tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62883663830586487022024-03-13T17:24:22.138-03:00Welcome to Walnut GroveA Little House on the prairie retrospectiveJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-57615628261293435042010-02-07T21:23:00.001-04:002010-02-07T21:29:37.252-04:00Child of Pain<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNl6lf0ovsZWrYhBGysD2AvwKT5Um_0Fo72iZeySP8TCA5kVL8H364h8oBCA4FFX7fCwbSYD02xGzUims4bUokQryKXjuRCf_nSOc0VNqOoDkOK3i59M59MySKAI_gqVYrnHr4hY4L-m5/s1600-h/title.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNl6lf0ovsZWrYhBGysD2AvwKT5Um_0Fo72iZeySP8TCA5kVL8H364h8oBCA4FFX7fCwbSYD02xGzUims4bUokQryKXjuRCf_nSOc0VNqOoDkOK3i59M59MySKAI_gqVYrnHr4hY4L-m5/s320/title.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659439486009938" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's nighttime in Walnut Grove. In a small barn, a dirty looking guy is scrounging through the haystack for a booze bottle. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAAA7fyzN8mFbbXVdO7k0ldg1TcdbS1tF4aG22FK3A8XSTFYsEMihKpLc1iqwJpf1xCsWMWJK5XlkVU1F1n0fXjQqbPIGTvuM6JvDIxF9f78hw72UQg_BMLxaB7zO3wnEJ9fb1RZyh1SL/s1600-h/it's+simply+not+enough.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAAA7fyzN8mFbbXVdO7k0ldg1TcdbS1tF4aG22FK3A8XSTFYsEMihKpLc1iqwJpf1xCsWMWJK5XlkVU1F1n0fXjQqbPIGTvuM6JvDIxF9f78hw72UQg_BMLxaB7zO3wnEJ9fb1RZyh1SL/s320/it's+simply+not+enough.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659432955365394" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">There's not very much left, but, eh, apparently that's all he needs to become a drunken maniac. As we will see...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Inside the house, a wee boy is peeling vegetables. The drunken pa, John Stewart, was responsible for bringing the meat, but he forgot. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This kid's a nag. He's all, "You promised not to drink anymore" and "You never stop at one drink". So he'd broken the bottles of whiskey that were in the house.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0RhEqRz6_Ns_xMcrwjrcQlC8yD9F8TDE5gLPm5h31k2kZ0VgPUZg90niq5UL24-5od7B0ZrGatUgCa-cavzAQvfzxiWPzotlzf1Z0yjI50rJ_Xx0n2SMX-2p9lkeijnSdkANO-RRGITN/s1600-h/you+promised+not+to+drink+anymore.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0RhEqRz6_Ns_xMcrwjrcQlC8yD9F8TDE5gLPm5h31k2kZ0VgPUZg90niq5UL24-5od7B0ZrGatUgCa-cavzAQvfzxiWPzotlzf1Z0yjI50rJ_Xx0n2SMX-2p9lkeijnSdkANO-RRGITN/s320/you+promised+not+to+drink+anymore.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659427641427106" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stewart is in drunken despair. Hey, guy, don't forget about that conveniently hanging belt just in front of your eyeballs. That's probably good for teaching a kid a lesson about busting yo' stash.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qD9aJSzm2f_3pbsowDUJNZffHPjpXS6itpUqDQKDLOTul7w46vl8I7STP1BlIAyfm0tbfbczW5vmQn0hA-Ps80TkASua7RIhyphenhyphenNZxtu2adfYZb-nvCIjCcI6GMNOKBqEDWstXo286ZAie/s1600-h/belt+alert.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qD9aJSzm2f_3pbsowDUJNZffHPjpXS6itpUqDQKDLOTul7w46vl8I7STP1BlIAyfm0tbfbczW5vmQn0hA-Ps80TkASua7RIhyphenhyphenNZxtu2adfYZb-nvCIjCcI6GMNOKBqEDWstXo286ZAie/s320/belt+alert.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659301699256850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day at the schoolhouse, Graham Stewart shows up with a black eye & it's attracting a LOT of attention. Miss Beadle takes him outside for a conference.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDtFqoROJI7P2JoKTVOp7j2JAfmmPZxIpL3hX5Gbvz_6P6xWOECC1EO7uvyIoO3EkpxnOYahDYNq5TqpZ1UaHEnVMIPXupcyzcndzcOnVCVoycaixwWk6M_VM7XR5moG2zE-j0vZ0oYBR/s1600-h/this+is+what+happens+when+you+bust+the+whisky.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDtFqoROJI7P2JoKTVOp7j2JAfmmPZxIpL3hX5Gbvz_6P6xWOECC1EO7uvyIoO3EkpxnOYahDYNq5TqpZ1UaHEnVMIPXupcyzcndzcOnVCVoycaixwWk6M_VM7XR5moG2zE-j0vZ0oYBR/s320/this+is+what+happens+when+you+bust+the+whisky.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659295208329906" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsj4ei4VE2oJ8Eo8-FiYrDeAJSI_qus34QNKUDNj757CeLHE9SK_h1KgIaPEJ5J6OMIFpeVHaWR080uD8QaP0-J5bH83FCbkhkjKeDGwLgwQ_JPKGQlqGxXK4J2ZidozkIVqdyavAXnY5/s1600-h/what+you+never+seen.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsj4ei4VE2oJ8Eo8-FiYrDeAJSI_qus34QNKUDNj757CeLHE9SK_h1KgIaPEJ5J6OMIFpeVHaWR080uD8QaP0-J5bH83FCbkhkjKeDGwLgwQ_JPKGQlqGxXK4J2ZidozkIVqdyavAXnY5/s320/what+you+never+seen.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659285132009314" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE04hbr952ZpFywEQhv8IppIjVEUjpYmzX-wISH_NWSw63lTpNSPFg-qoW173oR7WxJ9csxM_5n38Bp6zI1vbQPMcopTfYvTfe9Gr5wqJRyAmnHfEfuTCQZcKIr_qTXlFzJx7Xb1oRcFRA/s1600-h/a+black+eye+before.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE04hbr952ZpFywEQhv8IppIjVEUjpYmzX-wISH_NWSw63lTpNSPFg-qoW173oR7WxJ9csxM_5n38Bp6zI1vbQPMcopTfYvTfe9Gr5wqJRyAmnHfEfuTCQZcKIr_qTXlFzJx7Xb1oRcFRA/s320/a+black+eye+before.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659284795457602" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok, setting up the meddle: Pa is in the doc's office paying off some bills when Miss Beadle brings in the kid. This shit is like crack for Charles Ingalls. C-R-A-C-K. He will not be able to resist. This guy is going to teach <i>someone else</i> how to beat an addiction?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf8s0O1zbZmt-hiHgYcVfF68q97OkTf0url1vnL-w4AOe03-YACoiLWpD4RZVik37uKfjLvmVNUbtNv6teQmoV0QKWWYvsjQ2Fjvoxybnnn8WmpsXec8ETR5Z8zD7vsx_O9D0oNIX-v4z/s1600-h/payin+the+doc.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf8s0O1zbZmt-hiHgYcVfF68q97OkTf0url1vnL-w4AOe03-YACoiLWpD4RZVik37uKfjLvmVNUbtNv6teQmoV0QKWWYvsjQ2Fjvoxybnnn8WmpsXec8ETR5Z8zD7vsx_O9D0oNIX-v4z/s320/payin+the+doc.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659276604969090" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I mean, seriously, this kid's back has been smeared with eyeshadow. We can't allow this to continue! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGq7CwuJBvxhxyCrpUS-gYg55a9QX-yC5KcmLTJkYnMiwDURhwc3StDGhL8UfvDR9GOVhpf7OFB5D1sDz8m0qzN95WGEMFD4QoEElYjtyil0RAt0ELuA2xZriyUNQs1Fzhm9Vu_1-U6jR/s1600-h/omg+his+backs+been+smeared+with+eyeshadow.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGq7CwuJBvxhxyCrpUS-gYg55a9QX-yC5KcmLTJkYnMiwDURhwc3StDGhL8UfvDR9GOVhpf7OFB5D1sDz8m0qzN95WGEMFD4QoEElYjtyil0RAt0ELuA2xZriyUNQs1Fzhm9Vu_1-U6jR/s320/omg+his+backs+been+smeared+with+eyeshadow.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659012441236146" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's clear that Graham's father has been abusing him. Previous stern talks from both Doc Baker & the Rev haven't made him clean up his act & stop beating his kid. If Doc Baker wasn't so doggone civilized, he'd recommend a public horsewhipping. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FyGJwL_LqqIkb_tdmllEnpgVVn_1SVGqGuziVMAdUMM92MfwnXcTyrEKUo04e8tXMD1O0fElkBIeauOhCwh1bzWWbcZSGBcB0_b8NMWJD0r2JMzTEFYUmxPq2dnre8WnnS3LRR4l8vec/s1600-h/i+wish+you+werent+so+civilized.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FyGJwL_LqqIkb_tdmllEnpgVVn_1SVGqGuziVMAdUMM92MfwnXcTyrEKUo04e8tXMD1O0fElkBIeauOhCwh1bzWWbcZSGBcB0_b8NMWJD0r2JMzTEFYUmxPq2dnre8WnnS3LRR4l8vec/s320/i+wish+you+werent+so+civilized.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659006792702146" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He really would. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But Pa enjoys democracy. He believes that the majority of Hero Township isn't gonna wanna see that kid getting beat, but we need to be sure. He calls a meeting, which draws all the important townspeople, and a few knobs. It's unclear what to do, because there's no constable or sheriff until you get to Springfield. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0J8mGojuX5XBQO_XTc277-SlQJ9ZYjqWoCF8W2j-bGER7yDtu4u5GuWqxh11Sdy6Ks_SYgiSJXpGa7o0WFbPat_h38cBkOjPhfkk9TUuWMIyujYLAQmoqeN8p7-XqcsQT9ChvqcBXgWg/s1600-h/all+the+important+townspeople+gather+(and+some+knobs).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0J8mGojuX5XBQO_XTc277-SlQJ9ZYjqWoCF8W2j-bGER7yDtu4u5GuWqxh11Sdy6Ks_SYgiSJXpGa7o0WFbPat_h38cBkOjPhfkk9TUuWMIyujYLAQmoqeN8p7-XqcsQT9ChvqcBXgWg/s320/all+the+important+townspeople+gather+(and+some+knobs).JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435659003053417874" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Boozefiend walks in & starts intimidating them: "You talkin' about me? Well, here I am."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPQaBI3YgpU_hFSHGiZb77HSgmZuj85xHXIrEmF_soIPEzPswTWbJOG25PfP5CW1MpJia58iHEjdewXIAViusMhONOg0EGW27WbTNMGFNYxjI9NAPX93XvZCB4zP2yhnpFp0skfo2rQgC/s1600-h/yes+theys+talkin+about+you.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPQaBI3YgpU_hFSHGiZb77HSgmZuj85xHXIrEmF_soIPEzPswTWbJOG25PfP5CW1MpJia58iHEjdewXIAViusMhONOg0EGW27WbTNMGFNYxjI9NAPX93XvZCB4zP2yhnpFp0skfo2rQgC/s320/yes+theys+talkin+about+you.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658996530285426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He engages in some general douchery, but Pa Ingalls makes it clear that the whole town has a beef & that they can take his boy away. But that's not gonna work because the kid is brainwashed. He loves his pa. If he wasn't bad, his pa wouldn't have to whip him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the meeting, Ma & Pa try to wind down. Even a dog stays with a master who beats him, which isn't really a satisfactory answer. Ma decides to use praying. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclrmXjvlGEuLi3WEYyIMrV9PMlv9hRROxVHLwc9b7JnyCz3v1cVV4Y9tu2ftxrvWsAmx9h59NLMJQF_d7oENcaIe15Ywx-7OyWLu836RnbxZrTCLYk54q81IGefZeCh0Ekkx0c-Fbrrx_/s1600-h/ma+has+a+hard+time+listening.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLngpHYfeyuG8LQzlw9NA6ouDNtPeN37Mcmea5inBggZMA8uhYV5uj-6RGMnrdFOkx6ZNiCfE_WeCq3WpB-0pQTsHGdPmMrViuJFA8BCJ9SHtTkJuCWJHn1scDhR4pDYoPsVnzyRE4mI3_/s1600-h/what+to+do+what+to+do.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLngpHYfeyuG8LQzlw9NA6ouDNtPeN37Mcmea5inBggZMA8uhYV5uj-6RGMnrdFOkx6ZNiCfE_WeCq3WpB-0pQTsHGdPmMrViuJFA8BCJ9SHtTkJuCWJHn1scDhR4pDYoPsVnzyRE4mI3_/s320/what+to+do+what+to+do.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658534299911346" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Next day: recess! Miss Beadle goes to mill to talk to Charles. Graham Stewart didn't come to school today. I smell trouble. Pa goes to investigate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Stewart place has been ransacked; there's shit lying everywhere. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLngpHYfeyuG8LQzlw9NA6ouDNtPeN37Mcmea5inBggZMA8uhYV5uj-6RGMnrdFOkx6ZNiCfE_WeCq3WpB-0pQTsHGdPmMrViuJFA8BCJ9SHtTkJuCWJHn1scDhR4pDYoPsVnzyRE4mI3_/s1600-h/what+to+do+what+to+do.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBsODjvuAKeFkVwkE3LJ7rxd9PW4d4aJr4iWNJy-R_IWF6_MCjuYcWBR4dhFUkpShG-y1Gdu_ZzuoHC4EPopfUYv29lPF8qW3Yk-26EYjmtCZYqnUcAKx6TB3cADPwHGYSBrCa0Awa_r6/s1600-h/ransacked.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBsODjvuAKeFkVwkE3LJ7rxd9PW4d4aJr4iWNJy-R_IWF6_MCjuYcWBR4dhFUkpShG-y1Gdu_ZzuoHC4EPopfUYv29lPF8qW3Yk-26EYjmtCZYqnUcAKx6TB3cADPwHGYSBrCa0Awa_r6/s320/ransacked.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658533409843410" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Including a human being.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBsODjvuAKeFkVwkE3LJ7rxd9PW4d4aJr4iWNJy-R_IWF6_MCjuYcWBR4dhFUkpShG-y1Gdu_ZzuoHC4EPopfUYv29lPF8qW3Yk-26EYjmtCZYqnUcAKx6TB3cADPwHGYSBrCa0Awa_r6/s1600-h/ransacked.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JrheWI3pXjUilRV0n5sxM80d5932mjn_dVucrQvP36whr3PO28ajc0MoC-cN2Lm9GDIuJpX487BVew15xtMnxNFRseGKak74jxkdtqRuCSrFUcLaNV8M2wyQw6fzXrDpTQYpO5uk-jJz/s1600-h/theres+shit+everywhere+including+a+human+being.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JrheWI3pXjUilRV0n5sxM80d5932mjn_dVucrQvP36whr3PO28ajc0MoC-cN2Lm9GDIuJpX487BVew15xtMnxNFRseGKak74jxkdtqRuCSrFUcLaNV8M2wyQw6fzXrDpTQYpO5uk-jJz/s320/theres+shit+everywhere+including+a+human+being.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658525023842658" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa takes the kid's wrapped body to his wagon. Drunk father is passed out in the barn, an unconscious witness to his son's kidnapping. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JrheWI3pXjUilRV0n5sxM80d5932mjn_dVucrQvP36whr3PO28ajc0MoC-cN2Lm9GDIuJpX487BVew15xtMnxNFRseGKak74jxkdtqRuCSrFUcLaNV8M2wyQw6fzXrDpTQYpO5uk-jJz/s1600-h/theres+shit+everywhere+including+a+human+being.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGiH74tbRB4elxS6Wh0vDrGpiu_ndGx3nRwdNlVtPddLjseKC-KEpTxJFPtLWrwXUMGIVv95xWzh61hb6vOlC_mI3TjdMF7FqOxh28t_KdaNKQnKGerfqpqaCTxBELT1oAKJ887gy2ynT/s1600-h/passed+out+kidnapping+witness.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGiH74tbRB4elxS6Wh0vDrGpiu_ndGx3nRwdNlVtPddLjseKC-KEpTxJFPtLWrwXUMGIVv95xWzh61hb6vOlC_mI3TjdMF7FqOxh28t_KdaNKQnKGerfqpqaCTxBELT1oAKJ887gy2ynT/s320/passed+out+kidnapping+witness.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658524496938274" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Doc Baker won't know the kid's condition until he wakes up. And speaking of waking up, John Stewart is out of his stupor and in a rage at the doc's office. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBwwY0uE0cW-U4MZ42PLdMAWcsQxD8BTeiGl7aoVi7SaYwiOnhpczRCipTnldQW5DbUiMp8c7-gE5OdpQvCXlxRVg30JZEwZK43WzxIvahUNTjmzUIZjZz9M-itHzmp1cmj8S5zQC8i2v/s1600-h/you+%27n+doc+tryna+steal+ma+boy.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBwwY0uE0cW-U4MZ42PLdMAWcsQxD8BTeiGl7aoVi7SaYwiOnhpczRCipTnldQW5DbUiMp8c7-gE5OdpQvCXlxRVg30JZEwZK43WzxIvahUNTjmzUIZjZz9M-itHzmp1cmj8S5zQC8i2v/s320/you+%27n+doc+tryna+steal+ma+boy.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658248251123954" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Good thing Pa's got the muscles of a bouncer. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBwwY0uE0cW-U4MZ42PLdMAWcsQxD8BTeiGl7aoVi7SaYwiOnhpczRCipTnldQW5DbUiMp8c7-gE5OdpQvCXlxRVg30JZEwZK43WzxIvahUNTjmzUIZjZz9M-itHzmp1cmj8S5zQC8i2v/s1600-h/you+%27n+doc+tryna+steal+ma+boy.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFw8qNXAozmKhrQdDpgNWgpmWdT_69KdmO4jfAoTY9Jkv03o5zV03aoh1uwA2U-tnuaJrEkEvpOXyVQzCR7lbqwsA-BSFOsvczrnT8tbdcgbA7JWW6h6ACtJ8eFcjCFHTlmEQiXHRkFSb/s1600-h/no+messing+around.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFw8qNXAozmKhrQdDpgNWgpmWdT_69KdmO4jfAoTY9Jkv03o5zV03aoh1uwA2U-tnuaJrEkEvpOXyVQzCR7lbqwsA-BSFOsvczrnT8tbdcgbA7JWW6h6ACtJ8eFcjCFHTlmEQiXHRkFSb/s320/no+messing+around.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658242642602050" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa wants Stewart to witness the carnage he's caused... ok, so that looks pretty tame. Unless the doc's disapproving stare is the worst thing you could ever imagine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp06rO2j5qeSzi6rzN-VgcnMsifZNwozDEBnDP0QKJRpy7clVhVNRWYsAlYciCIRiaHNQ2XPv8NfRQY9Tuh90MEAeKGW-hCnHTs830zvvDoUNg2bKsh1HxqgtzlS026KubgGJb9KgvB5k/s320/capture.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stewart seems kinda shocked when the kid won't wake up. He's totally remorseful. He even says: "Help me. In the name of God, help me", basically giving Pa permission to punch his face every time he says 'whiskey'.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, they lock up Stewart in Hansen's storeroom & hold another town meeting. Ma's hypothesis is that by helping the father, the son will be helped as well. Kennedy is in this episode, being a constant d-bag at town meetings, <a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/10/voice-of-tinker-jones-season-1-episode.html">as he tends to do</a>. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFw8qNXAozmKhrQdDpgNWgpmWdT_69KdmO4jfAoTY9Jkv03o5zV03aoh1uwA2U-tnuaJrEkEvpOXyVQzCR7lbqwsA-BSFOsvczrnT8tbdcgbA7JWW6h6ACtJ8eFcjCFHTlmEQiXHRkFSb/s1600-h/no+messing+around.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgFzKYRyKGEJQOa6No2L-1WnJy_ifioc7t4FyjQne4lV_lBzIgwZ9sMQSm0eLtke0lGl49Xtla7rO9Boh2nLsfr4u6wZK19yWsBDvL9JogHeCoK__HfeMcdpJGEhaCFyk2s3cwxcjEcmS/s1600-h/kennedy+thinks+its+a+waste+of+time+and+he+aint+backin+down.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgFzKYRyKGEJQOa6No2L-1WnJy_ifioc7t4FyjQne4lV_lBzIgwZ9sMQSm0eLtke0lGl49Xtla7rO9Boh2nLsfr4u6wZK19yWsBDvL9JogHeCoK__HfeMcdpJGEhaCFyk2s3cwxcjEcmS/s320/kennedy+thinks+its+a+waste+of+time+and+he+aint+backin+down.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658240029987938" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa ends up confiscating the kid back to the little house, and going back to Stewart's to help him rehab. Graham Stewart has a tough time getting down with life at the little house. Too many enthusiastic little girls. He runs outside. BTW - I just love Ma's shawl. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgFzKYRyKGEJQOa6No2L-1WnJy_ifioc7t4FyjQne4lV_lBzIgwZ9sMQSm0eLtke0lGl49Xtla7rO9Boh2nLsfr4u6wZK19yWsBDvL9JogHeCoK__HfeMcdpJGEhaCFyk2s3cwxcjEcmS/s1600-h/kennedy+thinks+its+a+waste+of+time+and+he+aint+backin+down.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2OTyhpvmWsBrRuV8CTQjvobmHrZ68kaqfiynyNAe3yc6EfVMsgY1PiIHvY487tk7lVG_OJEa9shUgu5h0L2nWzDc7-X0wgA0eH-fxJyaGFkKZaoQzQCSRx0a0nGKZ-XNoWG3hR3l3o6r/s1600-h/could+i+crochet+it.