The Fighter

The Strongest Smaller Person in Walnut Grove; or You Know, I’ve Never Been With a Black Man Before (a recap by Will Kaiser) EDITOR’S WARNING: This episode contains racist language and images of (barely) covered human penises. Thank you. Title: The Fighter Airdate: November 21, 1977 Written by Michael Landon Story by Lawrence M. KonnerContinue reading “The Fighter”

The High Cost of Being Right

The Fire Next Time; or To the Moon, Alice! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The High Cost of Being Right Airdate: November 14, 1977 Written by Don Balluck Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Jonathan and Alice Garvey are on the verge of splitting up until a laughing-gas leak (or something) savesContinue reading “The High Cost of Being Right”

The Aftermath

Solomon Wept; or The Calamitous Return of Cap’m Beadle (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Aftermath Airdate: November 7, 1977 Written by Don Balluck Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Two murderers on the run come to town and hire Mary, who’s revealed to be a Confederate sympathizer, as a servant.Continue reading “The Aftermath”

To Run and Hide

Where the Buffalos Bone; or The Man Who Let Ernie Kovacs Die (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To Run and Hide Airdate: October 31, 1977 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Doc Baker Kills Another One™ and suffers a nervous breakdown. Meanwhile, Mrs. Oleson begins seeing hisContinue reading “To Run and Hide”

Times of Change

Mr. Ingalls Goes to Chicago; or Abyssinia, John Junior (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Times of Change Airdate: September 19, 1977 Written by Carole and Michael Raschella Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: In Chicago, John Junior experiences character assassination, which I suppose is better than the real assassination he’ll alsoContinue reading “Times of Change”

Gold Country

Tales From the Crick; or Just Wait Till Carrie Starts Saying “Cocksucker” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Gold Country Airdate: April 4, 1977 Written by John Hawkins and B.W. Sandefur Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: The Ingallses and Edwardses travel to Deadwood (!). Whilst in the Black Hills, they encounter muggers,Continue reading “Gold Country”

To Live With Fear: Part One

Night Train to Rochester!; or The Betrayal of Ebenezer Sprague (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To Live With Fear, Part One Airdate: February 14, 1977 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s the one where Mary gets kicked by the horse. RECAP: Mary Stories are always occasionsContinue reading “To Live With Fear: Part One”

I─── Kid

EDITOR’S WARNING (HE BEGAN DEFENSIVELY . . .) This recap features semi-fictional characters (at best) who use racist language in the context of a strongly anti-racist storyline and is rated 13+.    Grandpa Stokes is Not Alright; or Life Ain’t Easy for a Boy Named Spotted Eagle (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: I─── Kid Airdate:Continue reading “I─── Kid”

Quarantine

A Nightmare in Elmsville; or How Many Poison-Ivy Pandemics Can One Town Bear? (a recap by Will Kaiser) TITLE: Quarantine AIRDATE: January 17, 1977 Written by John Hawkins Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Southwest Minnesota reels from a twin outbreak of mountain fever and poison ivy. RECAP: We watched this episode outContinue reading “Quarantine”