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 Faith Healer

The Banality of Evil; or Total Eclipse of the Appendix (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Faith Healer Airdate: November 19, 1979 Written by Don Balluck Directed by Maury Dexter SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Another Reverend Alden one. This time, Dabbs gets to flex his acting muscles when Aldi is challenged by a rivalContinue reading “The Faith Healer”

The Preacher Takes a Wife

Reverend Fallden; or You May Ask Yourself, Where is My Beautiful Wife? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Preacher Takes a Wife Airdate: October 22, 1979 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Maury Dexter SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mrs. Oleson schemes to destroy Reverend Alden’s new love relationship – until surprise! a darkContinue reading “The Preacher Takes a Wife”

Annabelle

Nels Into Darkness; or The Flying Zaldamos (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Annabelle Airdate: October 15, 1979 Written by Del Reisman Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s another tale of fat-shaming, cruelty, and soul-sickness as Nels’s estranged sister comes to town . . . with the circus. [UPDATE: It cameContinue reading “Annabelle”

The Family Tree

Pin a Heart-Shaped Apron to Your Boobs, You’re Sure to Get a Husband; or Walnut Steamy? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Family Tree Airdate: October 1, 1979 Written by Vincent R. Gutierrez Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: When his biological father surfaces, Albert devises a twisted strategy to getContinue reading “The Family Tree”

“Here Come the Brides”

Midnight in the Garden of Simms and Beadle; or Le Nozze di Pigaro (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Here Come the Brides” [sic] Airdate: December 5, 1977 Written by John T. Dugan Story by Robert F. Metzler and John T. Dugan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie forgets she’s evil,Continue reading ““Here Come the Brides””

“My Ellen”

The Hereditary of Little House on the Prairie Episodes; or Here There Be Busbys (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “My Ellen” [sic] Airdate: September 26, 1977 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Madness and mayhem ensue when Laura accidentally kills yet another Grovester. RECAP: The world is in a frighteningContinue reading ““My Ellen””

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”

The Music Box

Desire Begets Punishment; or Head Games (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Music Box Airdate: March 14, 1977 Written by Robert Janes Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie engages in psychological warfare, blackmailing Laura and torturing a girl with a speech impediment. Then Laura is hanged to death. In other words,Continue reading “The Music Box”

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”