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2OTyhpvmWsBrRuV8CTQjvobmHrZ68kaqfiynyNAe3yc6EfVMsgY1PiIHvY487tk7lVG_OJEa9shUgu5h0L2nWzDc7-X0wgA0eH-fxJyaGFkKZaoQzQCSRx0a0nGKZ-XNoWG3hR3l3o6r/s320/could+i+crochet+it.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658234923940706" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Ma tries to convince the kid to come inside and eat. Wouldn't his pa be upset if he didn't eat? Well, no. His pa is mostly blotto by supper time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2OTyhpvmWsBrRuV8CTQjvobmHrZ68kaqfiynyNAe3yc6EfVMsgY1PiIHvY487tk7lVG_OJEa9shUgu5h0L2nWzDc7-X0wgA0eH-fxJyaGFkKZaoQzQCSRx0a0nGKZ-XNoWG3hR3l3o6r/s1600-h/could+i+crochet+it.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZtH6YEzXvS0fbCdp9ZNFb5DzXEbLNZ4NH8lQpmM38MK2YQnkzswcj6_JBqX0fKwF48Hw6ponuBr5Ku_3pawA05LTOH4lrf-a95bQ5Toy0Y4M39vhOfKVndx37xW9l19HPkdOIGzS1Qth/s1600-h/not+buying+it.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZtH6YEzXvS0fbCdp9ZNFb5DzXEbLNZ4NH8lQpmM38MK2YQnkzswcj6_JBqX0fKwF48Hw6ponuBr5Ku_3pawA05LTOH4lrf-a95bQ5Toy0Y4M39vhOfKVndx37xW9l19HPkdOIGzS1Qth/s320/not+buying+it.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435658231528663954" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa asks Stewart to reveal his bottles. Apparently there's only 2 bottles in the whole house. Um, no. I know alcoholics. There's gotta be moonshine EVERY-WHERE.</div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1QL_mmqDlOG_YsvrEhTq-QmLeSho6eIR1Ncs0CgVdMBJk6j1e6IrT0ZgQWqRguRBmuNDnCAYzTgH5_ZlPGDDo6xBJSUJaLU0IHCvX1sOTlJ5DlsQBVxo_DTTbCfxU8l7iTj7vBoPpqnL/s1600-h/i+dont+believe+thats+all+your+bottles.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1QL_mmqDlOG_YsvrEhTq-QmLeSho6eIR1Ncs0CgVdMBJk6j1e6IrT0ZgQWqRguRBmuNDnCAYzTgH5_ZlPGDDo6xBJSUJaLU0IHCvX1sOTlJ5DlsQBVxo_DTTbCfxU8l7iTj7vBoPpqnL/s320/i+dont+believe+thats+all+your+bottles.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657878224469874" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After finding one more bottle in a secret wall compartment, Pa makes Stewart give 'em the old dump. Oh, he can't look! </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd8whBNw7Dg-B3FTpiRRLzonFeN1Grox7EXYKBXhkFAgffx2yvpVsxV77FDnp1yilROWGSDQbK0xQ9ugbKrAGGt1u1wjiDbHNQ72jDmvNLp6kuTbDJuqSwMRxIVoOi12CFFnB_FUU8al6/s1600-h/oh+i+cant+look.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd8whBNw7Dg-B3FTpiRRLzonFeN1Grox7EXYKBXhkFAgffx2yvpVsxV77FDnp1yilROWGSDQbK0xQ9ugbKrAGGt1u1wjiDbHNQ72jDmvNLp6kuTbDJuqSwMRxIVoOi12CFFnB_FUU8al6/s320/oh+i+cant+look.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657877528214066" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, it's either night or nap time. Stewart having a rough ol' time. He's shaking, sweating, and hallucinating bats. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96V-B3A9zNxRr0s1TtNXajrkae4v0UyHBIaJW41L9L4jCirRCAsLvsp9ohu5gulPFKp2D3-PZJynZoBRzyrZCKe5z-2ywXhXyRj3PGmTAhdkYxIohvvdIxqkT728ui97-3ILQnmdrUo87/s1600-h/hallucinating+bats.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96V-B3A9zNxRr0s1TtNXajrkae4v0UyHBIaJW41L9L4jCirRCAsLvsp9ohu5gulPFKp2D3-PZJynZoBRzyrZCKe5z-2ywXhXyRj3PGmTAhdkYxIohvvdIxqkT728ui97-3ILQnmdrUo87/s320/hallucinating+bats.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657876000734418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">He flips out and attacks Pa. The struggle is epic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He goes limp and Pa puts him back in bed. Suddenly, he freaks again and pa has to apply the sleeper hold. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FiPAbz8zezyfbwvicUBUAPyXRrTI2fl92pCOiIfgP4ha0ZY9hJ1W9TqJrpPk5gpr30pY2TnAPN-x5-P7sEhQT85wKIHVFC-bsrgzIa-__hhz6YZaknC2rIvZtulof2q0LgNbim_Ml2ye/s1600-h/the+struggle+is+epic.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FiPAbz8zezyfbwvicUBUAPyXRrTI2fl92pCOiIfgP4ha0ZY9hJ1W9TqJrpPk5gpr30pY2TnAPN-x5-P7sEhQT85wKIHVFC-bsrgzIa-__hhz6YZaknC2rIvZtulof2q0LgNbim_Ml2ye/s320/the+struggle+is+epic.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657574619610530" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Graham and Mary bond at the chicken coop. I'm really only interested in the bat hallucinations at this point. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpGNZERocIL2q4Sm3briOIOaNMr-s_PaBvaho0MQ2dVbpUBZP-k5E1T7w1erB3EdsW0Q2X0NTDfm_DgUTCkcIOIXVv6JyjC0FYvzK9xPz-uU3VC7WAGtjm3lGiP6gWPljvWZfYvsqeMfp/s1600-h/there+will+be+egg.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpGNZERocIL2q4Sm3briOIOaNMr-s_PaBvaho0MQ2dVbpUBZP-k5E1T7w1erB3EdsW0Q2X0NTDfm_DgUTCkcIOIXVv6JyjC0FYvzK9xPz-uU3VC7WAGtjm3lGiP6gWPljvWZfYvsqeMfp/s320/there+will+be+egg.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657568343316610" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Pa's put Stewart to work, in between the shakes. Water provides no satisfaction: you can barely taste it. If he works hard all day, maybe the bats will leave him alone at night. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, it comes out that Stewart's wife, Lucy, died in childbirth. Whenever he gets wasted (every day), he blames his son. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He sneaks out while Pa is sleeping & digs up his last bottle of whiskey. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr82hYff2PfHFrF_U4eESRAarsm3uCbWYOv6RERr54Tv83LFoTk_qsezms2bx7Ngz3KWR2R-ezwnwO-ccqitVySfjYS7FsNfUCDdPIkk0f8WdwBcKdIXcAvhAPz67KeNzs7aPYJD9n1K_p/s1600-h/one+last+precious+bottle.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr82hYff2PfHFrF_U4eESRAarsm3uCbWYOv6RERr54Tv83LFoTk_qsezms2bx7Ngz3KWR2R-ezwnwO-ccqitVySfjYS7FsNfUCDdPIkk0f8WdwBcKdIXcAvhAPz67KeNzs7aPYJD9n1K_p/s320/one+last+precious+bottle.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657355007630706" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, snap! Cured! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He admits to himself and to Charles Ingalls that he blamed his son for his wife's death. Now everything is cool. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF732myEl973wI_GOq99qcdw4Rf3eMicgF3X0_Jq9QZBY-pwS5xk2rIbUlpyStSr628dtuKwbll6-scGOY31X4pI2oulI2yPFSrcXCGRjDdEjKHBXYjeSkhookBApM1gq6KNmihI2NvjP7/s1600-h/oh+snap.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF732myEl973wI_GOq99qcdw4Rf3eMicgF3X0_Jq9QZBY-pwS5xk2rIbUlpyStSr628dtuKwbll6-scGOY31X4pI2oulI2yPFSrcXCGRjDdEjKHBXYjeSkhookBApM1gq6KNmihI2NvjP7/s320/oh+snap.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657349341508226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa can go home, and the possible first-ever rehab success story and his kid are reunited.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8S0zpGFD5KFkyxdLsBF1He3R2aHBkmBnys7BqG7mroqHP2C8CSEUR9CFvK8GNZhSbEdH5P5YFohgCB0Vtb7HNMCNVnZDLCFpcNdGxS50xbMnmvrtyI7_hvSJNFl6YY0W0fDDMJdbN6-R/s1600-h/all+good.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8S0zpGFD5KFkyxdLsBF1He3R2aHBkmBnys7BqG7mroqHP2C8CSEUR9CFvK8GNZhSbEdH5P5YFohgCB0Vtb7HNMCNVnZDLCFpcNdGxS50xbMnmvrtyI7_hvSJNFl6YY0W0fDDMJdbN6-R/s320/all+good.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435657337095277890" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Never to be seen again in Walnut Grove. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-13359285216283258752010-02-01T19:21:00.001-04:002010-02-01T19:27:19.853-04:00Circus Man<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezzIPPGNn8ZWkA6_PnjqVPUaWE8J6_y_-ouB55Je6oITyIh1yvBoJnLh-Hc75u6cASzGmwK-W0YluucSYJGUowq3VLTnXslHomlJdSHJIKg5QgYnrXOktYi00XdgaybAbGuJ_yn0pYGco/s1600-h/circus+man+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387352329857650" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezzIPPGNn8ZWkA6_PnjqVPUaWE8J6_y_-ouB55Je6oITyIh1yvBoJnLh-Hc75u6cASzGmwK-W0YluucSYJGUowq3VLTnXslHomlJdSHJIKg5QgYnrXOktYi00XdgaybAbGuJ_yn0pYGco/s320/circus+man+title.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">We open on a peaceful, sleeping little house. Suddenly, there's a loud noise! Some kind of prowler/possible prairie ripper is creeping outside! Pa runs outside shooting, only to be met by William O'Hara, a self-proclaimed circus man who was trying to be a good neighbour by saving the little house from bobcats. </div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdP6z4nU-z9n2UlSMAilGGM8oP1dJGiDULbMG139HAeenxBnzOB46Il4jL-dUKKGnaiqwnsoS64ColFHgkr-8NCxXCcx0DL4c9YsLmx-XIQojvHZ4V1MuyFr5WnW1jMx6K658LexA8ras/s1600-h/shots+fired.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387292229270338" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdP6z4nU-z9n2UlSMAilGGM8oP1dJGiDULbMG139HAeenxBnzOB46Il4jL-dUKKGnaiqwnsoS64ColFHgkr-8NCxXCcx0DL4c9YsLmx-XIQojvHZ4V1MuyFr5WnW1jMx6K658LexA8ras/s320/shots+fired.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujE_rEYifGRe-ZZIQVm75v7T78aV_eWLgZfVEHb-7dbmxbnJFwrn7844UDK-d4szEWOSrToF_kHHN2-iSTtg6tnN_Tl0YHnD69lKLIQZSKvoW815rmDgupNBwXjGc5RroScal161kDmEY/s1600-h/hot+action+pa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387228782800466" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujE_rEYifGRe-ZZIQVm75v7T78aV_eWLgZfVEHb-7dbmxbnJFwrn7844UDK-d4szEWOSrToF_kHHN2-iSTtg6tnN_Tl0YHnD69lKLIQZSKvoW815rmDgupNBwXjGc5RroScal161kDmEY/s320/hot+action+pa.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Neighbour? O'Hara, we know you're not from around here, so save the bullshiitake for someone who... oh, nevermind, Pa has invited him to stay. I guess my suspicions against this guy were totally unfounded. His bizarre wardrobe and crazy eyes make him a natural choice for someone you'd want to have around your family.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNBwxgBnEpxrBG96xrq8CQSm4U1z_CnII4rCRvaE6KA6KkXdGRB5mVPJrUkG22nsNVQeLXUKX3EorGCOQOxXZb_XR09AojHUwSgA9ro-5zktssriFkYKt-erFGajFNNCTGNSjq705eHXF/s1600-h/maximum+eyeball+lunacy+ohara.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387160396568098" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNBwxgBnEpxrBG96xrq8CQSm4U1z_CnII4rCRvaE6KA6KkXdGRB5mVPJrUkG22nsNVQeLXUKX3EorGCOQOxXZb_XR09AojHUwSgA9ro-5zktssriFkYKt-erFGajFNNCTGNSjq705eHXF/s320/maximum+eyeball+lunacy+ohara.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUEE5YUzfzxhV9N3JKJMnOrOoJRE9i9IUijA-VSlCoxh2vwMFn0zckDra5pB2DWGtUH10_bLF-6BONmctI8NSEBlNAdla7reIiMe6TxjDlh8Rm67rvY3lyfn4tF9IB6ya-3X-33vEBIzz/s1600-h/ohara+circus.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387107423542690" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUEE5YUzfzxhV9N3JKJMnOrOoJRE9i9IUijA-VSlCoxh2vwMFn0zckDra5pB2DWGtUH10_bLF-6BONmctI8NSEBlNAdla7reIiMe6TxjDlh8Rm67rvY3lyfn4tF9IB6ya-3X-33vEBIzz/s320/ohara+circus.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning, O'Hara stops Mary & Laura when they leave for school. Actually, he pops out from behind a clothesline he put up. He's got a talking bird, and an exotic congrilla, "masterrrrrrrr of the jungle!" Except it's freaking Bubbles. It's a chimp, you guys. Mary's got a good head on her - she's not buying this guy's fantastical stories. She's totally scornful. The girls leave for school, and O'Hara impresses Ma & Pa with some fancy sleight of hand tricks over at the chicken coop. Old guys: annoying people with lame tricks since 1872! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JpKor3gBR1xcgWXis6vNEAd-xlnG30Uf2fYV08njtP-C9pplKRgm5dxdWPrjealFPndWtWlGbqYtu7VWN61s5XBvO1cmqLarB5JRt14nyjcHYyIcWtHcSwuUUrjVhk7dQgZOni98TDkF/s1600-h/congrilla.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387047010607874" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JpKor3gBR1xcgWXis6vNEAd-xlnG30Uf2fYV08njtP-C9pplKRgm5dxdWPrjealFPndWtWlGbqYtu7VWN61s5XBvO1cmqLarB5JRt14nyjcHYyIcWtHcSwuUUrjVhk7dQgZOni98TDkF/s320/congrilla.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Later, at the mill, Hansen is complaining about a headache. Doc Baker thinks it's time for a check up. Hansen can't go for that, no can do. He's been taking pills and they don't work! He doesn't trust the doc's modern medicine. Uh oh, I smell a mystical circus man cure... or else Hansen's gonna get turned into a congrilla.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Back at the little house, O'Hara brings the drama, yelling: "Thief! Robber!" out loud into the darkness of night. Pa goes to investigate & finds no Plum Creek Strangler or anything, just O'Hara on the ground. The prowler "crrrrrrracked a couple of me rrrrrrrrrrrrribs". </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pa tapes up O'Hara's ribs inside, then for some reason sends Mary out in the dark to the crime scene to get some stuff from O'Hara's wagon. O'Hara starts brainwashing the children with his extreme accent hypnosis. He mixes a potion that's gonnna heal his phony broken ribs with one delicious sip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiCrmNxhBB6Vb6DasbJ_9zrKymo633L3azettVpzHHDPGm2werg6qECxf5uRIOwPPiSO2vjs0JEQF67Ta8wzK5QTeMI9gU9dfL9vhdlnAyWotKWTjVjeJdwi5UT3g2I-3wwrZOCz2KAfF/s1600-h/brainwashing+the+children.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344387001238699746" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiCrmNxhBB6Vb6DasbJ_9zrKymo633L3azettVpzHHDPGm2werg6qECxf5uRIOwPPiSO2vjs0JEQF67Ta8wzK5QTeMI9gU9dfL9vhdlnAyWotKWTjVjeJdwi5UT3g2I-3wwrZOCz2KAfF/s320/brainwashing+the+children.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; ">The next day, Hansen's at the Merc. These pills are not helping his headache! Is there a money back guarantee by any chance? Apparently the medicine is good for a whole whack of old fashioned ailments (I'm talking coated tongue, thin blood, and spots before the eyes), but not headaches. Lucky for Hansen, Mary & Laura are in the mercantile too, and start telling him about O'Hara's secret medicine elixir. He boots it to the congrilla wagon. Just seconds after using the potion, Hansen is cured. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Doc Baker is furious that Hansen won't submit to a full examination. Doc even tells off Charles about the situation. He cares so much about Hansen... it's a little weird. Plus, Doc's got O'Hara's number: he cured Hansen for free, this time. Next time, woo woo, Daddy needs a new pair of shoes. Pay. Up. Sucka. </div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qTfhvo6idfIVHZRng7EqnNZvw5qkIPla4Jj_wYEo7a3K0X_NWD1Z3Jm0e_NdKoS6UYY2lTMOA01ywiQ06Iqnp_8z4X6lbGfszv6qC-U4jDhyphenhyphenBQP4Zrl7duSCeZlez4dNEW3gorYoiZEV/s1600-h/doc+enraged.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386955173801298" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qTfhvo6idfIVHZRng7EqnNZvw5qkIPla4Jj_wYEo7a3K0X_NWD1Z3Jm0e_NdKoS6UYY2lTMOA01ywiQ06Iqnp_8z4X6lbGfszv6qC-U4jDhyphenhyphenBQP4Zrl7duSCeZlez4dNEW3gorYoiZEV/s320/doc+enraged.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">O'Hara has the stinkin' guts to go into the mercantile. Doesn't he know that his bogus remedy is taking business away from honest merchants? OMG, are you serious, Harriet? I might side with you on this one, but you torture Ma about the eggs EVERY SINGLE DAY. That's kinda sleazy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Harriet informs this circus drifter that his time in Walnut Grove is up - they don't care for scalliwags here. O'Hara picks up a fricking anvil offa the floor, presumably to bash Mrs. O... nope, just showing off. His imaginary ribs are broken, but look what he can do. No sham medication could give you that result! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Turns out Mrs. Oleson has some private pain that even Doc Baker can't fix. Why'm I saying "even"? Pretty much nothing gets cured on his watch. He watches ladies give birth & stalks Hansen... annnn' thassit. O'Hara agrees to give Mrs. Oleson some medicine to try, free of charge. </div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmqTaqaoeTBWHwKs9G9mvvzMwFl6DHcPzYpXli01v-p5ZFVUnKq2l88f4GDqHwQZeQmnQN7-HbaQKefOFEeM5w4TfjscUrDLtrx6qhjFokX2iludavDOLeesEAYbJULzTefzoThNQbzrE/s1600-h/the+vil.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386901643680834" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmqTaqaoeTBWHwKs9G9mvvzMwFl6DHcPzYpXli01v-p5ZFVUnKq2l88f4GDqHwQZeQmnQN7-HbaQKefOFEeM5w4TfjscUrDLtrx6qhjFokX2iludavDOLeesEAYbJULzTefzoThNQbzrE/s320/the+vil.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Doc Baker rides into Plum Creek like a bat outta hell. "A useless remedy is as dangerous as a loaded gun!" Appropriately, Pa tells him to calm the shit down. Harriet Oleson has a serious case of appendicitis, but won't have surgery because O'Hara's elixir is gonna fix her. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ma & Pa start to have second thoughts about hosting old Willy con Carny on their land.</div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusjc1bFwFUsSOSLbtdoxAgViQ2PCs0QMfnUxWJ7Ev4np22QjMkb_mUPOgKtd32MiOf2Wef65Hd-Oc_rot51KESZ0YOZfvs9qix82l2uvD-tuWXJO4QIIgPYveW6WZGDbtycfJTnp8h7OT/s1600-h/ma+and+pa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386593843192530" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusjc1bFwFUsSOSLbtdoxAgViQ2PCs0QMfnUxWJ7Ev4np22QjMkb_mUPOgKtd32MiOf2Wef65Hd-Oc_rot51KESZ0YOZfvs9qix82l2uvD-tuWXJO4QIIgPYveW6WZGDbtycfJTnp8h7OT/s320/ma+and+pa.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Doc Baker strong-arms O'Hara into convincing Harriet to get the operation. He visits Harriet on her soon-to-be-death bed, and tells her that only royalty get this type of surgery, so she should totally go for it. I heart manipulation. He does this really creepy wave on his way out the door. I thought he was bad with his hat ON. Ugh. