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.