Barn Burner

Look How Mad His Butt Is; or Hit Him With the Moose Head! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Barn Burner Airdate: February 19, 1979 Written by Don Balluck Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: After the Barn of Garve burns down (again), the rule of law finally comes to Walnut Grove.  DarkContinue reading “Barn Burner”

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”

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”

There’s No Place Like Home, Part One

Noe Country for Old Men; or You Gotta Noe When to Fold ’Em (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: There’s No Place Like Home, Part One Airdate: October 9, 1978 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A fool named Toby Noe and his money are soon parted. Ma gives Laura anContinue reading “There’s No Place Like Home, Part One”

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”

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 Stranger

The Charles Effect (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Stranger Airdate: February 20, 1978 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A depressed child who lives in a palace and is somehow related to Nels comes to town. He’s got some problems, but fortunately Nels knows a good socialContinue reading “The Stranger”

“Be My Friend”

Creek to Nowhere; or They Wouldn’t Just Give it to Some Rando Jezebel (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Be My Friend” [sic] Airdate: January 30, 1978 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Tortured by her insane dad, a sad girl abandons her baby; but TV’s most meddlesome father/daughter duo intervenes.Continue reading ““Be My Friend””

Whisper Country

What the Fuck Country (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Whisper Country Airdate: January 16, 1978 Written by John Hawkins Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Deeply weird even by this show’s standards, this one is a strange tale of witch vs bitch. RECAP: First off, I’m very happy to announce that ourContinue reading “Whisper Country”