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnVy-0N8DNhUQIijDRmHH-NRqXrhRiUSny-kLZ5JFwY02G0IG64WoS6wO_IjCHh6fJytewtkjI0gwpWk4MKjzmgj9-Sj4BoN0rCLetzjW7kJzY4NAsGhTa-xolC2HxWUYAWaED3k1xYLw/s1600-h/the+wave.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386594743345538" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnVy-0N8DNhUQIijDRmHH-NRqXrhRiUSny-kLZ5JFwY02G0IG64WoS6wO_IjCHh6fJytewtkjI0gwpWk4MKjzmgj9-Sj4BoN0rCLetzjW7kJzY4NAsGhTa-xolC2HxWUYAWaED3k1xYLw/s320/the+wave.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, Doc does the surgery. The entire township is gathered on the mercantile's porch, I guess to see if Harriet makes it. I can't imagine that they all care. There's probably just nothing better to do. Doc comes out looking totally haggard. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Time's REALLY up for O'Hara. He admits to Pa that the powder is blarney. Now he's gotta slink out of town under the cover of darkness.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnVy-0N8DNhUQIijDRmHH-NRqXrhRiUSny-kLZ5JFwY02G0IG64WoS6wO_IjCHh6fJytewtkjI0gwpWk4MKjzmgj9-Sj4BoN0rCLetzjW7kJzY4NAsGhTa-xolC2HxWUYAWaED3k1xYLw/s1600-h/the+wave.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dr_LALaphl_eTXTu0FkyI87ackrv0Kf_WyqzyfACfe41mHqIyH69vkl3IZTM32No6rZ3_p0zqnsPQzFLn-u622llwaAWHoRet4bFsquSPv6dJAnMqNSZQFWTBXPgJInrzGRB95WJLtcd/s1600-h/ohara+and+the+chimp.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386590215994690" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dr_LALaphl_eTXTu0FkyI87ackrv0Kf_WyqzyfACfe41mHqIyH69vkl3IZTM32No6rZ3_p0zqnsPQzFLn-u622llwaAWHoRet4bFsquSPv6dJAnMqNSZQFWTBXPgJInrzGRB95WJLtcd/s320/ohara+and+the+chimp.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning, Mary & Laura are disappointed to find him gone. It's the freakin' weekend & they wanted to learn some magic tricks! Well, get hip to the fact that the number one thing you gotta know about circus people is that they're unpredictable. Pa buys the girls' happiness with pennies for candy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Laura & Jack chill in front of the merc until a kitty agitates Jack. </div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-IT6vpy_0ldbQIS-8DHTAI38Gfx2BcPBNCL-e6HC4soWCB2cZ00K9fvkVKfQHzHo4MBPER_JGh4dI-Wdh2ILQOzD6gpwRTMAPGkrzbgV1pmxMWcLAnu4pJsK0DUwz52iYMajlJxGg5xL/s1600-h/kitty.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386589306554370" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-IT6vpy_0ldbQIS-8DHTAI38Gfx2BcPBNCL-e6HC4soWCB2cZ00K9fvkVKfQHzHo4MBPER_JGh4dI-Wdh2ILQOzD6gpwRTMAPGkrzbgV1pmxMWcLAnu4pJsK0DUwz52iYMajlJxGg5xL/s320/kitty.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">He runs in front of a wagon & is dramatically run over right before a commercial break! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1D5sI6apUC59fhzwnAfIV10zjvtBqc8AvOLJb_DN-2cjGNMmbs2H7gMB2mSGGZv8cPOjehNKgI8zimu-3QXiuf97RYE8gPQVaMqzoEhrACofdNrPs8QTYZEqKcOZA05rt0VC2AiurEdI/s1600-h/jack.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344386583483561058" style="width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1D5sI6apUC59fhzwnAfIV10zjvtBqc8AvOLJb_DN-2cjGNMmbs2H7gMB2mSGGZv8cPOjehNKgI8zimu-3QXiuf97RYE8gPQVaMqzoEhrACofdNrPs8QTYZEqKcOZA05rt0VC2AiurEdI/s320/jack.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Laura freaks. O'Hara's the only one who can fix Jack! Pa tries to break it to her that O'Hara was a big faker, but she won't believe it. Pa thinks maybe the kids could use a hard lesson & goes to find O'Hara. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They arrive back at the little house after dark. O'Hara gives Jack the potion. Pa wants him to come clean to Laura, but O'Hara wants to keep hope alive until Jack either dies or lives permanently. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the night goes on, Jack eventually stirs awake. Laura believed! If O'Hara stayed in Walnut Grove, there'd be no sick people or animals! They don't even need a doctor. Baker's been rendered obsolete! Pa gives O'Hara a major stink eye while Laura spouts off. He finally tells the g.d. truth that nothing about him is real, not even his name or the way he talks. Oh, great. I've been sitting through this accent for 43 minutes & it was completely unnecessary?! Boo!!!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">O'Hara finally leaves in what shoulda been disgrace, but Pa invites him to come back sometime. Spoiler: doesn't happen. All together now: "And he was never seen again!"</div><br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-44514743194298208502009-05-20T21:45:00.000-03:002009-05-26T22:14:53.182-03:00Plague<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6t8PZpV1HlkfNdFon3X3zbfABNqZUfpF21upL8i_8hW58fs6dVg3rYvA0B4E_y5EXa8kARSkCamWhmhjdsuDiC58J-8fyAIEjdUhdW1h5kMUbeMeqsbcqYU2el6k6W4cOmjr7g04ETLs/s1600-h/plague+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488548039122306" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6t8PZpV1HlkfNdFon3X3zbfABNqZUfpF21upL8i_8hW58fs6dVg3rYvA0B4E_y5EXa8kARSkCamWhmhjdsuDiC58J-8fyAIEjdUhdW1h5kMUbeMeqsbcqYU2el6k6W4cOmjr7g04ETLs/s320/plague+title.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Seriously, look at the red logo on those sacks of cornmeal and tell me it doesn't look like a warning of danger. It looks corrosive or something. A rat comes out of the pile and starts climbing over everything & the music even changes to let you know that rats in your cornmeal isn't a good thing.<br /><br />The deal is that Mr. Peterson, a local nobody, is selling the stuff for cheap and totally undercutting Hansen's price. Some townie goes by complaining that he can't afford Hansen's cornmeal & buys up a shitload of Peterson's.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2JtSGXSO2hrFSTLh4wWfjurarhzsRdDPZ3Xy9bvPycJLK6-EPoId9oookPLpuxa3e3o8XfgQAO8EF2KlJBiPza4ka3V9CXaYx1UcmRumdYk-EubGDKMkMJWfr5j1fQfz-CdrEoxKTaqB/s1600-h/hansen.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488545645799266" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2JtSGXSO2hrFSTLh4wWfjurarhzsRdDPZ3Xy9bvPycJLK6-EPoId9oookPLpuxa3e3o8XfgQAO8EF2KlJBiPza4ka3V9CXaYx1UcmRumdYk-EubGDKMkMJWfr5j1fQfz-CdrEoxKTaqB/s320/hansen.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />Hansen is pretty much outraged when he sees people going with wagonloads of markdown meal. Edwards is a sleaze and has no loyalty to his employer - he's buying the cheap stuff too.<br /><br />Later, the Boulton family sits down to dinner with TWO loaves of bread made from cheapskate cornmeal. The patriarch of this fine family is - of course - the townie from 2 paragraphs ago. He prays for the kind soul of Mr. Peterson. What a fine and excellent man he is to provide such affordable death, uh, I mean, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">cornmeal </span>to this family.<br /><br />Elsewhere in Walnut Grove, the Ingalls family sits down to some kind of non-deadly meal. Laura can't chew her meat because of a toothache. Pa's going to take her to see Doc Baker in the morning. & FYI, guys: "Sweets are the worst thing in the world for your teeth."<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXfcVDkwtI-4hktjlznEV4HnEVUxwY0AxR8P8jaS6Qzu0F1nG8A-EeFWFM-61OgFQu-zLdp3_wO6F6RHA3RPx4kpG85DgWf1dH1jzy78qeJJD6OdfouY4XgAI3mRMsDU7xfBEf4d9LKWW/s1600-h/family+dinner.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488424292701506" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXfcVDkwtI-4hktjlznEV4HnEVUxwY0AxR8P8jaS6Qzu0F1nG8A-EeFWFM-61OgFQu-zLdp3_wO6F6RHA3RPx4kpG85DgWf1dH1jzy78qeJJD6OdfouY4XgAI3mRMsDU7xfBEf4d9LKWW/s320/family+dinner.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>But you know what? Nellie & Willie are always eating sweets and their teeth are fine! One time Willie bit Mary, so she knows. Pa is furious and tells Mary to "CUFF HIM!!" For real, take Willie's effing head off if he tries it again. Even Ma gets in on it with a: "Yeah, cuff him good, Mary." Anyone want to finish this for me?... Mary says "I already did" and the whole family laughs their asses off. Holy crap, the goofy shit that goes down at the Ingalls residence. Good thing they balanced advocating schoolyard violence with one line about tooth decay. </div><br /><div></div><div>So, Doc decides he's gonna have to pull the offending tooth outta Laura's mouth - but wait! Mr. Boulton bursts into the office! His boy is sick! Come quick! </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCP6LhmyGU0DwPDJrZE8qpRElXIGIFdNxlXmVLRx7sVJ4jUBzLBm8iQcyr4YlaPTQE4nLBCH8YkzQvlRrtPWo1suZ7Qdq8RtC_zMtev7w3ERUNKu7azVvOxSpP3_Wgll3BK68ShbGUnl/s1600-h/at+doc"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488423649404178" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCP6LhmyGU0DwPDJrZE8qpRElXIGIFdNxlXmVLRx7sVJ4jUBzLBm8iQcyr4YlaPTQE4nLBCH8YkzQvlRrtPWo1suZ7Qdq8RtC_zMtev7w3ERUNKu7azVvOxSpP3_Wgll3BK68ShbGUnl/s320/at+doc%27s.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">At Boulton's place, his son Paul is burning up with fever. Doc sends the father to get ice and the mother to get rags. Sorry, Doc. Looks like you're going to have to get your own rags, because Mrs. Boulton is on her raggedy, sweaty deathbed, collapsin' in the hallway. </p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx-DsfOy1C_Nq5v8_1x_6SM6nEtsnhFJB5-US_IsiITsNjoyW0VF-XrS3pq4xXBkae7oi2bJiouagCdVnviJJQi9_1-8bw4oOl9X6YudBlXzrJJR7oPAhNntnAhl9yByUwl9U_J3PYW_J/s1600-h/sylvie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488418645417298" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxx-DsfOy1C_Nq5v8_1x_6SM6nEtsnhFJB5-US_IsiITsNjoyW0VF-XrS3pq4xXBkae7oi2bJiouagCdVnviJJQi9_1-8bw4oOl9X6YudBlXzrJJR7oPAhNntnAhl9yByUwl9U_J3PYW_J/s320/sylvie.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />And in case you haven't been paying attention, there's a close up of little bugs/fleas crawling in the dangerous-looking bag of cornmeal. No pic of that because, seriously, I don't ever want to see it again.<br /><br />Doc makes ice caskets for young Paul and his mother. It's too late for Mrs. Boulton. She dies almost instantly. Q: How much extra freaking cornmeal did she munch down while baking the bread? A: Waaaayy too much.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6-Fea7oAAJrwRv0BboROnQn2k-p65BrDlB8yt4Yw9bqy6RwYvIiUbbCDD1dFzhsOeZu7tipUYxaURSLoIbvj80lfazJLfMSTGdhGs-0kQrrfxADtk4WKUQUTj5OSTWaXoFC2OInqNwBB/s1600-h/ice.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488414085350818" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6-Fea7oAAJrwRv0BboROnQn2k-p65BrDlB8yt4Yw9bqy6RwYvIiUbbCDD1dFzhsOeZu7tipUYxaURSLoIbvj80lfazJLfMSTGdhGs-0kQrrfxADtk4WKUQUTj5OSTWaXoFC2OInqNwBB/s320/ice.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>A short time later, church is in session. Alden delivers his final thoughts. Take care of yourselves and each other. Or something like that. Doc Baker interrupts the sermon to tell everyone to quarantine themselves at home until he can find the source of the illness affecting the Boulton family. He thinks it could be typhus. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>But no stinkin' quarantine is gonna cage Charles Ingalls. He goes hunting, which is really an excuse for him to spot something deviant going on in the distance. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi8S9aknCOThTAc6whyj6WQka35k6nkUZm17zIqEo714Hu7U5O0qxgnMGqb9eA6E0u-48Nz2MszszLH5qVkM-DyuL3EowV6quY5fG1JwiU-N1CvdR6co6oD8pPD8aplsOasrfsD8-PL3t/s1600-h/pa+spots+something.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488400705865010" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi8S9aknCOThTAc6whyj6WQka35k6nkUZm17zIqEo714Hu7U5O0qxgnMGqb9eA6E0u-48Nz2MszszLH5qVkM-DyuL3EowV6quY5fG1JwiU-N1CvdR6co6oD8pPD8aplsOasrfsD8-PL3t/s320/pa+spots+something.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>It's a wagon! Driving itself! The driver is slumped unconscious with disease. It's Carl Harper. You know, Carl Harper! Anyway, his wife Alice is sick and apparently so is he. After Pa takes them to Doc Baker's, the Doc confirms that it is typhus. The PLAGUE!!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Pa's been exposed and can never go home again. He yells to Ma that he's going to help in town for a few days, as long as he doesn't die first.</div><div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG458tAMlal5x2a3OcKbHpvDPfQT2nT7uEQNe_OsJ9mn5c5NZxOsYJwrYHjCadWlfd6WrKWRmWeq0gbHLhVO-JAntqtBvjmsk0NC-H2bH4ZL_QYVSnCs4EPv5nlKIiLKrI0CAnJbhxrn9B/s1600-h/telling+ma.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488228581916786" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG458tAMlal5x2a3OcKbHpvDPfQT2nT7uEQNe_OsJ9mn5c5NZxOsYJwrYHjCadWlfd6WrKWRmWeq0gbHLhVO-JAntqtBvjmsk0NC-H2bH4ZL_QYVSnCs4EPv5nlKIiLKrI0CAnJbhxrn9B/s320/telling+ma.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>While looking for sick people to take to the hospital(/church/school), Pa stops at Boulton's to bring the son to town. Mr. Boulton is delusional with grief, cradling his son's body while pretending that he kept him home from school because it was a nice day. I guess the writers had to save deranged humming of musicbox lullabies while clutching the body of a dead/charred offspring for later. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBI7PLgNWJVXszga6Pa_tNPDxL8gkZ8cY4cxX15TRyqi1piD0pCx6ajP4hVwALqci_gTL97AVKjqYILlAQKIZ5C_194OZ84lFsMSAWQKdpuw5hLOhIQPaqjQb0Q5J5b3uvcajNURU4Ezy/s1600-h/pa+finds+boulton.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488116433434754" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBI7PLgNWJVXszga6Pa_tNPDxL8gkZ8cY4cxX15TRyqi1piD0pCx6ajP4hVwALqci_gTL97AVKjqYILlAQKIZ5C_194OZ84lFsMSAWQKdpuw5hLOhIQPaqjQb0Q5J5b3uvcajNURU4Ezy/s320/pa+finds+boulton.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>When Pa arrives back at in town, he sees that Edwards is among the ill. Nooooo!! Pa talks with an ill young girl who is not afraid to die. This actress apparently is Leslie Landon, daughter of Michael Landon. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kISjJjrUIA46W_tLdy7IjpMJ-mFRiN_uiCWsI1AcbSPrJcMEJ_waPc0c7stP-R-o-_MwR7pd7kEIqnghnQOxCWNsW1CEN0vdD_rMskL_xI48OOOKQ7S9TTdWgtVhlISmlQpIeRYQ2pY5/s1600-h/leslie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337488110005651394" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kISjJjrUIA46W_tLdy7IjpMJ-mFRiN_uiCWsI1AcbSPrJcMEJ_waPc0c7stP-R-o-_MwR7pd7kEIqnghnQOxCWNsW1CEN0vdD_rMskL_xI48OOOKQ7S9TTdWgtVhlISmlQpIeRYQ2pY5/s320/leslie.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>Doc Baker is obsessed with finding the source of the typhus. No way should it be spreading like this if everyone's staying at their own farms. Pa has a lightbulb moment! It's the cornmeal. Even Edwards is sick. He's been eating that stuff like a fiend. Oh, man, Pa's gonna go fisticuff Peterson SO HARD.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>When there's no answer at the door, Pa breaks into Peterson's. The guy's laying unconscious. Yeah, I bet he's just trying to look pathetic to avoid punishment. Downstairs in the shop area, they find a million rats chillin' on the unsold corn. I'm gonna die. I hate rats. I think Pa & Doc take Peterson out of the building before Doc says, disgustedly, "Burn this place to the ground." </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtGvqJl3gKomvuwtj7_isrEKNsKHpz873LejZKnaWH9sG4fb_Czgb5sd9pGUx04eYjCDLztJyTDn72VFSSOpRrLLBOpJ8oev-wsMXknIpoFDOfdBd28ZrjN-IZT36Iw1fhBuxRDspi5Ya/s1600-h/ratssssss.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338069435899558018" style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtGvqJl3gKomvuwtj7_isrEKNsKHpz873LejZKnaWH9sG4fb_Czgb5sd9pGUx04eYjCDLztJyTDn72VFSSOpRrLLBOpJ8oev-wsMXknIpoFDOfdBd28ZrjN-IZT36Iw1fhBuxRDspi5Ya/s320/ratssssss.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-79670222472083802032009-05-16T18:18:00.002-03:002009-05-17T10:51:11.317-03:00Doctor's Lady<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tdF3xHuwL7rtENfuXsZNbxlXj12VX2DZHdCaURq-ROZohhJbpa9gvczvr_q7pRI15-53NxfnQPjiK3d3z3ckV6WuFi71_hsL9SCpGiBbbNTfxzsNtM0qvE6HnfgmgsshnZraikU0kXDw/s1600-h/doctor"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506620872793154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tdF3xHuwL7rtENfuXsZNbxlXj12VX2DZHdCaURq-ROZohhJbpa9gvczvr_q7pRI15-53NxfnQPjiK3d3z3ckV6WuFi71_hsL9SCpGiBbbNTfxzsNtM0qvE6HnfgmgsshnZraikU0kXDw/s320/doctor's+lady+title.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Doc Baker and Lars Hansen are playing some kind of probably immoral card game in the doc's office (spoiler: it's pinochle) when the stage arrives. Hansen says that the stage is late. Doc counters that the stage is early. Jeez, why are these guys even friends? Well, I guess it's this or else being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BFF</span> with some knob like Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ingalls</span>. You'd have to be a big fan of the fiddle and meddling to wanna go down that path.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU38ML4bLj6zM_ciR-QgkkYMq_yTgq3wictgtjNi7JzQAEWsiqF862ZXsEqL3bxWREQRATHuHK-VF97vl4d0CCTvdX6ZLcSEyTg-VqrW-csYnt5orsFOTg8lNMNKj2N3811miBUcMfA7y/s1600-h/stage.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506621289337202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU38ML4bLj6zM_ciR-QgkkYMq_yTgq3wictgtjNi7JzQAEWsiqF862ZXsEqL3bxWREQRATHuHK-VF97vl4d0CCTvdX6ZLcSEyTg-VqrW-csYnt5orsFOTg8lNMNKj2N3811miBUcMfA7y/s320/stage.