“Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56”

The Big Chill, Walnut Grove-Style; or The Name’s Charles Ingalls, Motherfucker (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56” [sic] Airdate: January 14, 1980 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Where do I begin? The Midwest regional Grange meeting in Milwaukee has overlapped withContinue reading ““Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56””

The Angry Heart

Yes, Virginia, Our Grandson is an Asshole; or Hester-Sue Would Rock the Shit Out of This Song (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Angry Heart Airdate: December 17, 1979 Written by Del Reisman Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Therapy Charles has to cure a guy who’s addicted to beating up hisContinue reading “The Angry Heart”

Men Will Be Boys

Men II Boyz; or I Just Can’t Quit You, David Rose (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Men Will Be Boys Airdate: November 13, 1978 Written by Don Balluck Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: As a prank/lesson, Charles and Garvey send their sons on a camping adventure; but they’re the onesContinue reading “Men Will Be Boys”

“Be My Friend”

Creek to Nowhere; or They Wouldn’t Just Give it to Some Rando Jezebel (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Be My Friend” [sic] Airdate: January 30, 1978 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Tortured by her insane dad, a sad girl abandons her baby; but TV’s most meddlesome father/daughter duo intervenes.Continue reading ““Be My Friend””

The Aftermath

Solomon Wept; or The Calamitous Return of Cap’m Beadle (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Aftermath Airdate: November 7, 1977 Written by Don Balluck Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Two murderers on the run come to town and hire Mary, who’s revealed to be a Confederate sympathizer, as a servant.Continue reading “The Aftermath”

To Run and Hide

Where the Buffalos Bone; or The Man Who Let Ernie Kovacs Die (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To Run and Hide Airdate: October 31, 1977 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Doc Baker Kills Another One™ and suffers a nervous breakdown. Meanwhile, Mrs. Oleson begins seeing hisContinue reading “To Run and Hide”

Castoffs

The She-Hobo; or It’s Dead Jack’s Point of View! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Castoffs Airdate: September 12 September 12, 1977 Written by Tony Kayden Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nels gets drunk, and a plot to drive away a British kook is foiled by The Magic of Walnut Grove! Oh,Continue reading “Castoffs”

To Live With Fear: Part Two

To Live With Disappointment; or Charles Ingalls and the Temple of Doom (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To Live With Fear, Part Two Airdate: February 21, 1977 Written by John Hawkins Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mary’s life hangs by a thread, but instead of worrying about that, wouldn’t youContinue reading “To Live With Fear: Part Two”

Fred

When You Assume, It Makes a Goat Out of U and Me; or Charge-in’ Charles (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Fred Airdate: November 29, 1976 Written by Robert Vincent Wright Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Everybody gets an ass-butt from a goat. And, Charles is naked. RECAP: We’ve a specialContinue reading “Fred”