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”

The Lake Kezia Monster

Ahoy, Magnificent Kezia!; or The Mercantile is Gonna Lose So Much Money This Summer (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Lake Kezia Monster Airdate: February 12, 1979 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Inspired by Kezia’s stories, Laura, Albert and Andy orchestrate a campaign of terror againstContinue reading “The Lake Kezia Monster”

The Sound of Children

What Could Go Wrong?; or Notice It’s Not “The SIGHT of Children” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Sound of Children Airdate: February 5, 1979 Written by Carole and Michael Raschella Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Depressing One Alert. Mary and Adam experience the first tragedy in their attempts toContinue reading “The Sound of Children”

The Cheaters

Oh Andy, You Came and Got A’s Without Studying; or In Season Four I Was The Boy (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Cheaters Airdate: November 20, 1978 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Andrew Garvey falls into Nellie’s clutches when she volunteers to tutor him. RECAP:Continue reading “The Cheaters”

“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”

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”

Centennial

An Ingall in Time; or Who Wrote This One, Jimmy Carter? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Centennial Airdate: March 17, 1976 Written by John Hawkins Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL:  An immigrant tries to help people understand what America is really all about. And because it is a fictional story,Continue reading “Centennial”

The Award

Stupid Mary; or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Skip My Final (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Award Airdate: December 11, 1974 Written by Michael Landon Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Stupid Mary almost burns down the barn while studying for a test. Ma freaks out and forbidsContinue reading “The Award”

Ma’s Holiday

Caroline, That’s Enough (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Ma’s Holiday Airdate: November 6, 1974 Written by Dale Eunson Directed by Leo Penn SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Charles takes Caroline on a vacation to Mankato, but she ruins it by worrying about the kids. Mr. Edwards babysits, feeds everybody a rattlesnake, and shoots a holeContinue reading “Ma’s Holiday”