“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” (Part One)

New York CITY?!; or It Took a Gay Guy To Teach Nels To Be a Man (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” [sic] Airdate: May 5, 1980 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL:  Almanzo shows his true colors when Pa insists Laura can’t marryContinue reading ““He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” (Part One)”

“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 Werewolf of Walnut Grove

Eliza Jane Triumphant; or What Can You Write About the Sky? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Werewolf of Walnut Grove Airdate: January 7, 1980 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: In this very odd mélange of previous story elements, Laura and Albert pull a supernaturalContinue reading “The Werewolf of Walnut Grove”

The Third Miracle

Only You Can Prevent Four-Eyes Fires; or Please Save My Nepo Baby! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Third Miracle Airdate: October 8, 1979 Written by John T. Dugan Story by Kenneth Hunter Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Ol’ Four Eyes – excuse me, I mean Mary – is BACK!  AndContinue reading “The Third Miracle”

Harriet’s Happenings

If I Have to Create Stories, Then That’s What I’m Gonna Do; or I Don’t Care If It’s Not True, I Believe It! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Harriet’s Happenings Airdate: October 30, 1978 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: An amoral editor gives Mrs. OlesonContinue reading “Harriet’s Happenings”

There’s No Place Like Home, Part One

Noe Country for Old Men; or You Gotta Noe When to Fold ’Em (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: There’s No Place Like Home, Part One Airdate: October 9, 1978 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A fool named Toby Noe and his money are soon parted. Ma gives Laura anContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home, Part One”

The Inheritance

Crap on the Barrel; or Sometimes It Doesn’t Pay to Be an Organ Donor (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Inheritance Airdate: February 6, 1978 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Charles and Caroline stupidly spend an unexpected windfall before they even receive it. RECAP: I hateContinue reading “The Inheritance”

The Bully Boys

Nice to Beat You; or What is This, Straw Dogs? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Bully Boys Airdate: December 6, 1976 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: When a new family comes to town, Mary and Pa are brutalized, and Ma is molested in the street. ButContinue reading “The Bully Boys”

The Race

Half This Episode is Fat-Shaming Twelve-Year-Olds (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Race Airdate: October 11, 1976 Written by John V. Hanrahan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie and Laura are the only two contestants in an annual Hero Township-wide horse race, if you can believe that. RECAP: Bummer ofContinue reading “The Race”