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The stage delivers Kate Thorvald, teenage-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ish</span> niece to Harriet & Nels <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oleson</span>. She promptly falls out of the stage and requires medical care from Doc Baker. TV has had a long tradition of hunky medical doctors, from George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Clooney</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McDreamy</span>, and apparently it all started with Doc Baker sexing it up on the prairie.<br /><br />Pa was working at the mill when Kate fell, so naturally he had to be the one to carry her into Doc Baker's office. Like, none of the other 25 tools who come to gawk at the stage every week would be able to do anything with Hero Township's finest on the scene.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBlkNeIWHQwPFnk5njdZFJwxqlff5uoHx3RNiFHsGJFZG3V_vQXxMFsexp9eYu1tL4SZQ84HtiYKMMYVdDsWxXAuF9h0U193i3aVmLNHLZfDcEy7K4waZYYqR33MpPYbkRgQFSxZCa2i_/s1600-h/doc+and+kate.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506615881742706" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBlkNeIWHQwPFnk5njdZFJwxqlff5uoHx3RNiFHsGJFZG3V_vQXxMFsexp9eYu1tL4SZQ84HtiYKMMYVdDsWxXAuF9h0U193i3aVmLNHLZfDcEy7K4waZYYqR33MpPYbkRgQFSxZCa2i_/s320/doc+and+kate.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>So, Kate has a dislocated thumb. Whatever. Look at the eye contact between these two. <em>Feel</em> the attraction!<br /><br />Kate is smitten. She interrogates her uncle Nels about why such a good doctor would stay in such a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">shithole</span> like Walnut Grove. I think Kate was from Chicago, so I guess she's allowed to hold such strong opinions.<br /><br />The next day, she goes for a horseback ride. Spotting Doc Baker at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ingalls</span> place, she smacks the horse to send it running away, then runs down to the little house with a lie about being thrown.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAyz4wgrj6PNdBAEL6KYkroiA83I45Vrm_ZzGMackKBO-b4CAbD0X8h1lvDFf-gASwjoRuAEX3zWUqpP6Cjp2Ny5bK1VgD1SCq9YOSbyoazE020BXabdaRZvl1R5Dxm5IMU4uIEZGk_DN/s1600-h/spying.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506617923870770" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAyz4wgrj6PNdBAEL6KYkroiA83I45Vrm_ZzGMackKBO-b4CAbD0X8h1lvDFf-gASwjoRuAEX3zWUqpP6Cjp2Ny5bK1VgD1SCq9YOSbyoazE020BXabdaRZvl1R5Dxm5IMU4uIEZGk_DN/s320/spying.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>She's all devious, like: "Oh, Doc Baker, fancy seeing you here, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hahaha</span>!" And just look at the way these two are eyeballing each other.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNLCVhqtko90ro0cmJXrnUrU68zET96CTirdWdv3zMw5MrEEKuB1v8iVWowmDSBXqk3iwgji6E5SnybhnGXZogNv4Jmx6hvKVOKHTaLUUfnuOK7wnEE4UeEfyLX2Zz67H2VohJXmBlWCV/s1600-h/kate.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506356450610994" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNLCVhqtko90ro0cmJXrnUrU68zET96CTirdWdv3zMw5MrEEKuB1v8iVWowmDSBXqk3iwgji6E5SnybhnGXZogNv4Jmx6hvKVOKHTaLUUfnuOK7wnEE4UeEfyLX2Zz67H2VohJXmBlWCV/s320/kate.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREjFnOkFae5vN9VFF7OqkVhYFkDVLDmWXv-xxWsmEUTm61Wt3EQjVy6YICm_8lCW3UhVCK05K2b-PwnlwAa1C2JT2UkvIqXtf-k_AwPYGmkNl_JOoiQsek7fNbSfMdGb2NVtGUCfzQGd-/s1600-h/doc.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506354820381762" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREjFnOkFae5vN9VFF7OqkVhYFkDVLDmWXv-xxWsmEUTm61Wt3EQjVy6YICm_8lCW3UhVCK05K2b-PwnlwAa1C2JT2UkvIqXtf-k_AwPYGmkNl_JOoiQsek7fNbSfMdGb2NVtGUCfzQGd-/s320/doc.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Doc Baker, or maybe I should say Hiram, because that's what Kate's calling him now, drops her off at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Oleson's</span>. Kate asks if he would like to take her for a drive tomorrow. Harriet comes outside and is a stunned witness to the flirtation. Doc & Kate make plans for the next day, and Doc celebrates with a twirling maneuver after Kate goes inside.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCu6Bm52IeD0UEqWr_t1-XZQ_FE_px46hY5T57xzY9sxbzz6u_cCjlCrSJRyHXMF4FyiPTacEk4c0u4mtZRR2TeCPcib6QBM-9BnUDPz7Qx7Fw_wkeohgRXJvUbY9ENl3aub04FX8_TUj/s1600-h/doc+dance.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506349639909090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCu6Bm52IeD0UEqWr_t1-XZQ_FE_px46hY5T57xzY9sxbzz6u_cCjlCrSJRyHXMF4FyiPTacEk4c0u4mtZRR2TeCPcib6QBM-9BnUDPz7Qx7Fw_wkeohgRXJvUbY9ENl3aub04FX8_TUj/s320/doc+dance.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The next day, the Doc and Kate enjoy a picnic, and a tender moment.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4vWssza4gr-R65iHK1vX31vYlJRQnejEl0Ro5IAZNswGpYgylN2bNSNlI9U9pX3w7kGu0Y7_utYEv00zSw4MJUorzfZzS67Sf_Ab6x_m-l5e_qmDQymm3Tyxv9iEUVWkTvWFNPkazSIo/s1600-h/tender+moment.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506351914067986" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4vWssza4gr-R65iHK1vX31vYlJRQnejEl0Ro5IAZNswGpYgylN2bNSNlI9U9pX3w7kGu0Y7_utYEv00zSw4MJUorzfZzS67Sf_Ab6x_m-l5e_qmDQymm3Tyxv9iEUVWkTvWFNPkazSIo/s320/tender+moment.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>When he leaves her at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Oleson's</span>, she thanks him for a lovely time. Doc says something completely ridiculous like, "I don't know what to say. I enjoyed it, but that sounds lame." If, like me, you're wondering 'Could that possibly really be what he said?', yeah, it is. What is Doc Baker's history and experience with courting, anyway?<br /><br />In the house, Harriet confronts Kate. Is Doc Baker falling in love with her? He's old! And a freaking veterinarian! And HE HAS NOTHING! NOTHING!!!<br /><br />Later, at the mill, Hansen complains to Charles that Doc Baker never has time for him anymore since that young girl came to town. Hell, Hansen's only 5 years older than Doc Baker and you don't see him trying to hook up with... well, anyone.<br /><br />I guess Doc Baker sensed that Hansen was feeling jealous, so he invited him over for more pinochle. Doc's mind is obviously elsewhere and he keeps making mistakes. Doc, dude, you're gonna have to get your shit together if you wanna play cards with Lars "Shark" Hansen.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN6fwwmWBIMKnCY9X1OD271u7EOjxkFjMid8SjCri8g7t4c-m7N2pu6evdqYsMIyKoDdSVvtxe5zl1NW4qjczIK5oDhMLeNQOI8Nh7lsZAMsoE3_cCG0Pe496Q3vA0Km2g6eb6_77peBt/s1600-h/cards.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506072080163586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN6fwwmWBIMKnCY9X1OD271u7EOjxkFjMid8SjCri8g7t4c-m7N2pu6evdqYsMIyKoDdSVvtxe5zl1NW4qjczIK5oDhMLeNQOI8Nh7lsZAMsoE3_cCG0Pe496Q3vA0Km2g6eb6_77peBt/s320/cards.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Hansen figures it's a waste of time to continue the game, so he starts in with the "Kate Is A Child, And You're Old" tactic. Doc Baker's already been thinking about if they got married and had kids, how messed up that would be. But he doesn't care. He feels alive for the first time. </p><p align="left">Kate accompanies the Doc on his rounds, which for some reason includes stopping at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ingalls</span> place to give candy to the children. Laura asks if they are going to get married.</p><p align="left">After they drive off, Kate repeats Laura's question. Doc starts off saying what we're all thinking: He's too old. But he loves her. Doc's probable first kiss is interrupted by some townie yahoo yelling about an emergency. </p><p align="left">As Doc's carriage rips toward the scene, he yells a proposal to Kate. </p><p align="left">Later, Doc checks the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">mercantile's</span> jewellery selection, but leaves with nothing. </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIahONhf_LKXFxAJu6AOBVaQa-J0WWjArTU4ZBes6M1hfwm8mLBuuY8panKSA4Gekk3ix9JvFRt-Ta9e2Pdhyp6ioLvb0QSEX88ZtitsxXkNoSfgzKsNJyF8V6ICoXF_e_gsph1OqRz94/s1600-h/chains.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336506072917884418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIahONhf_LKXFxAJu6AOBVaQa-J0WWjArTU4ZBes6M1hfwm8mLBuuY8panKSA4Gekk3ix9JvFRt-Ta9e2Pdhyp6ioLvb0QSEX88ZtitsxXkNoSfgzKsNJyF8V6ICoXF_e_gsph1OqRz94/s320/chains.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>At home, Doc Baker checks out some old watch chains he's got lying around, and cuts one into a ring size length. That night at a fancy party at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Oleson's</span>, Doc Baker proposes officially to Kate and gives her a ring made from his father's watch chain.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqWMXhQRysjLN_TPTqZZ3zEMYlHg3IfpJ7BeSgpzzXO6AKMwTMMHGKVQM0dTFRypSW0IpQAN_w3O5JXI2gTmkCp0iFhJQRLEClsVqpiIvEvat-MdcjmI-Inz5fqlkD9eM9vZS9Pulkpb1/s1600-h/announcement.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336505927472697986" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqWMXhQRysjLN_TPTqZZ3zEMYlHg3IfpJ7BeSgpzzXO6AKMwTMMHGKVQM0dTFRypSW0IpQAN_w3O5JXI2gTmkCp0iFhJQRLEClsVqpiIvEvat-MdcjmI-Inz5fqlkD9eM9vZS9Pulkpb1/s320/announcement.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Everyone is happy for the couple. Except Harriet and Nels.<br /><br />Ma and Pa discuss it in bed. Ma is concerned about the age difference. Pa thinks it's cool if they're cool. But his daughters best not get any ideas about courting with older men, which I think we already knew.<br /><br />Kate & Doc accept an invitation to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ingalls</span> for dinner. Kate plays baseball with Mary and Laura while Pa takes the Doc fishing. Doc Baker is troubled by Kate running around like a kid. He goes home and looks at his old face in the mirror'<br /><br />The next day, he is called to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Olafsen's</span> for a baby delivery. Kate comes along to help. Afterwards, he realizes that not only did he deliver the baby, but also the parents. Holy Hell, he's freaking ancient. This shit has to stop.<br /><br />He breaks up with Kate, and she leaves town - never to be seen again.<br /><br />Laura narrates that Doc Baker was depressed for a month, and then entirely back to accepting his celibate lifestyle.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-34914422414363543492009-03-08T16:02:00.002-03:002009-03-08T16:18:22.161-03:00Family Quarrel<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDxDM53LFNfW_TIwROtt3Ro-uLp1xS2_5Px4OdW-S38StO1Pqmu2t_JwZzaYGug49GAMLP_LkRJr7CbzAfxl3Xb-KXgmI1CPlqkjCw0rb9DMqHvyNobZrEcGBQ8ucGBXbS21XEBC_TEjW/s1600-h/family+quarrel+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310875191685934866" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDxDM53LFNfW_TIwROtt3Ro-uLp1xS2_5Px4OdW-S38StO1Pqmu2t_JwZzaYGug49GAMLP_LkRJr7CbzAfxl3Xb-KXgmI1CPlqkjCw0rb9DMqHvyNobZrEcGBQ8ucGBXbS21XEBC_TEjW/s320/family+quarrel+title.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Nels is outside the mercantile, palling around with an enormous dog.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRmq_9G5wczuA6acsGBRZpjzagEtnC-KNXpV1ARk3a-NVka5-uvQr8qhfxGJ2Hzj1Nu0vYb4F1-y2PkQcOxC3ejXth4pxZe5rkhhwZWOJjA_e2OMlWCq9gYEzCu4tUpY1LxDe13EQ8e2b/s1600-h/enormous+dog.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310875142718213282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRmq_9G5wczuA6acsGBRZpjzagEtnC-KNXpV1ARk3a-NVka5-uvQr8qhfxGJ2Hzj1Nu0vYb4F1-y2PkQcOxC3ejXth4pxZe5rkhhwZWOJjA_e2OMlWCq9gYEzCu4tUpY1LxDe13EQ8e2b/s320/enormous+dog.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">His first mistake is going inside, where Harriet is complaining about the new hunting dog, and the mess Nels left, and his stinking fishing gear. Jeez - anything <em>else</em>? She continues griping in the store room, while Nels uses his moment of solitude to throw back a little booze.<br /><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhjG2FR3vJ_NtsXjPs06vaaTXcrUB_6TvdzZN9LqtCfx8eNBFetqmESiC1x1dEmEhq4iSyEpcqhnIG9uVF-K_u6TVopF5M9I8SnTsqaEPHKHKabZyuczTPhMincuW12jWpVL2-kVXeVGw/s1600-h/nels+boozin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310875068969275698" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhjG2FR3vJ_NtsXjPs06vaaTXcrUB_6TvdzZN9LqtCfx8eNBFetqmESiC1x1dEmEhq4iSyEpcqhnIG9uVF-K_u6TVopF5M9I8SnTsqaEPHKHKabZyuczTPhMincuW12jWpVL2-kVXeVGw/s320/nels+boozin.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">But Harriet's onto him and his sly cough syrup drinking. It's demon rum. Yeah, and it's about to turn Nels into a demon. Stay tuned! Ma Ingalls comes in to sell eggs. OMG, always with the drama surrounding the egg sale.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Harriet says the eggs aren't as good and won't fetch top rate. Nels says that the eggs are OK. But it doesn't end there. Harriet wants to be left to judge the eggs. <br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6sNk9x2YfqTF5ABJtUcoccO-VjH5EkorOPp2uppZeCnEdUMiX_31feqRAx4iY1T_4-Jb_yeqcfuLM5NDlZvVMSnRIOyeqaGMwxeze2hZAWWwQ4xsBs4tP-hWquPAG__uT4UPbPr3L6X7/s1600-h/more+threats.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310875011934021570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6sNk9x2YfqTF5ABJtUcoccO-VjH5EkorOPp2uppZeCnEdUMiX_31feqRAx4iY1T_4-Jb_yeqcfuLM5NDlZvVMSnRIOyeqaGMwxeze2hZAWWwQ4xsBs4tP-hWquPAG__uT4UPbPr3L6X7/s320/more+threats.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Nels: "<em>Judge? You're not the judge of anything. You want to know what you are? I'm going to tell you what you are. You are a mean, nasty-tempered woman. It would be better off for this whole town if you were locked up in a cage and fed with a stick. You have made life miserable for-</em> "<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOZt3WYUVCHU2IYHN7_sfiOrfQu09NBT0CLnURrkpb4BJN16nGn23QvZ8rAy1K4Q3MLQrhX7EiddiZYx1box4uMfFo2t-9eHF2qChqFJVUcnd_SENY4_-d_aLyHAcnd6Yb41KMTpBPwtq/s1600-h/demon+nels.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874940241542626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOZt3WYUVCHU2IYHN7_sfiOrfQu09NBT0CLnURrkpb4BJN16nGn23QvZ8rAy1K4Q3MLQrhX7EiddiZYx1box4uMfFo2t-9eHF2qChqFJVUcnd_SENY4_-d_aLyHAcnd6Yb41KMTpBPwtq/s320/demon+nels.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="left">Harriet finally interrupts. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym1X3J9L1ytP7Ft0yazNVHpgWSBvmpWI8K8tqzkgMJyLwdvEkaOD-Vhyphenhyphen2BbgXK4SfSh2kojmyvwSZxREikf4dFPak8c2Di44jW2Z9vcGmZMVD8BqzFlBpZ18QRnT7-j3KA6FYXiUMmq8g/s1600-h/eggy+nels.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874874970842610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym1X3J9L1ytP7Ft0yazNVHpgWSBvmpWI8K8tqzkgMJyLwdvEkaOD-Vhyphenhyphen2BbgXK4SfSh2kojmyvwSZxREikf4dFPak8c2Di44jW2Z9vcGmZMVD8BqzFlBpZ18QRnT7-j3KA6FYXiUMmq8g/s320/eggy+nels.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left">Dude, how else did you think this was gonna end?<br /><br /></div><div align="left">And Ma is still standing right there! Awk-ward! Nels pays her for the eggs, and she leaves .<br /><br /></div><div align="left">Back at the little house, Ma describes the whole terrible scene to Pa. Pa loves it and is pretty much dying doing the weeze laugh.</div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Later on at the Oleson's, Nels and Harriet are 12 feet away from each other trying desperately to ignore the other. Nels decides to make peace, but bungles it by saying that everything he said was true, just not very nice, and that Harriet loves nagging. Loves it!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B1K7wrTZEPKIADDyaPs5VyoNqVYztREn_vG89Ztb5ArozSdovhmFo6MHYEZBN4Tzoyt_5-S1C5GzdgCGiYb3D-qPGMUWkwKskr51njLJpMK_94Zh5xXbW3HSZ7cARDIZBPNdUbNfLQW4/s1600-h/reconciliation.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874799592470978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B1K7wrTZEPKIADDyaPs5VyoNqVYztREn_vG89Ztb5ArozSdovhmFo6MHYEZBN4Tzoyt_5-S1C5GzdgCGiYb3D-qPGMUWkwKskr51njLJpMK_94Zh5xXbW3HSZ7cARDIZBPNdUbNfLQW4/s320/reconciliation.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Harriet: <em>"You are a cheap excuse for a man. You are a lazy and cowardly and snivelling stubborn jackass!" </em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />Yow! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br />That night Ma's guilt over inadvertently causing the Oleson's quarrel goes waaayyy outta control. She wants to invite Nellie and Willie over for a few days. It's winter. Are ya gonna make them sleep in the hayloft, like you do your other guests? And seriously, Nellie and Willie? You don't want them around. Trust me.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">The next morning, Mary and Laura (in my favourite hats!!) spot Nels leaving the mercantile with his dog and all of his worldly possessions, and renting a room at the post office/hotel.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-wu97byRSgGMTA0f4s3TO2W2M_alwJwaTCaJrtKz-lCpoFgiYDLB-Qb6O8RH3LgNy0cfgyWBFf2YIXtoLRKv3XCnlccPneYuil9UzMoavZw7HwGFUMC94yuQmxLxA_-5wCgrfRH4Mjt-/s1600-h/return+of+the+hats.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874740618275346" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-wu97byRSgGMTA0f4s3TO2W2M_alwJwaTCaJrtKz-lCpoFgiYDLB-Qb6O8RH3LgNy0cfgyWBFf2YIXtoLRKv3XCnlccPneYuil9UzMoavZw7HwGFUMC94yuQmxLxA_-5wCgrfRH4Mjt-/s320/return+of+the+hats.