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.
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