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”

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”

The Hunters

Dead Horses are the Dead Horse of This Show; or Who Ordered a Michael Landon on the Rocks? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Hunters Airdate: December 20, 1976 Written by Harold Swanton Directed by Michael Landon EDITOR’S NOTE: Our family watched this episode before our interview with Melissa Gilbert, so if you haven’tContinue reading “The Hunters”

EXTRA: Melissa Gilbert – The Walnut Groovy Interview

The holidays came a little bit early for us here at Walnut Groovy. A week before Thanksgiving, we had the intense pleasure of interviewing the magnificent Melissa Gilbert . . . or, as she styled herself on the call, “the Artist Formerly Known as Half-Pint.” In the best Walnut Groovy tradition, the conversation took aboutContinue reading “EXTRA: Melissa Gilbert – The Walnut Groovy Interview”

Soldier’s Return

Whip It Sad; or Six Degrees of Granville Whipple (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Soldier’s Return Airdate: March 24, 1976 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL:  Almost in time for Mother’s Day (and Fentanyl Awareness Day), we meet Mrs. Whipple’s son Granville, who loses his life toContinue reading “Soldier’s Return”

His Father’s Son

I’m Un-Adopting You; or HOLY SHIT A BEAR!!!!! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: His Father’s Son Airdate: January 7, 1976 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Macho Mr. Edwards and sissy John Junior struggle to understand each other, and HOLY SHIT A BEAR!!!!! [UPDATE: It’s been three and a halfContinue reading “His Father’s Son”

Founder’s Day

The Load of Bull (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Founder’s Day Airdate: May 7, 1975 Written by John and Ward Hawkins Story by Byron Twiggs and Ward Hawkins Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A huge insane old idiot is an asshole to everyone, but Charles feels sorry for his wife,Continue reading “Founder’s Day”

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”

Circus Man

Full O’Shit (a recap by Will Kaiser) NOTE: I want to dedicate this one to my late friend Billy, a Little House fan who loved Red Buttons. I miss you, buddy. – WK Title: Circus Man Airdate: February 5, 1975 Written by Ward Hawkins Story by Preston Wood and Ward Hawkins Directed by Victor FrenchContinue reading “Circus Man”