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">They run home to tell Ma and Pa. Poor sensitive Ma can't stand the thought of a family broken apart like that. What a phony. She probably loves it.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">Nels reports for work to find a line-up of busybodies and gawkers waiting for the mercantile to open. Cripes, people, get a life. There's like 15 Walnut Grove nobodies crammed into the mercantile, just waiting for the next blow up. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Pa follows Nels to the back room, where Nels confides, "I'm a clown, Charles". Sorry, Nels, but that is not news. If you are only becoming aware of this <em>now</em>, then you should probably have Doc Baker check to see if you've had a pulse during the last 15 episodes. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Ma offers to take the kids from Harriet for a few days. Harriet is flustered and almost breaks down, but rushes away to help Mrs. Foster in the ribbons and trims section.</div><br /><br /><div align="left">Sunday at church, Nels and Harriet sit pretty much as far away from each other as they can. Nels is sitting with Hansen, for jeez sake! That's kinda immature. Think of what you're doing to your kids.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqPsrF1z4phnUjIwHvW06pTPNOWB_jUzacN1MmHrwRpD8uxlt2Rc60CtR0q5hhjawbNC0eukVaycahBXko5gHuB1guO77s7x1UeN1P5r2LWWr0hIWpXRvO4RJV_m0KrUwWtSh2YnfjOV9/s1600-h/sittin+with+hansen.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874666017478642" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqPsrF1z4phnUjIwHvW06pTPNOWB_jUzacN1MmHrwRpD8uxlt2Rc60CtR0q5hhjawbNC0eukVaycahBXko5gHuB1guO77s7x1UeN1P5r2LWWr0hIWpXRvO4RJV_m0KrUwWtSh2YnfjOV9/s320/sittin+with+hansen.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Naturally, Reverend Alden butts wayyy the hell in. He recites some wedding garbage, and implores that Harriet remember her vows. Harriet wants no less than a public apology, but Nels is all: "No dice."</div><br /><br /><div align="left">Doc Baker thinks that his job includes healing broken marriages for some reason. He starts bugging Lars Hansen. This is priceless. No one cares about losing something that no one else wants. There needs to be a threat of someone stealing Harriet away to make Nels react. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Hansen listens to Doc Baker's plan... and then tries to run away. Doc Baker outlines a future where Hansen's mill goes under when the Olesons close the mercantile and move and the town collapses. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">The Doc and Hansen (complete with suit, hat, and flowers) walk toward the mercantile. Hansen is clearly uncomfortable with this plan of pretending to be attracted to Harriet Oleson. He tries to escape once more, but Doc Baker manages to get him inside the mercantile, then skips merrily away. I wonder what the hell Doc Baker was supposed to be on during some of these episodes. He's friggin' bizarre at times. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Ma is somehow in the mercantile AGAIN when Hansen arrives, so luckily we get to hear what happened firsthand as she tells Pa. Harriet was so shocked by the cheek of Hansen that she dumped a scoop of flour on him. Now she's taking the children and going back East... for good!!</div><br /><br /><div align="left">The next morning, Mary and Laura meet Nellie and Willie on the way to school. Nellie confirms that they will be moving east with their mother, and says that she will write to Mary and Laura, her only friends. Laura "supposes" she will write back. Yeah, I'm not that confident in her pen pal abilities. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89xs7X1_UUNGvRUTnWKHKcjBfHOrrl13q2ERLdxwySrCpyHkipdIV15Xb_LL5siN8OWaaozSsbRfwLCfZy0JSxd2CUSPs1uibSy9YSUqcLuz5MIOcxw1AEVSE-FdDNt0lqAkvJXJYnY0u/s1600-h/sad+children.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874507888918338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89xs7X1_UUNGvRUTnWKHKcjBfHOrrl13q2ERLdxwySrCpyHkipdIV15Xb_LL5siN8OWaaozSsbRfwLCfZy0JSxd2CUSPs1uibSy9YSUqcLuz5MIOcxw1AEVSE-FdDNt0lqAkvJXJYnY0u/s320/sad+children.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Ma is preparing for her last visit with Harriet. Oddly, she is sad. Pa has one last meddlin' plan though. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">As Ma helps Harriet pack, she starts ragging on Nels... hardcore. Not only is he "not an ideal husband", he's lazy. Messy. Bad at business. A bad father. How much further can Ma take this before Harriet intervenes? <em>Disreputable.</em> </div><br /><br /><div align="left">That's the one. Harriet starts defending Nels and reflecting on his good qualities. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">Outside, Pa plays the same game with Nels. Nels is quicker to come to Harriet's defense, and even gets to the point where he's dissin' himself.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5C4GUDbuze5XjnUDQm3P4OSr6YD5MDagbxJQsnc_rWI-mIKiwMMwQP5bQGt-i_ID7b0Myh7ZolW_91Wm3eMiYxN_Jn5VTRdlLeGeUa_A7TMQgkl89d3gNFbP-VG80ZjWP0p7EKNJ2SEH/s1600-h/smug+pa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874413996556258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5C4GUDbuze5XjnUDQm3P4OSr6YD5MDagbxJQsnc_rWI-mIKiwMMwQP5bQGt-i_ID7b0Myh7ZolW_91Wm3eMiYxN_Jn5VTRdlLeGeUa_A7TMQgkl89d3gNFbP-VG80ZjWP0p7EKNJ2SEH/s320/smug+pa.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Pa looks <em>real</em> smug when Nels runs off toward to mercantile. Come on, Pa. We know that always having the answer is just all in a day's work for you. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQmpiMR9QWcVIMpMc2Av7xAB2hAEb93HzBrPfuEnhTYcJrvZtHBUOkpXXBecQu4ZAvD1NbblkOQE3Q1ZHsCg4NoTzOV-VQeeZ_Pnuv9gcHLhpDLhHOSCfpu87eDgFpA91neUJcH_3Hp39/s1600-h/pa.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310874364340873010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQmpiMR9QWcVIMpMc2Av7xAB2hAEb93HzBrPfuEnhTYcJrvZtHBUOkpXXBecQu4ZAvD1NbblkOQE3Q1ZHsCg4NoTzOV-VQeeZ_Pnuv9gcHLhpDLhHOSCfpu87eDgFpA91neUJcH_3Hp39/s320/pa.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Nels and Harriet reunite, and Ma slips quietly out of the mercantile. </div><br /><br /><div align="left">An unspecified amount of time later, Ma is back at the merc selling eggs. ZOMG, how many times? Harriet butts in on Nels's egg dealing, while Ma does a major teeth-grit. It's so extreme that Harriet is insulting Nels's handwriting - but he won penmanship awards, I'll have you know!!! Ma leaves quietly, again. A crash sounds from inside the shop, and the large dog runs out and away, probably never to be seen again.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yEUm2WW6Ihm7Ab75nUIXnhc0zKSt6jOD4dxI-fs7q8_QcllaOhR8SkrzlxfiETiNcQVIFlGC5v1IhyphenhyphenUY5t6wOT-7j3oCfeAEO_6k8QXJcVPzobjvDIWxjjqoTG2ULNfl4-bCabVqK8RI/s1600-h/ma.JPG"></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-40071292441054828142009-02-04T10:48:00.001-04:002009-02-04T10:50:39.433-04:00TV Time '79<div>I present: <strong>TV Time '79</strong>. </div><div> </div><br /><div>Once upon a time this book lived in my grade 4 classroom, and, being Little House obsessed, I looked at it all the time. One day I asked my teacher if she would photocopy the Little House pictures for me. In 1994, a book about 1979 television programming was of little interest to most 10-year-olds, so she said I could just take it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(click the pages to make them bigger, if you wanna)</span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IX2jDEMG77J_3_rY8uzMUGtxFbh-ZZjpqamdXHl9XQxfXaxIyWVWHX6cgxNL06wqxfMfQHuYJeMEKnkiOokJGByUNCFyGfP5SQf_JkY_GRvjJOTGWMe27hPhtTDN6f9bId1WDjxMs5FE/s1600-h/tv+time+79+cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287119118434716354" style="width: 279px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IX2jDEMG77J_3_rY8uzMUGtxFbh-ZZjpqamdXHl9XQxfXaxIyWVWHX6cgxNL06wqxfMfQHuYJeMEKnkiOokJGByUNCFyGfP5SQf_JkY_GRvjJOTGWMe27hPhtTDN6f9bId1WDjxMs5FE/s400/tv+time+79+cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1t4WlIRMSJnoeQggO7YGEdIkvBHi2CKrw0UH5kiEG9PtJCIJDqiOG4yEIsz7kzpBVmXIe8Av7jZOAGL79kmTMZt4xsAfnH_PH82KIUI770hc3sBUsnCJKMxyjEfzisu1BOL_zY8wSLCJ/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+50.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118984125428658" style="width: 280px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1t4WlIRMSJnoeQggO7YGEdIkvBHi2CKrw0UH5kiEG9PtJCIJDqiOG4yEIsz7kzpBVmXIe8Av7jZOAGL79kmTMZt4xsAfnH_PH82KIUI770hc3sBUsnCJKMxyjEfzisu1BOL_zY8wSLCJ/s400/tv+time+pg+50.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6lQcLhcGsdURwfOBsnS0y9dKIBoIMqnTAzDJ4avLg8TBK0fAoLZcODy1Yi_i4A4OX-QDL_Tj2-4myI6BU4-k4sSFIgTG4OlcpqCqlpxDxTKuns5SkZGZxmM4Bi_O-p4mm1l7jmBSj3ge/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+51.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118869959600866" style="width: 278px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6lQcLhcGsdURwfOBsnS0y9dKIBoIMqnTAzDJ4avLg8TBK0fAoLZcODy1Yi_i4A4OX-QDL_Tj2-4myI6BU4-k4sSFIgTG4OlcpqCqlpxDxTKuns5SkZGZxmM4Bi_O-p4mm1l7jmBSj3ge/s400/tv+time+pg+51.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZx6yP4SLguuUIfOEEHErvJJ_t5UB6nvdk6MZ3e7JT6qdKnrK9kxm5xwLCaG-qwD-LIYwzn-HZC5oU_dlJYOpkswB2RFoaa7c34IQuiw7Kf7H-en6jz5ObrK8qYmDIULwHFtC3dYL6Glc3/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+52.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118710259458466" style="width: 278px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZx6yP4SLguuUIfOEEHErvJJ_t5UB6nvdk6MZ3e7JT6qdKnrK9kxm5xwLCaG-qwD-LIYwzn-HZC5oU_dlJYOpkswB2RFoaa7c34IQuiw7Kf7H-en6jz5ObrK8qYmDIULwHFtC3dYL6Glc3/s400/tv+time+pg+52.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqsH8qzIC0ZuRYJlcM5wZ7gMCoFQr-wS5Q5i_81fA3L-Z0jilGs35s3S_-cIXFif7IOcmQ0h6pkucqPRRnw1Tr_1uVcguW_XRHeXCCnjXabULJaYTwJPubkErOQsaOqwydUpMVRzmO444/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+53.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118599320385842" style="width: 275px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqsH8qzIC0ZuRYJlcM5wZ7gMCoFQr-wS5Q5i_81fA3L-Z0jilGs35s3S_-cIXFif7IOcmQ0h6pkucqPRRnw1Tr_1uVcguW_XRHeXCCnjXabULJaYTwJPubkErOQsaOqwydUpMVRzmO444/s400/tv+time+pg+53.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZlgjwVkXSr_9j1gfjlaJOySqAMCPysnSAUk_DdfFH8PLHyXSF-3xMTWEJ11DfTUTDpI8_pszj4b9AvdDO0R0vIIDPKJZET7Z9Z4xDob8MZqWT7Y9xjeNfWzRNSTRdlJYcyUGorMXAhPp/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+54.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118476535895522" style="width: 282px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZlgjwVkXSr_9j1gfjlaJOySqAMCPysnSAUk_DdfFH8PLHyXSF-3xMTWEJ11DfTUTDpI8_pszj4b9AvdDO0R0vIIDPKJZET7Z9Z4xDob8MZqWT7Y9xjeNfWzRNSTRdlJYcyUGorMXAhPp/s400/tv+time+pg+54.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_2FUFJVTdz75qoT9l0X5LVcCpWgTsrcmzKU7wd5GDrgoGZ0uajXpfF_nhYpb2xXes57WzclqQtUr5CTFEY9G2B9KmWDtMMPwPPN6x0RJsnT9_itzHvnJ3TiotP30-TYoXrU9Q5c6i1QQ/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+55.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118339940428082" style="width: 281px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_2FUFJVTdz75qoT9l0X5LVcCpWgTsrcmzKU7wd5GDrgoGZ0uajXpfF_nhYpb2xXes57WzclqQtUr5CTFEY9G2B9KmWDtMMPwPPN6x0RJsnT9_itzHvnJ3TiotP30-TYoXrU9Q5c6i1QQ/s400/tv+time+pg+55.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianPCmADRHZCh4f9Fc-ZFx2NnjQmGEQK5kbrL8Gt4uCEauxIx7ayLjg7UpBv5Kd8uTfCncjRgYMzFDDmi4qfbXnz_R0IEI1ac0VRjBC9YGyCgfar4W_6TJG3SDtVsoDfRn0u7Fjm7cexki/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+56.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118234175422162" style="width: 282px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianPCmADRHZCh4f9Fc-ZFx2NnjQmGEQK5kbrL8Gt4uCEauxIx7ayLjg7UpBv5Kd8uTfCncjRgYMzFDDmi4qfbXnz_R0IEI1ac0VRjBC9YGyCgfar4W_6TJG3SDtVsoDfRn0u7Fjm7cexki/s400/tv+time+pg+56.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFsTFIWR2nzPyvi0S1PQO-DutFd91eW1VlrH7lPGIR5C0JaLAnfAmimUyT3KFvqN1CBFhQC4h6e2_C0QsYrHDYD3C_Oe_S8hSNbzb1SrCQxWVTasE4K3nZXQphrQs2ntdFSwFg8OL49ck/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+57.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287118067075479714" style="width: 282px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFsTFIWR2nzPyvi0S1PQO-DutFd91eW1VlrH7lPGIR5C0JaLAnfAmimUyT3KFvqN1CBFhQC4h6e2_C0QsYrHDYD3C_Oe_S8hSNbzb1SrCQxWVTasE4K3nZXQphrQs2ntdFSwFg8OL49ck/s400/tv+time+pg+57.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7UNm7y1q9oPH9TX3IdzSpJQPFdk9bSgYuEPeWwACVdQ_KvssavjJDzgR3cBkoL2Z8L5ELhose5pQ7p9Htvbq8X1Y4yAVFAX_17NIAKRux5vUjVN6qWU0bIxwbY46uuF2huIyfbAal7XC/s1600-h/tv+time+pg+58.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287117938144937090" style="width: 282px; height: 400px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7UNm7y1q9oPH9TX3IdzSpJQPFdk9bSgYuEPeWwACVdQ_KvssavjJDzgR3cBkoL2Z8L5ELhose5pQ7p9Htvbq8X1Y4yAVFAX_17NIAKRux5vUjVN6qWU0bIxwbY46uuF2huIyfbAal7XC/s400/tv+time+pg+58.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-79152984372667850212009-01-02T22:50:00.001-04:002009-01-02T23:13:15.293-04:00Christmas At Plum Creek (Season 1, Episode 15)<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEnol833lDaMWvw3-3j1-iECxLVhgDD2JgM8cCPLwuXBXyN7JUQ2_R6FGYakpxjfnQbIgrSSAUzu38abeBwmTBq_PEp5pTAsOrKaQ6-KClvO0nBh5iiJArklMGJXYQv_I_1pFtYcLZXsr/s1600-h/xmas+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286859810630314210" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEnol833lDaMWvw3-3j1-iECxLVhgDD2JgM8cCPLwuXBXyN7JUQ2_R6FGYakpxjfnQbIgrSSAUzu38abeBwmTBq_PEp5pTAsOrKaQ6-KClvO0nBh5iiJArklMGJXYQv_I_1pFtYcLZXsr/s320/xmas+title.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>Laura has a pony, which for some reason she's allowing Nellie Oleson to ride. Now I don't have a mortal enemy (or a horse), but that whole scenario seems kinda loopy. </div><br /><p>And, uh, speaking of "loopy"...</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBfAD1kdVkOd83vmpXOnjsbQQZq2Xa3xllQPjrW_zfRL8YQYOAlQeEI6i_7-14oBdwmoP5AXZrxQ2wD2rBCiFba4gem0dk1UHrmxcTlJXYHQcO_mI5mJq7A5yV85JkBBOZ3X6iPtaNRUg/s1600-h/omg+hat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286860850220244754" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBfAD1kdVkOd83vmpXOnjsbQQZq2Xa3xllQPjrW_zfRL8YQYOAlQeEI6i_7-14oBdwmoP5AXZrxQ2wD2rBCiFba4gem0dk1UHrmxcTlJXYHQcO_mI5mJq7A5yV85JkBBOZ3X6iPtaNRUg/s320/omg+hat.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div>What kind of hat <em>is that</em>?? I do all sorts of yarncraft, and I've never even seen it <em>suggested</em> that anyone wear anything like that on one's head.</div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivffMYWLIDry6xZ8I-67zniYtIURksEjcg8FJr5oNxhRkYkyV_G2UI_pURgq9lNzIxxJSn8rL6afaIH_5qNAvVPljGaQmY1659ufjaueBjKxSMcRH4YM1qBP1ZoghA8J8vByb7mrrJKzdO/s1600-h/omg+giant+medallion+button-bow.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286861536820589282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivffMYWLIDry6xZ8I-67zniYtIURksEjcg8FJr5oNxhRkYkyV_G2UI_pURgq9lNzIxxJSn8rL6afaIH_5qNAvVPljGaQmY1659ufjaueBjKxSMcRH4YM1qBP1ZoghA8J8vByb7mrrJKzdO/s320/omg+giant+medallion+button-bow.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>And look, it has a giant crazy medallion-shaped bow fastener on it! What the hell is the deal with this hat? It's an ideal example of the "old lady/doily/cake-on-the-head" hat. Well, I've gotta stop fixating on Laura's cold weather accessories and get on with the episode, I guess. But it won't be easy... I can't get over that damn hat!<br /><br />Nellie wants the pony. She starts in on Nels to buy it for her, but Laura says it's not for sale. Nellie heckles Laura because she doesn't even have a saddle.That doesn't last long though, because Nels manhandles Nellie to get inside the mercantile, and then continues hanging festive construction paper chains.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia0wjKVMYhsUkYuerdJ88ULcpnDWRdSjYP7gXKh4dygGnWkxAaMIoZ8G5dwxzEYtC8UvXnpPXfee6DLf68BPr-dzd2Gb3fQO22tj3Bg3Asgx-ToZwqvSdsE-tS9gWy6BVUjk36w-xdjgO/s1600-h/pre+manhandle.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286863352665301378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia0wjKVMYhsUkYuerdJ88ULcpnDWRdSjYP7gXKh4dygGnWkxAaMIoZ8G5dwxzEYtC8UvXnpPXfee6DLf68BPr-dzd2Gb3fQO22tj3Bg3Asgx-ToZwqvSdsE-tS9gWy6BVUjk36w-xdjgO/s320/pre+manhandle.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>I gotta say: I really like Nels's outfit here. The rarely seen ensemble of "three piece suit + apron", for that extra touch of holiday class.<br /><br />Back at the little house, Pa explains Christmas to Carrie. You know, the star and Jesus in the manger and all that.<br /><br />Later that night, Laura and Mary are in bed counting their savings.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsCqlaTDtP7vnR3OditlJyds-NpWlUrVP-nL6ni4PCyOcTPt5DvvP1QQhgp3tWgjufHxTDkfatPuGVBOdqQQrjByOBi1vuWwK5SlsLnn3LOiFSApvNG4oneFFRcOi4c4pKZFsA8-hTKc9/s1600-h/xmas+money.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286864593083517122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsCqlaTDtP7vnR3OditlJyds-NpWlUrVP-nL6ni4PCyOcTPt5DvvP1QQhgp3tWgjufHxTDkfatPuGVBOdqQQrjByOBi1vuWwK5SlsLnn3LOiFSApvNG4oneFFRcOi4c4pKZFsA8-hTKc9/s320/xmas+money.