The Monster of Walnut Grove

All Work and No Play Makes Nels a Dull Boy; or Sworded Scheme (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Monster of Walnut Grove Airdate: November 1, 1976 Written by John Hawkins Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A Halloween special! Nels loses his marbles and Mrs. Oleson loses her head inContinue reading “The Monster of Walnut Grove”

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”

Bunny

Fucking Bunny, Man; or Would They Really Hang a Child on This Show? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Bunny Airdate: October 4, 1976 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Animal abuse escalates the Laura/Nellie war. RECAP: Fucking “Bunny,” man! All hands on deck, let’s do it! We open with aContinue reading “Bunny”

The Talking Machine

She Humiliated Me . . . With Science! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Talking Machine Airdate: January 14, 1976 Written by Harold Swanton Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie is bested by Laura in matters of love, so she plans a humiliation far exceeding anything else she’s done so far.Continue reading “The Talking Machine”

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”

Haunted House

Everybody Likes a Sad Story (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Haunted House Airdate: October 8, 1975 Written by Ray Goldrup, John Hawkins and B.W. Sandefur Story by Ray Goldrup Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Having already befriended the second-scariest guy in town, Laura now targets the first. She’s extra that way.Continue reading “Haunted House”

Survival

That’s Enough History, Mr. Anders; or When Charles Thaws Out, You’re Fucked (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Survival Airdate: February 26, 1975 Written by John Hawkins Story by John Hawkins and Preston Wood Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: The Ingallses find themselves snowed in with an insane and evil U.S.Continue reading “Survival”

Money Crop

A Harvest of Fudge; or Corn Will Be the Biggest Thing to Hit Walnut Grove Since Typhus! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Money Crop Airdate: February 19, 1975 Written by Ward Hawkins Story by John Meston Directed by Leo Penn SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Everybody in town turns into an asshole when a niceContinue reading “Money Crop”

Plague

“When Charles says you’ll be fine, you will.” “Yeah, not like when Doc says it and it’s the kiss of death.” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Plague Airdate: January 29, 1975 Written by Michael Landon Story by William Keys and Michael Landon Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Everybody in townContinue reading “Plague”

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”