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 curtises. 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"
When his shady ways get Thomas Stark into tremendous debt, he goes out of his mind, shoots his wife and daughter, and then winds up at the Wilders' house while Laura is home with Rose and Jenny. In his delirious state, he mistakes Laura and Jenny for his wife and daughter, which puts them in grave danger.
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"
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 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.
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