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>They can't think of anything special to get for Ma and Pa this Christmas, their first one in the little house at Plum Creek. But one thing is sure: the amount of money they've got to work with ain't gonna do it.<br /><br />Downstairs (oy - down...<em>ladder</em>??) Pa is counting his secret stash of coins hidden in his fiddle case, and Ma sneaks a peek into her hiding spot in the baking soda can (or something).<br /><br />The next day while doing laundry, Mary asks Ma what Pa would like for Christmas. Ma says something special would have to be homemade. My first thought is: "Naw, that sucks", but Mary is struck with inspiration.<br /><br />The Ingalls family takes a trip to the mercantile, which is totally decked out holiday-style.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m1uCXmnL2E5vh7WjnNwQN64r_ayt44yP_g86105PvYj1QKPRnjCv-Bn7nGIKsfl3ne5cieUuwGrAPL4LIQzPD3rIUkGxHLYXcCJuI7ZGCTqSKBvw9A6vVv6w6Bf-mg6QeSE_Tx0_vVX1/s1600-h/festive+mercantile+++omg+mary+has+one+too.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286865945669163586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m1uCXmnL2E5vh7WjnNwQN64r_ayt44yP_g86105PvYj1QKPRnjCv-Bn7nGIKsfl3ne5cieUuwGrAPL4LIQzPD3rIUkGxHLYXcCJuI7ZGCTqSKBvw9A6vVv6w6Bf-mg6QeSE_Tx0_vVX1/s320/festive+mercantile+%2B+omg+mary+has+one+too.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>See? Mary has one of those stinkin' hats, too. OMG. It's too distracting. I can't focus.<br /><br />The Ingallses slink around the mercantile like a family of spies, each one trying to get an idea of what everyone else is interested in. Mary checks out the yardgoods - plain <em>and</em> fancy. Ma prefers the woodstove. But it's $7.87. Way too much... waaaaay too much. And who doesn't remember Carrie loving the Jesus star?<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoRcA23KQIJ0KkIaJGqQiV8EYUaPwPtr4uhxldKmQlRPmRGOuRwLHP4fJGQareOXl_NP0iKNjiggEFV1dtju9U8plmds1H7U_MTv0al_YkTxRetuNzKUbgZX1kgBWJFhoD8a3GdoA55xt/s1600-h/carrie+star.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286867160319545506" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoRcA23KQIJ0KkIaJGqQiV8EYUaPwPtr4uhxldKmQlRPmRGOuRwLHP4fJGQareOXl_NP0iKNjiggEFV1dtju9U8plmds1H7U_MTv0al_YkTxRetuNzKUbgZX1kgBWJFhoD8a3GdoA55xt/s320/carrie+star.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Ma goes over and starts handling the same yardgoods that Mary just looked at, a masculine plaid print. Uh oh, I don't like where this is going. BACK OFF, MA! For your own good!!!!<br /><br />Mary and Laura go wait outside while Ma and Pa finish up. And one more hat shot. I love how Mary's is all sticking up like some kind of two-tone wintertime mane.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mAAk5OVTtKAgdlECVzxffMcO4GELdrC2F92NnPOwQp16AZBFcwmtdHvQRjAkfp7x0ktfotBeGWj6wOfp-uINrkAwCGtCOHdszMgdSXbY153nnyQEfpXxabmi8gAaAPYqPaPvs3vMQqw7/s1600-h/i+can"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286867981629838434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mAAk5OVTtKAgdlECVzxffMcO4GELdrC2F92NnPOwQp16AZBFcwmtdHvQRjAkfp7x0ktfotBeGWj6wOfp-uINrkAwCGtCOHdszMgdSXbY153nnyQEfpXxabmi8gAaAPYqPaPvs3vMQqw7/s320/i+can%27t+get+over+these+hats.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Inside, Pa and Nels make a deal that Pa will become a wheelwright and build four wagon wheels for Nels to make some extra Christmas money.<br /><br />I guess the next day, Mary comes in after school and wants to play a guessing game with Ma. Ma despises guessing games, and shuts Mary's "I bet you can't guess" down with a quick: "You're right, dear, I can't." Pa comes in, and Mary asks permission to go work with Mrs. Whipple, the seamstress. "I sewed her I can show!"<br /><br />The next day, Laura wants to ride Bunny into town while the rest of the family goes in the buggy. Pa asks if she's doing it to make Nellie Oleson jealous. Well, that's not the <u>only</u> reason. Pa decides that no commandments are being broken, so Laura can go for it. Yeah, forcing someone else to covet isn't nice, but it isn't <em>illegal</em>.<br /><br />In town, Mary takes off to Mrs. Whipple's to start working. The Whipp has a man-sized shirt on her dressmaker's mannequin. It's going to be Pa's Christmas gift from Mary.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Ma goes into the mercantile first, alone, to buy the yardgoods to make a shirt for Pa. She chooses the identical fabric that Mary is already using, natch. What a disaster.<br /><br />Laura goes into the mercantile next, and whispers a deal to Nels.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYenxJBJlKHMDWC6jhlk6vvHAsb8hfjytz36tz6IokrE3O4qS8agA-6WYwAiWMMld-E_hkz4HqM-70FUpVWWxXEZ_t06VRMSXejK4mtIR1m7mEwuagxDENSMmwfkcSaS17xO04d_2zUkm6/s1600-h/whisper.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286880144272591938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYenxJBJlKHMDWC6jhlk6vvHAsb8hfjytz36tz6IokrE3O4qS8agA-6WYwAiWMMld-E_hkz4HqM-70FUpVWWxXEZ_t06VRMSXejK4mtIR1m7mEwuagxDENSMmwfkcSaS17xO04d_2zUkm6/s320/whisper.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>It's time for the obligatory montage of everyone doing their Christmas thang. Ma works on Pa's shirt, Mary works on Pa's other shirt, Pa makes wheels, and Laura casts on some knitting.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb53yn-Blpt0C79ALMYhozOHGG8AJSljsiz2vtyWGdpNW-YWtkr3_xstAbgM7tR-pDhOy87N3HEWgGZsektktsBsBUPjxC1BA9qM9X9PjJ_al9BHW_qygAuvT8fB7notjIK8IkEk-P6a-/s1600-h/laura+knit.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286881529330456450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb53yn-Blpt0C79ALMYhozOHGG8AJSljsiz2vtyWGdpNW-YWtkr3_xstAbgM7tR-pDhOy87N3HEWgGZsektktsBsBUPjxC1BA9qM9X9PjJ_al9BHW_qygAuvT8fB7notjIK8IkEk-P6a-/s320/laura+knit.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL9m3ia6sLW94-vTUnjqGOBfRraZUI3kabDqHRo9Z_1ft7pn5NBoNF96EJbcyqTYUAu1RxPAiRscra-44GA-PMorqlgm5jZnskWSRrMC6IwLRki-HSe6k3_9sfyPzec0U5x536-aF6GyB/s1600-h/knit2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286881662036654338" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL9m3ia6sLW94-vTUnjqGOBfRraZUI3kabDqHRo9Z_1ft7pn5NBoNF96EJbcyqTYUAu1RxPAiRscra-44GA-PMorqlgm5jZnskWSRrMC6IwLRki-HSe6k3_9sfyPzec0U5x536-aF6GyB/s320/knit2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>If Laura's, like, 7 and can do decent looking stuff like this, then who the hell was responsible for those hats? It's not like there's some out-of-style grandparent or aunt giving them hideous clothing every holiday.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Carrie has found a penny among her possessions, so Laura takes her to the mercantile to spend it. Nels is practicing good customer service in the flannel shirt department with Mrs. Foster when the girls arrive. He leaves Mrs. F alone for 2 seconds to help Carrie, and Mrs. F takes off saying she can find better stuff in Mankato.<br /><br />Soon after, Pa delivers the wheels to Nels. Man, he can't even get a second of relief from this family. Pa wants to put his wheel money toward the woodstove. Aha, but Pa wasn't the only Ingalls who noticed Ma had been admiring it. Nels hedges. He says it's sold. He desperately tries to sell Pa something, anything. An imported clock. A knickknack stand. That would set off the house real well. Yeah... no.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgChyw3QnK5FF6wasu1HkEJh1jFL0B_ssqcteco_J96DbJWobkrJYNTkvL9JQ5MiuOCsudW5J-xkmq4bdHt8SsSykYSXqJEhVbM_ZkpXuj4vIYhX8V0M6mPMgF_q-8ot02CxrpT8cFUOu3/s1600-h/nels+getting+desperate.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286884240225286002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgChyw3QnK5FF6wasu1HkEJh1jFL0B_ssqcteco_J96DbJWobkrJYNTkvL9JQ5MiuOCsudW5J-xkmq4bdHt8SsSykYSXqJEhVbM_ZkpXuj4vIYhX8V0M6mPMgF_q-8ot02CxrpT8cFUOu3/s320/nels+getting+desperate.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Pa rips the picture of the stove right out of the catalogue, so he can put it on the tree.<br /><br />Suddenly, Pa is on snowshoes in a snowy field with his gun. This snow looks pretty legit. Not like the massive snowfall in that blizzard episode where Miss Beadle sends all those kids out early to their untimely deaths. Or like 90% of all the snow on Little House on the Prairie, which usually looks fake as hell. I've got some magazine-type books from the 70s and apparently the worst thing about being an actor on this show was wearing the wardrobe in the California heat. And, like, pretending it was winter while your face was melting off.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8K6dPGvqPavqZZjBNuKvjH3oEwaW_njGz3bKb_e8CMbaSPDPU8XysLLd059qlNeEdHVISFBG2FYEKDKbz89mGVn74X_-ZzFraYesWPXvGXGbh-omVpxE6E0VbeWTm0J8lqL3dnfdHiz8/s1600-h/snowshoezzz.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286885674768895010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8K6dPGvqPavqZZjBNuKvjH3oEwaW_njGz3bKb_e8CMbaSPDPU8XysLLd059qlNeEdHVISFBG2FYEKDKbz89mGVn74X_-ZzFraYesWPXvGXGbh-omVpxE6E0VbeWTm0J8lqL3dnfdHiz8/s320/snowshoezzz.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Pa makes it back from his hunting trip with a fine Christmas turkey.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCMG3egCV5Z-psOm7m990uG-_BTYIsZjhZ6IFSbe-kHGjjuXzJ_gXm-VUBRY3Qv4HlZVJwrXKeYezZAp7PsEGChvdr5T3WU15qOyYYdNWRK878nRySAM7CQAzXc41PwKYJWU9bxiSYt7k/s1600-h/turkey+day.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286886936566843154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCMG3egCV5Z-psOm7m990uG-_BTYIsZjhZ6IFSbe-kHGjjuXzJ_gXm-VUBRY3Qv4HlZVJwrXKeYezZAp7PsEGChvdr5T3WU15qOyYYdNWRK878nRySAM7CQAzXc41PwKYJWU9bxiSYt7k/s320/turkey+day.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">The girls dance while Pa fiddles until they're interrupted by a Christmas delivery from Nels Oleson. Of course, Pa thinks the giant box is the stove (yes) that he ordered (no). </p><p align="left">On Christmas morning, everyone opens presents. Pa opens the scarf Laura knitted. There's gingerbread for Jack from Santa. Mary got a fur capelet. Carrie has a new beaded necklace. Mary pre-threatens Pa as he's about to open her gift: "You better like it because I made it."</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRSXpEeuBIbG15IqLV_fpzerqdY1urXjaZX0pSYuE78lEP2uSn5O_UMY36s_88WA3exNhEUx_DVqHud22cP_cIfg19VxTISPZTApeHHfOY_gaXDfahqZ-6ZSUeUni1_kLctyebcmpbp_A/s1600-h/christmas+a.m..JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286891489637831474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRSXpEeuBIbG15IqLV_fpzerqdY1urXjaZX0pSYuE78lEP2uSn5O_UMY36s_88WA3exNhEUx_DVqHud22cP_cIfg19VxTISPZTApeHHfOY_gaXDfahqZ-6ZSUeUni1_kLctyebcmpbp_A/s320/christmas+a.m..JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>Pa holds up his shirt, and Ma incredulously checks under the tree to see if her gift to Pa is still there. Two matching shirts? It can't be. Ma secretly takes her parcel and hides it. </p><p>Now, the famous <a href="http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/Gift_of_the_Magi.html">Gift of the Magi</a> scene. Pa made Laura a saddle. But... she's sold her horse to Oleson for money to get the stove for Ma. God, it just makes you want to die. Laura hugs Pa with tears in her eyes and the whole family is still none the wiser about what she's done. </p><p align="left">Ma can't wait any longer, and starts busting into the giant box with a hammer.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk5NGqRraiX0mn5YXtlWtl3UGHnMOIV-OXq1cR7uMVbhLgvkqa-d7KoPasyr_0n9isC7ycC8E-wutZ3OcaBRvmNN8BsPs12mi5DIme1NyG-nuT4W4NLKhj9n8PxXzREfcQAIhI3HxdD6L/s1600-h/oh+it"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286889010081097042" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk5NGqRraiX0mn5YXtlWtl3UGHnMOIV-OXq1cR7uMVbhLgvkqa-d7KoPasyr_0n9isC7ycC8E-wutZ3OcaBRvmNN8BsPs12mi5DIme1NyG-nuT4W4NLKhj9n8PxXzREfcQAIhI3HxdD6L/s320/oh+it%27s+a+stove!" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="left">"Oh! It's a stove!" From <em>Laura</em>??</p><p align="left">Right then, the Olesons show up to collect Bunny, the horse. Um, shock to Ma and Pa. Ma is devastated that Laura sold her beloved animal just to buy a Christmas gift. Laura tearfully hands over the pony, then goes back inside where she tells Pa she's so sorry about all the work he did on the saddle.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu7hRsFlYxSQGFZBWVa-BvH41ZtF7kLA3SqBQpMeiGQcSBgOIYrqeftM2gR0mu6CMKvLHlTeh-ZXghqTm53XqJg8FlgrCFEYlzCgkIKM4iT2W2J2EkEn9UxXyQpGlQ93iDZ9-JXf4ryv9/s1600-h/all+the+family+that+matters.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286892859790403474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhu7hRsFlYxSQGFZBWVa-BvH41ZtF7kLA3SqBQpMeiGQcSBgOIYrqeftM2gR0mu6CMKvLHlTeh-ZXghqTm53XqJg8FlgrCFEYlzCgkIKM4iT2W2J2EkEn9UxXyQpGlQ93iDZ9-JXf4ryv9/s320/all+the+family+that+matters.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"> There's one gift left for Pa to open. It's the star that Carrie bought. They put it on top of the tree. "Happy birthday, baby Jesus!"</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq35NJR9imv2Hh4AmmGbOrxt4wqLFSWxtD8-0uZFIKkFnwzn0E_6H1KVturTqQ97arO72wbXjWmOBXPN9rbehkJbU0d2YzNGE-1FIjUJ0HBg7vntIDReMqP0WfhEA60DDZT7O3pT-kk5k/s1600-h/the+star.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286892468978960898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq35NJR9imv2Hh4AmmGbOrxt4wqLFSWxtD8-0uZFIKkFnwzn0E_6H1KVturTqQ97arO72wbXjWmOBXPN9rbehkJbU0d2YzNGE-1FIjUJ0HBg7vntIDReMqP0WfhEA60DDZT7O3pT-kk5k/s320/the+star.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-82063739222678287912008-12-22T22:02:00.003-04:002008-12-22T22:04:28.194-04:00The Lord Is My Shepherd, Part 2 (Season 1, Episode 14)<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1BK0Le9Sa5UwltA6vJeVaWfF4pfr1E_68WK5byUxWy1y-DwH7vCjVWKkCEh3kambuz5XmZrGhZDmA437ge8SsUC4CJahVitxrRWibso1xukJ47TzyLLPelJLRiYMJUm_PeRoFo810Hsv/s1600-h/title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282785722912324562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1BK0Le9Sa5UwltA6vJeVaWfF4pfr1E_68WK5byUxWy1y-DwH7vCjVWKkCEh3kambuz5XmZrGhZDmA437ge8SsUC4CJahVitxrRWibso1xukJ47TzyLLPelJLRiYMJUm_PeRoFo810Hsv/s320/title.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The little house is dark and quiet, except for Laura writing a letter. She had mean thoughts that caused or contributed to little Freddie's death, but she knows how to make it better. After placing her note on the mantel and petting Jack, Laura leaves the house.<br /><br /><p>In the morning, Pa wakes Ma with: "It's Monday and I'm starving!" She's probably still grieving, because wasn't the little guy's funeral, like, yesterday? So you *may* wanna lay off. Just sayin'. But we know Charles Ingalls is never gonna lay off, and I'm never gonna really get angry about it. Damn your handsome face, Pa Ingalls!</p><p>The family thinks Laura is outside doing chores until Ma spots the note. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282787302047818066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsA_CJkEgviyfs1PS0KSLSJDmpAdqE-TZe1qcQxwZLY2Em6UoRNLt7t8UVaIH6K3Oi6-DKkjpmxOpoVcuvFxaD2iySruxe_YG6j2eDWDHY8u02tGEqR2XsKSMnwEyMKaufeyPqTuGOvub/s320/note.JPG" border="0" /><br />Pa questions the "mean thoughts" part of the letter, but luckily they still have Mary around to cry and tattle. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282787471214354658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6Aplx8eTFF4dtHT71b9Fz4v9gKZ2YbVKXyViDLdc02pYxrh2i0sFs83h-YfuUDIoXL7Tr_4dcbVS7h1k8cB6X7t35vBWm9SrT8IcP7xvKtkNMtP10cKWAUI0HDqz2RW_aUZan5x9lXTi/s320/cry.JPG" border="0" /><br />Ever notice how Pa always seems to viciously interrogate Mary? It happened in the Mr. Edward's Homecoming episode: "What did you LEARN IN SUNDAY SCHOOL??" And The Racoon. Mary did an identical cry when the raccoon bit Jack (and Laura). Mary lets it all out about how Laura felt like the new baby was taking her place as Pa's favourite.<br /><br />In town, Pa borrows a horse from Hans Dorfler. What the hell was wrong with his own horses? Unless he just doesn't want Edwards's lard body taking a ride. Or else he knows in advance that the horses are gonna be climbing a mountain like no mountain the prairies have ever seen...<br /><br />Pa and Edwards take off, traveling through field and fountain, moor and mountain looking for Laura.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Laura has spotted the spot that is the closest to God.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282789470019146258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CNiZziT5ys0rrxSZBN4I7UmTSA9n7nuJt4DO4s-5sB07g0D1aMWHrnoOIXh4av_a54o5GsKE8MtRzMSenj9BLBTuYZudtgNaHK1wDaxqSaFISKM5LgogGg08gsTsgg7SJHxf75RKYgLM/s320/laura.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282789721712913234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBrg2yZmhFjmgAXI9GviOXXHFaYXOuUSLHRHSBwt-Wk28SNKC_L52VXInnoYVr8Cn8VNGZp9uow9nOZeE7bUh-9aRjjdB-NKkkbOhrEv3DTYNOI-t94pvuLsKMwIn4thyphenhyphentpVGdusIJU7g/s320/l+to+mt.JPG" border="0" /><br />After Laura climbs up the mountain, she outlines her deal to God. God had a son, maybe he wants a girl, too. Laura will go be with Him, and Freddie can come back to be with Pa. She covers herself with her coat, and lays down to wait for God's answer.<br /><br />She is soon disturbed by the voice of Jonathan.