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”

Little Women

Bonnets Expand Toward the Sun; or A Gelfling Alive? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Little Women Airdate: January 24, 1977 Written by Dale Eunson and B.W. Sandefur Story by Dale Eunson Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie organizes a scene from Little Women as a school play, but an actor’sContinue reading “Little Women”

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”

Blizzard

You Can Tell There’s Going to Be a Big Body Count in This One; or My Smurf is Coming Loose! (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Blizzard Airdate: January 3, 1976 Written by Paul W. Cooper Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: On Christmas Eve, Miss Beadle finally snaps and attempts toContinue reading “Blizzard”

Little Girl Lost

Caaaaarrriiiiiieeeeeeeee!; or She’s Fine, She Can Barely Speak, Same as Always (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Little Girl Lost Airdate: October 18, 1976 Written by Paul W. Cooper Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s the one where Carrie falls in the well. Meanwhile, Mr. Hanson battles an old enemy for theContinue reading “Little Girl Lost”

The Race

Half This Episode is Fat-Shaming Twelve-Year-Olds (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Race Airdate: October 11, 1976 Written by John V. Hanrahan Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Nellie and Laura are the only two contestants in an annual Hero Township-wide horse race, if you can believe that. RECAP: Bummer ofContinue reading “The Race”

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”

Remember Me: Part One

We’ve Never Actually Seen a Meatwagon on This Show (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Remember Me: Part 1 Airdate: November 5, 1975 Written and directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: A deep-voiced lady enlists Charles as social worker when Doc Baker fails to save her life. RECAP: Oddly, IMDb TV now screwsContinue reading “Remember Me: Part One”

Ebenezer Sprague

Blah Humbug (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Ebenezer Sprague Airdate: September 24, 1975 Written by Hindi Brooks Directed by Victor French SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s yet another old-man best friend for Laura when she teaches an asshole to love. RECAP: We open on Mr. Nelson the Gray-Haired Dude driving down the thoroughfare, accompanied byContinue reading “Ebenezer Sprague”