“Darkness is My Friend”

A House Call From Chuck Baker; or Does Pa Sneak Some Morphine Home for Albert? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Darkness is My Friend” [sic] Airdate: January 21, 1980 Written by Vince R. Gutierrez Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: When the Blind School is invaded by murderers, Mary, Laura, and PaContinue reading ““Darkness is My Friend””

Crossed Connections

When Harry Met Allie; or Girls Just Want to Have Phone (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Crossed Connections Airdate: December 10, 1979 Written by Don Balluck Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Scandal rocks Hero Township when switchboard operator Mrs. Oleson learns a Grovester’s dark secret. (I won’t tell you who itContinue reading “Crossed Connections”

“Meet Me at the Fair”

Mehwwy in the Sky With Diamonds; or What Did Fake Irish People Ever Do to Michael Landon? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: “Meet Me at the Fair” [sic] Airdate: November 28, 1977 Written by Arthur Heinemann Story by Bradley and Ray Berwick and Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL:Continue reading ““Meet Me at the Fair””

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 Election

You Mush Vote for Mary; or Will the Real Not-Joni Mitchell Please Stand Up? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Election Airdate: March 21, 1977 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A developmentally delayed student gets caught in the crossfire when bullies try to stop Nellie from becomingContinue reading “The Election”

EXTRA: Charlotte Stewart: The Walnut Groovy Interview

An extra-special treat for you all today. Enjoy. – WK *** WILL: Charlotte Stewart! Well, this is a fantastic pleasure, and if it’s okay, I’ll introduce us first. My name’s Will and I created Walnut Groovy as a kind of different type of Little House fan site. This is my wife Dagny.  CHARLOTTE STEWART: NiceContinue reading “EXTRA: Charlotte Stewart: The Walnut Groovy Interview”

The Spring Dance

The Love of Willie Oleson; or She’s My Cherry Pie (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Spring Dance Airdate: October 29, 1975 Written by Gerry Day Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Laura fakes a love affair with Willie to get a boy’s attention. Meanwhile, Grace Snider does the exact sameContinue reading “The Spring Dance”

In the Big Inning

The Bad News Millers/Merchants/Mulligans/Heavenly Hosts – In Which the Studly Bearded Stranger’s True Identity is Finally Revealed! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: In the Big Inning Airdate: October 1, 1975 Written by B.W. Sandefur Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A baseball game. RECAP: This strange episode was likely a tie-in toContinue reading “In the Big Inning”

Christmas at Plum Creek

“Do you see what the tree’s decorated with?” “Yah. Sexcorn.” (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Christmas at Plum Creek Airdate: December 25, 1974 Written by Arthur Heinemann Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: The Ingallses all get each other stupid Christmas presents. Laura sells Bunny to Nellie to buy Ma aContinue reading “Christmas at Plum Creek”

The Lord is My Shepherd: Part One

Mother’s Milk . . . or Murder? or, You Couldn’t Wear a Floppy Bonnet in a Serious Situation Like This (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Lord is My Shepherd [Part 1] Airdate: December 18, 1974 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Ma has a baby boy, but Laura praysContinue reading “The Lord is My Shepherd: Part One”