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282790692022460674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCqgULzFMHqif1BgWPQI7-XiC_1tVPe3YO9jOA8ha7oszwScCW8PRus6pefYAQHwCWlL6t1LVlT1SeTBOGXW1p4tt4yDkSWqDuNmVv0BnL9CZBIC_v0BsstfmatH4j-Gy2b_AnNRuGe94/s320/jonathan.JPG" border="0" /><br />Jonathan starts talking about his generically referenced friend, Him. Laura figures out eventually that he's talking about God. Jonathan <em>knows</em> God. OMG.<br /><br /><p>Pa and Edwards keep looking. Jonathan makes an engraved cross for Laura.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282791881622163074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EBUJWUURsr1QPLj-XcvVrCymgLqRC6SJCn6rUn7xS37wA7iTWWo5EGT2XJLnFjhreTTGBbGjSuL2w_eRVg6GCnuMyaxL96NBloVI5NYYpwK_DvGUU-4NR6kIZmHnbzTpbmT-mInuloPU/s320/cross.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>After that, Jonathan is oddly eager for Laura to take a bath. I'm sure it's meant innocently, but the whole ear-scrubbing thing made me uncomfortable when I was 10, and it makes me uncomfortable now. <strong>"Rub 'em! Yeah, rub 'em! Rub 'em HARD!"</strong></p><p>Laura rubs a little too vigorously, I guess, because her cross necklace comes off and floats down the river. She starts freaking out, but Jonathan knows the art of child distraction and gives her a hurt bird to take care of. </p><p>Pa and Edwards have returned to the little house to get provisions for an overnight search. Carrie asks if Laura went away with her brother. Ma runs from the room in tears... to the other room 4.5 feet away.</p><p>At night, Laura tells Jonathan that she wants to switch places with her dead brother, and she is seriously ready to die. . He tells her that everyone has mean thoughts. Laura says: "Not my ma and pa." Say what? </p><p>Ma has certainly had mean thoughts about Mrs. Oleson, probably daily. And Mr. Oleson, when she thought he was ripping Mary off. And she constantly hates Mr. Edwards. </p><p>And PA! Pa was pretty mean about Johnny Johnson's interest in Mary. And that was verbal! I don't even wanna know what else he was thinking! What about Pa and the guy who repo'd the oxen? Or Pa and, like, EVERYONE in Walnut Grove because of the church bell? Pa was definitely thinking mean shit about all of those jerks. Oh, and Olga's dad who wouldn't let Pa fix her shoe, so Pa fought him... jeez, Laura, don't be so naive. Your parents get diabolically angry ALL THE FRIGGIN' TIME.</p><p>Pa and Edwards are still looking. Pa stops to fill the canteens and Laura's missing cross washes up at his feet. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282797291959312610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlP7xx2wE57he_VO-pxsShuuCKfy1TqaRl8By_PZwfuzmWDq2Xav1mbl0lunUBBABlGavYOJW6A2FPbH3X1pOXOxKfikjhPKwcOgdd3T6Xz7PgQCxNt8LhnMVytA_KbeNsvd34W7Sz-2c/s320/pa+realizes.JPG" border="0" /><br />Upon realizing what he's holding, Pa yells: "EDWARDS!" at top volume times a million, even though Edwards is only 7 steps away.<br /><br />Laura thinks God has forsaken her and that she needs to go higher to get even closer to God. Jonathan suggests building a bonfire. God's not gonna be able to miss it when the entire mountain turns into what Smokey the Bear has been warning everyone about.<br /><br />The smoke catches Edwards's attention, and they take off toward the mountain.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282798031222701730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgmWI9tlH9M9sSsi803DKPK6pEe0OqfDQFsUl0tYiM4CQGek1G1yGV61dingz2b6Jm7j1OTzIAjeMLuUklb8er65_ss4eUtG_6Sj144Qwp2Lg_4F2hvB7WHodIRl1aQGH_amHSrzAstXL/s320/fire.JPG" border="0" /><br />The horses make REALLY good time. Friggin' 'roid horses or something. I guess Hans Dorfler is the go-to guy for stuff like that. It's still daylight when they reach Laura, who is praying on a rock cliff. She spots them before they see her, and she runs away to hide. She wants an answer from God before Pa finds her.<br /><br />Jonathan explains that things are just as God wants. Pa runs up the last hill to where Laura is.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282798805911039346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F8Most_tQeI2v6pF52DXY6rIK8sDhDn0khpvqVSR3xGZCcnE8NDfZ9zJ7wuba_t_v3OdMivlwuHsOSKLjXVMDxYiVIiQopDIaW8X4GAKRWmGVPvpjZsZDjPrUHZigj_MsvutuBaXz6uK/s320/reunion.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Even Edwards is losing it in the background. During the reunion, Jonathan disappeared. The only trace of him is the sturdy shelter he's constructed on the mountaintop and the cross he made, which lead Pa to Laura. </p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-85912457111852052442008-11-23T21:43:00.003-04:002008-11-23T21:45:05.325-04:00The Lord Is My Shepherd, Part 1 (Season 1, Episode 13)<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0C99uubJfyYGH2OSS2O5OUmmc5fix82jRhRvD8g0qUpzCtaxDiiGEB6GRpOXfKsvRkaZIFr1IB_KM_PC2KSuU6Lr_gm5FxyQ1z0RDgcKhQgX8BkvuFGpmw4V5M3Jc7bHrwDMwHhbDOfU/s1600-h/the+lord+is+my+shepherd+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272008283724871714" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0C99uubJfyYGH2OSS2O5OUmmc5fix82jRhRvD8g0qUpzCtaxDiiGEB6GRpOXfKsvRkaZIFr1IB_KM_PC2KSuU6Lr_gm5FxyQ1z0RDgcKhQgX8BkvuFGpmw4V5M3Jc7bHrwDMwHhbDOfU/s320/the+lord+is+my+shepherd+title.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Pa bugs Ma for not eating and being too thin. Well, enjoy it now, Chuck, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cuz</span> it ain't gonna last. Ma is - how would they say it back then? - <em>with child</em>.<br /><br />Charles needs make sure that everyone in Walnut Grove knows how excited he is about the baby. And by 'baby', I mean the boy male son that Caroline is certainly carrying. Charles also prepares for the baby by constructing the world's biggest crib. Where the hell is that gonna fit in the little house?<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlBdZkPeSq0tEaqIB5cQUiqCpUhGywGnWY82b38it0NY8AUx4Du2OJwCCGfan4yeUSXsXGXeBwazY13fxqusbDFa3UUR2A3RbXTZk3RgXsMl9gzGGKh05FPk2yaCQMfoDwuGPR_0-KoLy/s1600-h/crib.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272009991001728786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlBdZkPeSq0tEaqIB5cQUiqCpUhGywGnWY82b38it0NY8AUx4Du2OJwCCGfan4yeUSXsXGXeBwazY13fxqusbDFa3UUR2A3RbXTZk3RgXsMl9gzGGKh05FPk2yaCQMfoDwuGPR_0-KoLy/s320/crib.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The more apparent it becomes that Pa really really really wants a boy this time, the more Laura tries to compensate for, like, not being a boy. She beat <a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/love-of-johnny-johnson-season-1-ep-5.html">Johnny Johnson</a> at some old-fashioned recess game and he called her a tomboy! That's almost like being a boy. Yeah, except not. Sorry, Laura. You fail.<br /><br />Nine months pass at warp speed, until one morning after Ma sends the girls off to school. She holds her stomach joyously and tells Pa to send for the mid-widow Grace Snider.<br /><br />Later in the day, the girls and Pa wait in the loft, while Ma and Grace work on the birthing. Then, suddenly - a baby's cry! It's the boy that Pa wanted!<br /><br />The girls peek around the quilt door to see the new baby.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqrDNb7HqC1HjLdcs8zBHpHdfyAwQRIALcJM5YlTEm4MNeMKdA205wG-Kvm85Plmdx2oCHFFgeFs5pBGMfYOGtO6e-d_SnYxN-nzJGWtB0jJdTy4w2wJNdE5NqpVp9TY6kQVQ_FuUY9yg/s1600-h/girls.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272014104087294898" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqrDNb7HqC1HjLdcs8zBHpHdfyAwQRIALcJM5YlTEm4MNeMKdA205wG-Kvm85Plmdx2oCHFFgeFs5pBGMfYOGtO6e-d_SnYxN-nzJGWtB0jJdTy4w2wJNdE5NqpVp9TY6kQVQ_FuUY9yg/s320/girls.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br />Already Laura is less excited than the others. Carrie says: "Carrie's dolly!" but Pa shoots that idea down quickly and sternly: "No, Carrie. That is <u>my son</u>. <strong>Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ingalls</span>, Jr</strong>."<br /><br />The baby will be baptized on Sunday, Pa tells Nels <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Oleson</span> at the mercantile, while completely ignoring Laura's exhibition of flour-sack carrying strength. Pay attention, Pa, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cuz</span> I'm pretty sure that's something a boy would do. To make matters worse, Nels starts going on about how awesome a son is. Yeah, like he would know. Willie, ha! Everything a man could want? Keep wishing, Nels. And jeez, Laura is right there! Make her feel like shit, why don't ya?<br /><br />It's baptism day, and the church has a celebratory picnic. Harriet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Oleson</span> approaches Ma, pretending to want a look at the baby... but REALLY wanting to dis' Ma. Four kids now, eh? Country wives are kinda like brood mares. Harriet says,"In my case, Nellie and Willie are more than enough." Ma <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">snarkily</span> agrees. Burn!<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxo8gyakx1YENFOJ7pzEJeYikIOOemE407W0tV9AS93nIuOrDHHGvS_IgiN-6uRiHZrRX4nJ9_I-751YmqiTnIlEqkYfz6S5xYPu0DIoL252r1_nzT8sfIo84t1qs241ZDLfy-cAa4c5w/s1600-h/burn!.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272018612603206418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxo8gyakx1YENFOJ7pzEJeYikIOOemE407W0tV9AS93nIuOrDHHGvS_IgiN-6uRiHZrRX4nJ9_I-751YmqiTnIlEqkYfz6S5xYPu0DIoL252r1_nzT8sfIo84t1qs241ZDLfy-cAa4c5w/s320/burn!.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Mr. Edwards buys popcorn for the girls to celebrate their new brother. He's started calling the baby 'Freddie', for his middle name, Frederick. Ma hates it.<br /><br />Doc Baker comes by to check on Freddie. He's not gaining weight. It's probably something to do with Ma's milk, so he gives her some other stuff to try. Ma pays him in eggs, which she feels silly doing because Doc Baker gave them the chickens. Continuity for the win!<br /><br />Laura comes home from school and shows Pa a map of Walnut Grove that she made. But <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">OMG</span> - Freddie is drinking from a bottle! Can't miss that. Pa immediately runs into the bedroom, ignoring the hell out of Laura. Laura walks away sadly, rejected, and tosses her map into Plum Creek.<br /><br />That night Mary prays for God to make Freddie strong. And Laura kind of doesn't. Mary threatens to tattle to Ma and Pa that Laura didn't pray for Freddie. Yeah, well, Laura prayed for a sister and God didn't listen, so now she don't even care.<br /><br />Doc Baker comes back to the house with bad news. Freddie still isn't gaining weight. He's seen it before and there's nothing he can do.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LS2kKahm_mxsReowZrMEJZ0rTzsSZ3P9GvpJG_0qfEVPmTDwvNBM0mTdjwaskzLuHD-WsXwiGRTA9k09gDrABPDnfh0ZEg0TTsj1LH1rJ04gD_yeyNgM3Hz8ojzb42lKDh1U8rpPcgnS/s1600-h/doc.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272022843976053554" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LS2kKahm_mxsReowZrMEJZ0rTzsSZ3P9GvpJG_0qfEVPmTDwvNBM0mTdjwaskzLuHD-WsXwiGRTA9k09gDrABPDnfh0ZEg0TTsj1LH1rJ04gD_yeyNgM3Hz8ojzb42lKDh1U8rpPcgnS/s320/doc.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Sometimes a country doctor feels so useless! The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ingallses</span> just cannot depend on this guy when it comes to babies. Good thing Mary and Laura were born out of state. Ma and Pa leave the girls with Grace Snider, and take Freddie to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mankato</span>. Freddie dies in the hospital, and Ma and Pa return home alone. Mary cries, and Laura runs off, and I bet this whole scene is pretty awkward for Grace Snider.</p><p align="left">Next Sunday, the family attends church. It's time for another Alden sermon: "It isn't enough to say 'I'm sorry, Lord', and then continue your sins until the following Sunday." But you can work together with the Lord and all things will be possible. "Remember I said <u>ALL THINGS</u>."</p><p align="left">Laura has been wracked with guilt over not praying for Freddie, so she stays after church to talk to the Rev. She has a question. Alden is pleased that Laura paid attention to his sermon, because so many people don't. Yeah, get over it, Alden. Stop scaring the child. Laura wants to know how to get a miracle. Well, "The closer you are to God, the more likely he is to listen."</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVizVx67S8tE6BNMhGt9VFaVz3HEyeD6P6ESC9f1KqGZkOlCV7HxixUN3YJPv8sZsdv1FMJsjKT3XtsmvPbTzHMBdp2wKGMYuc88meJn-2UEnmDAsFbzCJXO0LIw-lU18Zr_AA1S6f2pHR/s1600-h/stay+tuned+for+the+next+episode.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272028805833986738" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVizVx67S8tE6BNMhGt9VFaVz3HEyeD6P6ESC9f1KqGZkOlCV7HxixUN3YJPv8sZsdv1FMJsjKT3XtsmvPbTzHMBdp2wKGMYuc88meJn-2UEnmDAsFbzCJXO0LIw-lU18Zr_AA1S6f2pHR/s320/stay+tuned+for+the+next+episode.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-19896625603696721762008-11-22T21:40:00.006-04:002008-11-23T01:45:44.346-04:00The Award (Season 1, Episode 12)<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtVGO4MzDBd3nwEukq0IwSCF84inXGXNdEqoOUGo7LvnxPOdZq8i2hky1lRUOhP_nUmUC47FA3XiCQWVXkDUEZhhsUCSCDsa0p_ti4bWljmreGXM4pC2u_Y4kWp-QStczIhRDr4P2oqUe/s1600-h/award+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271697335232843378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtVGO4MzDBd3nwEukq0IwSCF84inXGXNdEqoOUGo7LvnxPOdZq8i2hky1lRUOhP_nUmUC47FA3XiCQWVXkDUEZhhsUCSCDsa0p_ti4bWljmreGXM4pC2u_Y4kWp-QStczIhRDr4P2oqUe/s320/award+title.JPG" border="0" /></a></center><p>'What is this titular "award"?' is a question I'm sure anyone reading this will be asking herself. Lemme fill you in, Miss-Beadle-Brings-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Da</span>-Damn-Drama style:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271578754587074786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k4Ovcn2WkeFGpeNuPjCBK3O6NxstitWQ3zCI4WeLsKLc_-yQUXj7cKaQ2sVGq_E-hyB9gqZga7jVYkqcjdrxHI7vWL8B25ZzfWGCG0hA5oBj9GNEnnn1WJeeBup01lS5hRSLn2fp5y3J/s320/beadle.JPG" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271576064094867058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2BVZ_fZ7C854xWe8AitrJP4PUQUn-hP2JUPExtyBoIhUwKzdOfHqsOTKuQ_33bqktZBOhZAGXsZUfktCkLU6UoSrzjY1LEvq0SHPToiXqYmnZthJB9nKt4KhwphvMoqiVR-nDUMnrvYf/s320/book.JPG" border="0" /><br />And it's not even abridged! Q: So, how does one get in on possibly winning this award? A: A very comprehensive test will take place in three weeks. The student with the best grade will be awarded this very fine dictionary.<br /><br /><p>Mary starts studying like a child obsessed. She even borrows a classy-looking American history textbook from Miss Beadle's personal collection. Day and night, Mary studies. One Friday evening, Mary's lamplight annoys Laura late into the night. Mary pretends to go to bed, only to sneak out to the barn to keep reading after Laura falls back to sleep. </p><p>What's Rule #1 of being an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ingalls</span> kid? Come on, guys, chime in. No, not "cash on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">barrel</span>", but that's a good one. <u>No matches.</u> That's right!</p><p>Mary falls asleep, slumping sideways over Miss Beadle's fancy book. She <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stretches</span> her legs and - oh no! She's kicked over the lantern! Fire everywhere! </p><p>Ma runs outside to get the animals out of the barn, while Mary and Laura bring buckets of water. Once the crisis is handled, Mary confesses that it's her fault that the barn caught fire. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271583952178403570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsNvtnx63iC3tH3AF6ye8PRwOmns4_LAYGKC94qv15t0jNQOTT5w6hK5yH1tS2RXuXk7uep4ISZUPEMl10EmStlengjCAFQx_XQbEslCu8x5DtFSLmYvLqTvlyml7taKraUUBROAf0JoQ/s320/cry.JPG" border="0" /><br />Ma's heard enough. Mary can forget that examination! She is to tell Miss Beadle that she won't be participating tomorrow at school. I don't remember Laura ever being so lippy - maybe it's because Pa's in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mankato</span> on official Hansen mill business and she thinks she can get away with it - but she starts heckling Ma because "tomorrow is Saturday". </p><p>In the morning, Mary rakes up the burnt hay - and finds Miss Beadle's history book, burnt to death, under the rubble! OH NO! </p><p>After church on Sunday, Ma stays to talk to the Rev. She lost her temper with Mary. And she NEVER loses her temper. She regrets saying that Mary can't take the examination. Rev Alden uses his manipulative authority to convince Ma that, yeah, Mary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">coulda</span> died. But she didn't. By being alive, she can still be punished! Punish-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ment</span>! Punish-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ment</span>! Alden's kinda psycho. He's sure that if Ma took back the punishment, then she would be a joke to her children for the rest of forever and they'd never take her seriously again. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Cuzz</span> Alden watches a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Supernanny</span>.