“Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56”

The Big Chill, Walnut Grove-Style; or The Name’s Charles Ingalls, Motherfucker (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56” [sic] Airdate: January 14, 1980 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Where do I begin? The Midwest regional Grange meeting in Milwaukee has overlapped withContinue reading ““Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56””

The Werewolf of Walnut Grove

Eliza Jane Triumphant; or What Can You Write About the Sky? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Werewolf of Walnut Grove Airdate: January 7, 1980 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: In this very odd mélange of previous story elements, Laura and Albert pull a supernaturalContinue reading “The Werewolf of Walnut Grove”

The Enchanted Cottage

Always Look On the Bright Side of Life; or Stupid Mary Rides Again (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Enchanted Cottage Airdate: February 26, 1979 Written by Don Balluck Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Mary can see again! Actually, no she can’t.  In other business, Michael Landon’s infatuation with theContinue reading “The Enchanted Cottage”

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”

“Dance With Me”

Oh Noes!!; or Pa’s Chest is the Perfect Roast-Chicken Color (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Dance With Me” [sic] Airdate: January 22, 1979 Written by Paul Wolff Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Toby Noe is captured and extradited to Walnut Grove, where he falls in love. RECAP: No time for aContinue reading ““Dance With Me””

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”

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”

Freedom Flight

Et Tu, Mustache Man? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Freedom Flight Airdate: December 12, 1977 Written by Ron Chiniquy and Richalene Kelsay Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Some of our beloved Grovesters are revealed as vicious racists when a band of Dakota comes looking for help. RECAP:  WILL: Wanna watch anotherContinue reading “Freedom Flight”

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”

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”