“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”

Annabelle

Nels Into Darkness; or The Flying Zaldamos (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: Annabelle Airdate: October 15, 1979 Written by Del Reisman Directed by William F. Claxton SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: It’s another tale of fat-shaming, cruelty, and soul-sickness as Nels’s estranged sister comes to town . . . with the circus. [UPDATE: It cameContinue reading “Annabelle”

The Lake Kezia Monster

Ahoy, Magnificent Kezia!; or The Mercantile is Gonna Lose So Much Money This Summer (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Lake Kezia Monster Airdate: February 12, 1979 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Inspired by Kezia’s stories, Laura, Albert and Andy orchestrate a campaign of terror againstContinue reading “The Lake Kezia Monster”

The Craftsman

This Might Be the Oldest Person Charles Has Ever Been Fatherly To; or The Acorn Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree? (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: The Craftsman Airdate: January 8, 1979 Written by Paul Wolff Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Another Albert one: This time, he apprentices to an aphorism-spoutingContinue reading “The Craftsman”

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”

To Run and Hide

Where the Buffalos Bone; or The Man Who Let Ernie Kovacs Die (a recap by Will Kaiser) Title: To Run and Hide Airdate: October 31, 1977 Written by John T. Dugan Directed by Michael Landon SUMMARY IN A NUTSHELL: Doc Baker Kills Another One™ and suffers a nervous breakdown. Meanwhile, Mrs. Oleson begins seeing hisContinue reading “To Run and Hide”

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”

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”

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”