Blind Journey, Part One

Whoa, We’re Halfway There; or When Ames the Heart (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Blind Journey, Part One Airdate: November 27, 1978 Written by John T. Dugan Story by Carole Raschella, Michael Raschella, and John T. Dugan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: RECAP: ROMAN: Sixteen-plus??? What’s happened to this showContinue reading “Blind Journey, Part One”

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”

Fagin

Big Dickens Energy; or Alibert!: The Musical (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Fagin Airdate: October 23, 1978 Written by Carole and Michael Raschella Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Charles develops an unhealthy obsession with Albert. RECAP: We open on a shot of Charles Ingalls’s muscular shoulders trying to burst through Pinky.Continue reading “Fagin”

There’s No Place Like Home, Part Two

A Winner Don’t Quit on Themselves, Mr. Hanson; or Little House: The Final Yourney (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: There’s No Place Like Home, Part Two Airdate: October 16, 1978 Written by Michael Landon Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: The three families return to Walnut Grove to find Mr. HansonContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home, Part Two”

EXTRA: The 1978 Walnut Groovy Awards

Some of you may recall that between seasons, I like to share historical artifacts from the Walnut Groovy Awards, a ceremony held every summer during Little House’s original run that recognized the cast and crew’s outstanding achievements for the year. (It is from this annual event that our blog takes its name.) My collection ofContinue reading “EXTRA: The 1978 Walnut Groovy Awards”

“I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away,” Part One

Don’t Go to the Doctor; orThe Return of Ebenezer Sprague! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” [sic], Part OneAirdate: March 6, 1978Written by Carole and Michael RaschellaDirected by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mary goes blind. RECAP: Oh boy, are you ready for this one? HereContinue reading ““I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away,” Part One”

A Most Precious Gift

The Birds and The Beads; or Mistress Mary, She-Wolf of Hero Township (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: A Most Precious Gift Airdate: February 27, 1978 Written by Carole and Michael Raschella  Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Ma becomes pregnant, but quickly spirals into prenatal depression and paranoia. Meanwhile, the Bead hasContinue reading “A Most Precious Gift”

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”

“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””

Freedom Flight

Et Tu, Mustache Man? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Freedom Flight Airdate: December 12, 1977 Written by Ron Chiniquy and Richalene Kelsay Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Some of our beloved Grovesters are revealed as vicious racists when a band of Dakota comes looking for help. RECAP:  WILL: Wanna watch anotherContinue reading “Freedom Flight”