in love for the first time is fun, it is the sometimes awkwardly developing relationship between Eva Beadle and Adam Simms that makes this a great episode. Miss Beadle has had a beau in the past ("Four Eyes" in Season 2), but mature single people in Walnut Grove don't seem to have much luck in the romance department. These two, however, fall in love, get married, and later in the season welcome a son ("A Most Precious Gift.") 

This episode is filled with memorable scenes, and I will share two. The first takes place at 42:05, as Luke is pacing the hotel room floor, waiting for Nellie to change behind the screen. He watches while she slings her dress over the top, growing more uncomfortable with each passing second. Then it is Luke's turn to change, and Nellie watches with wide eyes as his overalls appear over the top of the screen. You know they are already regretting their decision. 

Then, at 44:38, the now fully dressed Luke and Nellie are marched back to the Justice of the Peace. When he trudges to the front door and sees them standing there, he moans, "Oh no!" He opens the door and says, "Tell me, what's Walnut Grove got against me?" You can't help but laugh.

Season 5 - "The Wedding" 

Caroline and Charles receive word that Mary and Adam are going to be married. Because of the expense, Ma and Pa make the decision to leave all the children at home, and they journey by train to Winoka. As they sit down to dinner with Mary and Adam, Caroline shares stories of raising children. Suddenly frightened by the prospect of two blind people needing to care for a sighted child, Mary calls off the wedding. When Susan Goodspeed is lost during a sandstorm, Mary and Adam must search for her, giving Mary the confidence she needs to proceed with the wedding.

Why it's my favorite from Season 5: There are a ton of great Caroline moments in this episode: 

• When Charles brings her the telegram, she says, "Oh, my goodness. My baby's getting married." Then she is overcome with emotion, which doesn't often happen to Caroline.
• When Reverend Alden tells her he will go to Winoka to marry them, she is so excited that she kisses him on the cheek. 
• How she brings her wedding dress for Mary to wear, and the tender conversation they have.
• Her expression when Adam shows up at their hotel room after Mary has called off the wedding. 
• After the storm is over, as Caroline and Mary are in her room getting ready for the wedding, they have a laugh, and Caroline says that her old Mary is back. 
• Her expression, holding back tears, as Mary weds Adam, with Reverend Alden officiating. 

Another nice moment takes place in Walnut Grove at about 7:57. Nels calls Charles into the storeroom and asks him to give Mary a decorative box with a singing bird on it. When Charles argues that it costs too much, Nels tells him, "That little girl has been my pet since the first day she walked into the store." 

Season 6 - "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 it's my favorite from Season 6: Choosing a favorite in this season was tougher than I thought it would be. "Back to School" is great because it introduces Almanzo Wilder, and Laura decides that she will make him see her as a woman one day. "Annabelle" is wonderful because we get some Nels backstory and a stunned Almanzo receives a kiss from an unknown clown. "Wilder and Wilder" is awesome because Laura teaches Almanzo a lesson not to underestimate her. But who can't appreciate Almanzo's change of heart toward Laura in "Sweet Sixteen?" 

As he admits to Charles, he always saw Laura as a young friend, but something changed after she went away. Suddenly, she doesn't seem like the young girl that he pulled off Nellie Oleson in the watering hole ("Back to School.") He's jealous when he thinks Chad Brewster is coming on to Laura, which she bites his head off for. And amazingly, throughout this episode, Laura is finally the one in control of her emotions, even as she is about to get a kiss from the man she has been pursuing since they first met. Almanzo is the one whose feelings are all out of sorts. This is a really good way to bring them into their married years, where Laura was more of an equal partner.