The Craftsman

This Might Be the Oldest Person Charles Has Ever Been Fatherly To; or The Acorn Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Craftsman Airdate: January 8, 1979 Written by Paul Wolff Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Another Albert one: This time, he apprentices to an aphorism-spoutingContinue reading “The Craftsman”

Blind Journey, Part Two

Joe Versus the Volcano; or “How Do I Look?” “Like You’re Gonna Kill a Baby and Alice Garvey, Now Go to Bed.” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Blind Journey, Part Two Airdate: December 4, 1978 Written by John T. Dugan Story by Carole Raschella, Michael Raschella, and John T. Dugan Directed by William F.Continue reading “Blind Journey, Part Two”

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”