The Pride of Walnut Grove

The Crochet One; or Is This Rated Thirteen-Plus Because Charles Has Sex With Mrs. Whipple? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Pride of Walnut Grove Airdate: January 28, 1976 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mary is sent to a math competition in Minneapolis, where she experiencesContinue reading “The Pride of Walnut Grove”

The Gift

The Grifters; or The Wheels of Evil (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Gift Airdate: December 17, 1975 Written by Rocci Chatfield Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura gets entangled in history’s first pyramid scheme, steamrolls Mary, and pretends Caroline is dead. RECAP:  DAGNY: You know, I realized today WalnutContinue reading “The Gift”

Remember Me: Part Two

The Burden of Being Charles Ingalls; or I’ll Be Brokering an Adoption Deal as You Drive Away (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Remember Me: Part 2 Airdate: November 12, 1975 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: When Charles is appointed Vice President of Orphan Affairs, he pisses off everybody inContinue reading “Remember Me: Part Two”

Remember Me: Part One

We’ve Never Actually Seen a Meatwagon on This Show (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Remember Me: Part 1 Airdate: November 5, 1975 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A deep-voiced lady enlists Charles as social worker when Doc Baker fails to save her life. RECAP: Oddly, IMDb TV now screwsContinue reading “Remember Me: Part One”

In the Big Inning

The Bad News Millers/Merchants/Mulligans/Heavenly Hosts – In Which the Studly Bearded Stranger’s True Identity is Finally Revealed! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: In the Big Inning Airdate: October 1, 1975 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A baseball game. RECAP: This strange episode was likely a tie-in toContinue reading “In the Big Inning”

The Richest Man in Walnut Grove

The Return of Lemon Verbena (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Richest Man in Walnut Grove Airdate: September 10, 1975 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: After getting laid off, Charles panics because he can’t pay his bill at the Mercantile, even though Nels says it’s no big deal. That’s theContinue reading “The Richest Man in Walnut Grove”

Child of Pain

Charles Tried To Make Me Go To Rehab (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Child of Pain Airdate: February 12, 1975 Written by John Meston Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Charles makes an abusive drunk go to rehab. RECAP: Our story’s a dark one this time (with a dark title), and weContinue reading “Child of Pain”

Family Quarrel

Harriet the Suffragette (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Family Quarrel Airdate: January 15, 1975 Written by Ward Hawkins Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nels moves out on Harriet, and she and Caroline become friends. Mary and Laura hug Nellie and Willie. Nels has a stupid dog for some reason. RECAP:Continue reading “Family Quarrel”

Christmas at Plum Creek

“Do you see what the tree’s decorated with?” “Yah. Sexcorn.” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Christmas at Plum Creek Airdate: December 25, 1974 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: The Ingallses all get each other stupid Christmas presents. Laura sells Bunny to Nellie to buy Ma aContinue reading “Christmas at Plum Creek”

The Lord is My Shepherd: Part One

Mother’s Milk . . . or Murder? or, You Couldn’t Wear a Floppy Bonnet in a Serious Situation Like This (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Lord is My Shepherd [Part 1] Airdate: December 18, 1974 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Ma has a baby boy, but Laura praysContinue reading “The Lord is My Shepherd: Part One”