</p><p>Monday morning Mary is still depressed about the test. Laura takes her into the mercantile to split a penny's worth of licorice. Laura still owes Mary half a penny from when Mary bought the slate pencil on the first day of school. Continuity! </p><p>Nels <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Oleson</span> has a HELP WANTED sign up. Nellie can't help out in the store until after the test. I thought Nellie just heckled poor customers and ate jawbreakers whenever she was in the shop. I don't call that working. Oh well. Mary wants the job, and Nels agrees as long as Ma says it's all right. </p><p>It's OK by Ma, so Mary starts work the next day after school. Miss Beadle comes in for a pound of white sugar, and starts <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">harassing</span> Mary. Like threateningly: "When do you study? When do you find time to study? You haven't answered my question yet." Mary starts using her work time to read the schoolbooks for sale in the mercantile.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271591484588030690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPiKzpdb8jGfrPbDLd-xBquh1BySFUzWMqf0qDp6Ru4hpoYD3SldjY-NkTa5uESMLGsSA50LP7bEeGBWRBO0pgf1WHbH26vt6zhUo55E0-Hf7LphcQ1gt0jlk8AbNQonhikfBXulWW8q4/s320/library.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Mary plans to disobey Ma and take the test, so she can avoid telling the Bead that her history book got cremated. By the time the test is over, Mary will have her mercantile money and be able to buy a new copy. </p><p>Now it's montage time! Mary works, and does chores, and studies in an endless cycle of time. Mary gets paid the day before the test and buys the history book to replace Miss Beadle's. Ma finds Mary's leftover 50¢ piece from the mercantile, and, unaware that Mary had already spent $1 on the textbook, thinks that Nels <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Oleson</span> is running some kind of rip-off operation. </p><p>It's also test day. Mary is at rest, like a test-taking machine, while Laura badgers her: "Aren't you coming?" as the non-test-taking students leave the classroom. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271650003901255986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdUIujsTTJ6K9IsvhnlMOuXKnkv7x32Bv81Gz0dVNAVVIOC52K1JdmZVm3v6HWaJwxjHdQaKwpVW9WZQlyTM6alU_uak5U4Ye-l5IYxqurGPwjQ8whTIpX97KlgdpUIxvHEEXP59sgaM_/s320/machine.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Ma decides to take the eggs into town to sell at the mercantile, and slip some derogatory remarks about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Nels's</span> cheapskate character in at the same time. Nels doesn't take the bait, which he easily could have. If I were him, I would called for Harriet and had her lay Ma out with a hard right hand, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">whatev</span>.</p><p>After leaving the mercantile, Ma notices Laura sitting on the school steps while the other kids enjoy recess. She asks where Mary is, and Laura tells her. Ma storms up the stairs. Ma, no. This will embarrass Mary in front of all the smart, promising kids in the class! It's gonna be hard enough on her when she needs to get glasses soon! Don't make it worse!</p><p>Ma looks into the classroom, unnoticed, and sees Mary writing on her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">test paper</span>. She quietly leaves, saying nothing to Laura as she passes her on the way out. </p><p>So, the test has been graded, and Miss Beadle is about to announce the winner. Here's the deal: like 20 girls took the test. And one guy. Who won the very fine dictionary, pictured at the top of this post? Arnold whoever. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Niiiice</span>. Mary runs from the classroom.<br /><br />Miss Beadle tells Laura to stay after class. She drives Laura home in her buggy. Ma comes out to meet them. Miss Beadle shows Ma Mary's test, which is a note to Miss Beadle saying that she can't take the test. Aw, Ma is so proud. But - where is Mary? </p><p>Laura watches Carrie at home, while Ma looks for Mary. She finds her in a field, and they run toward each other and hug.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271661043316738562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v9WJ4k__vKb9k-ThfEIAfDfiPCl0o8V8Z0cNoPA9BSfFkE1fHXSQex0JEwXpRN0BWHOAc6klmwhuP-vQP1V_AYHu421jbj7x1rcGUkpo31KlYWbw9ULIljcozjE7h7PvGo3WYgJJDT13/s320/run.JPG" border="0" /><br />That's kinda cheesy, even for Little House on the Prairie.<br /><br /><p>And, to make up for no Pa in this one, here's a delicious picture:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271661535100668178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnsih2PfTC6z5-zVtOiBqJD0HMcytSiNSDyh3eAM50O2Df05O8jBNR3VG5l75Sxf08mNo7uYIwSPEcbUfRidgTGWv1mgJL0it0amiX0ZjSO5nIGvs_t3VFKblYyj2WEAXExsWOwS-4yqC/s320/hotpa.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Yeeeah</span>.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-49149372426473000282008-10-31T23:14:00.003-03:002008-10-31T23:26:46.525-03:00The Voice of Tinker Jones (Season 1, Episode 11)<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaMZy5F3kvyBuD6CGHsEajzhE9Y2OSGZDpOVS_AupxH_IVnLvVg-2mjGAQsJYtnpdyxdNNnNFVgKA4K7KNO5IER9pp8fw1t7_h9TbnVFzTXLkW1DlwTTKWftgj3Facf17yb20gUQFCVVI/s1600-h/tinker+jones+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261508096344798050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaMZy5F3kvyBuD6CGHsEajzhE9Y2OSGZDpOVS_AupxH_IVnLvVg-2mjGAQsJYtnpdyxdNNnNFVgKA4K7KNO5IER9pp8fw1t7_h9TbnVFzTXLkW1DlwTTKWftgj3Facf17yb20gUQFCVVI/s320/tinker+jones+title.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>The most PADDED episode yet opens with a deaf guy (pictured above) showing up at the little house in his tinker wagon. I guess Ma had special-ordered a copper pot, and now it's come in. Ma and Pa talk to the guy as though he's gonna suddenly start hearing, like just repeating stuff. "It's good craftsmanship... craftsmanship... craftsmanship."<br /><br />Tinker Jones has a special no-charge gift for each of the girls: horse figurines for Mary and Laura, and when Carrie makes the surliest chubby baby face (and it's actually kinda cute, I think... Oy! I'm scaring myself. Maybe I need to do a Little House marathon of annoying Carrie episodes to put my mind straight), Tinker Jones gives her a little fishie.<br /><br />Apparently the Rev Alden is still only visiting Walnut Grove monthly. Mr. Dorfler is sleeping in the first pew, so Alden assaults him to wake him up.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263494062702723986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3e1PlKD6-OO69PaUj-MBxSDVXQmWsa6fi6vO5gL1EfUwS15LQfwBL7p4AaGgQWfMfdhOJCMjJ4BkNjJd88rMZCEh2VhehyVSyzExAG-US1Sgxysy-QauOsH8WegpfeE9HByIC5UPFzqo/s320/capture1.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Alden talks his scary bible talk, then moves on to trying to extort a church bell from the citizens of Hero Township. Harriet Oleson immediately offers a donation of a bell, and a plaque dedicating it in her name. </p><p>Mr. Kennedy, father of Mary's friend Christy, steps up to say that because it is, you know, the house of the lord and all that, that one person's name shouldn't be on the church. Dorfler feels entitled to an opinion: let the Olesons donate the jeezly bell. They know quality. It would be a wicked bell, for certain. </p><p>Kennedy responds in an angry manner, and a major throwdown is narrowly avoided only because they're still inside the church walls. Alden will not allow any misbehaviour. </p><p>As the townspeople exit the church, Alden tells the Tinker how nice it is that he never misses a service. Well, they must be those Sleepy Eye services, because no way has this guy been here before. It's, like, 10 episodes into the series, and I seriously can't figure out how the writers were still coming up with original fake backstories for new characters every single week. And they do it for 10 years!!</p><p>So, no arguing in the church, but outside is FAIR GAME. Dorfler and Kennedy get waaaayyy into it. Kennedy: "Oleson's not gonna run my religion, I tell you!" Dorfler: "It's a plaque! You don't even have to look at it!" </p><p>Miss Beadle would enjoy having a bell for school purposes. Yeah, Bead, you REALLY wish. That's sacrilegious-ish. Harriet gathers her family and leaves the conversation in disgust. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263500671792401298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fR7FrPZVVeau8Klnly-Ml9fr5kpz_Uuy5jIV8oA0EM5GHAwT2xTkxuCN4_Ylwl6Nnoe9D6hQMV9BVkBcLfSOOXPsY_aLMbGc8jZIBiGI_5he0tYln7EpNLk-mY7CZtyxoJmrVco4_McF/s320/capture1.JPG" border="0" /> Later, the Rev pays a visit to Charles. Obviously any social problem can only be solved with the help of Charles Ingalls. The townspeople are choosing sides! The Olesons have threatened to attend a different church if their offer is rejected! Alden wants what's best, but doesn't know what to do!<br /><br /></p><p>Pa calls a meeting to discuss the bell. There's a little gem of a scene where Pa goes to Kennedy's, who is chopping wood, and tells him about the meeting. He doesn't want to attend because he will never to agree to an Oleson bell. Or <em>"We don' wan' no Oleson bay-ell!!"</em> as he puts it. </p><p>Pa officiates the meeting, which quickly descends into craziness. Kennedy can't "keep a civil tongue". The Olesons storm out... well, Harriet does. Nels just goes along. Hansen tells everyone to keep it down in the house of the lord, then starts yelling like a lunatic. It goes so poorly that people are going to write to Alden's superior to have him removed. Which seems like a giant, ridiculous leap, even for the tools of Hero Township.</p><p>Even the children get involved. Some of the schoolgirls aren't allowed to play with Mary and Laura anymore because of what Charles said about the bell. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263503718161112242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwr23Jq4dKQbNxOzTHHi1YeadJd8znewXFnWi36uF2ohH6I63W_5lMEgF3ks0muhIiZDk1RG2sXJymL1EoYZ7ORiJy6pLLpsSL0H7LD9Qj7NvDWLRXiG5YTCrh5591V_6i4Xw2nc6jURY/s320/capture.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>The next church service has only 10 worshipers, and 5 of them are freakin' Ingallses! Rev Alden visits the Ingalls family at home, and Charles tells him that they will do their own thing at home from now on. </p><p>So, it's war in Walnut Grove. </p><p>And it's also a 20 minute "Tinker Jones Makes a Bell" montage. He gathers up all the toys he's given to children during his visits. Kids steal pots from their parents. Scrap metal is burgled from all over the town. The melted metal fills a bell mold, while the kids poorly act the state of amazement. "Oooooh!" "Pretty!" "Wow!" </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263507214912378226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL9rxkMdvmLwMR2Xzcwau4ETAqdOGABz1xRunCbvnAIvehq4fczJ3bSAkUHr9tKk6OoSfXmH8dDcFf43XYT-xSXmaKngJylJNvbZ8zg9IQQ373W0vW_wK1K3qCMR7NpHK5ggbr_fhaapu/s320/capture.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>This bell is The Voice of Tinker Jones telling everyone to get over themselves. The town is happy again. And no one had to pay anything... other than the money they're going to have to spend to replace all the metal goods their kids stole. So, Tinker Jones wins. And we never see him again... ever!</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-10498214688727612862008-10-19T09:10:00.014-03:002008-10-20T11:18:37.275-03:00The Racoon (Season 1, Episode 10)<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpcdeomFyg5ScjiVuOtvAO2JOoC4T7La0OyY0SYj9IvjMl-UGTJaAafRXFlKoO6mupoIQsfLk69KtQ2SdbKSRXoLvYIVX1Vq60BfZNSt1eDpX3xUAcqPsha-Q2Oi5Iphje701bouJm2Ns/s1600-h/the+raccoon+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258836374378622738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpcdeomFyg5ScjiVuOtvAO2JOoC4T7La0OyY0SYj9IvjMl-UGTJaAafRXFlKoO6mupoIQsfLk69KtQ2SdbKSRXoLvYIVX1Vq60BfZNSt1eDpX3xUAcqPsha-Q2Oi5Iphje701bouJm2Ns/s320/the+raccoon+title.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Laura owns a beautiful porcelain doll named possibly "Janet". Maybe "Janice". No subtitles, so I'm on my own to decide. It doesn't matter, cuz that thing's getting busted to bits forthwith, when Laura accidentally falls on her while playing catch with Mary. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258837739387588594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_fV6sjBacpaoZ_9o6xuFEN4CwolRUTZv92azbV6qvAVBPM469tl1nyQsp9hlIXJE-aCh8-xe-KLtoSK77ibbIMun0WjCnB_1TzFoMZmpkRLzDTmN9CmsFaOna0IQ-1BKME4kvHI9_ILA/s320/throw.JPG" border="0" />As much as I dislike the expression, I think this is what "throwing like a girl" looks like. What the hell is Mary doing? The ball is in her left hand, by the way. The one that's waayyyy sideways behind her head. WTF? </p><p>That night, Pa tries to put the doll's head back together. There's no way, and he can't spare the cash to replace it.</p><p>Mary visits the mercantile and finds out that a new doll costs $1.20. Luckily she finds something better on the way home from school: a baby raccoon (and episode title be damned, I'm spelling it with two Cs!). She brings it home as a gift for Laura. Seriously, can Mary do anything right?</p><p>Laura loves the raccoon. She names him Jasper and makes plans to have him sleep in her bed.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258840370499539922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zzqBbCb6LrlDhxh5XkD_owdsm24UZdwURXfi3frcDdqKctsdLc5FRCneGU4i99nHkbEFhyphenhyphenoENYnotA4GF3wvCNFQXHCeD6yRE1O7jhiUKZ9-gRwa_2hWABvQ1SgNF9qtvFt-jlV7tR5G/s320/laura.JPG" border="0" /> When Pa gets home, he puts his foot down. That's a <u>wild</u> animal with no place being in the house. Pa tells her to turn him loose in the woods. But he's just a baby! Pa wouldn't leave Carrie alone in the woods, would he? <p>Pa changes his mind, and says that the girls can keep Jasper until he's big enough to hold his own in the woods. He's not allowed in the house, though. That's rule #1. God, these Ingallses have gone from meddling in the lives of the human inhabitants of Walnut Grove, to getting all up in the animals' business too. </p><p>The girls, dressed in their winter duds, are going to take Jasper to school to show off some of the tricks he's learned. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258843167678651986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDPG0zowztfYhqKzMiAEOwyb73qR7sKooVee2unuwCmGA3Fz-8NJiMzWq963wE2r3QGFhILSfFgYNaXTllxIC_UbwKxQnq4ISCgbHQREqBSrIo7MZDV9KiOTytOikWTBvPuuQQvGpJTq2/s320/capture.JPG" border="0" /></p>The schoolchildren marvel as Jasper eats an egg, while Miss Beadle assigns the homework. The kids bumrush Jasper and he snarls at them viciously.<br /><br />On Sunday when the family is at church, Jasper wreaks havoc at home. He chases the chickens, then decides to B & E the little house. He better not make a mess in there, so help me God.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258846347791430082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UdtIpKGK6YxKs-rbaLgaScuW5tNv6U5n4zF3UJhpXFKjTc5gNkgtEpYfOJm7sk6uRsg47DuLkGVUJofI7dgZdInjT29v_92wuw1JpHOg2a1jxAGS0rWqo8mQNmKLRk3997xNRdYjjcdd/s320/b+and+e.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Jack goes ballistic outside until the Ingalls family gets home. They enter the house to find... a mess. Oh shit. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258847200320709250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMPhEJvJAnMJsAkOx37WCJzWpQjp_lVQgM8OxgMVeH1nMkeOp3ks6Izv2bzYmyUjzCp8aE5wH-d1NcVSl5N1pD8p0u7i7HQXy-HrEXaq_gY6IAaAhXTiId8YfIZHzYafEutJO3nqEM-M5/s320/mess.JPG" border="0" />Pa puts Jasper in a burlap bag and drives him to the woods to release him. By the time Pa gets back to the little house, Jasper is already there. Pa relents and decides to build Jasper a cage, so he can live in the barn. </p><p>Jack still hates Jasper's guts. Mary has to hold Jack back when Laura opens the cage to feed the raccoon. Jasper lashes out and bites Laura, escapes the cage, tussles with Jack and bites him, then runs away. Laura makes Mary promise not to tell, and they just pretend that Jasper ran off. Mary sucks, so she spills it to Pa a few hours later that Jasper bit Jack. </p><p>That night, "Jasper" comes back to attack the chickens. It's all action when Pa leaps from bed, shirtless, to run to the barn. The raccoon is up in the loft. It jumps at Pa, and Pa stabs it repeatedly with a pitchfork. </p><p>Pa finds that the raccoon was rabid. He ties Jack in the barn. When Mary comes out to do chores in the AM, she starts to untie Jack. Pa tells her no, Jack may have rabies. </p><p>Mary does her best first cry telling Pa that Jasper bit Laura, too. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258851054875263010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oobctbPRVsguo7wwPVUqNMja06Gh2W-OlLjlyKuVQuQ_9KLu0XvxDBcSNOlivPab61x1YoVx7RuFuObXhaihjdICsvKJBqXs9N5bkqulJow8pI0xApK_9740MqLFBqviGxnwlsPzuEqR/s320/m+cry.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Ma and Pa take Laura to Doc Baker. It will take 3 weeks to a month to find out if Laura is affected. If Jack develops symptoms in the next week or so, then Laura probably will too. There is no treatment. </p><p>Laura stays in bed day after day. If Laura's rabid, why the hell is Mary still sharing a bed with her? </p><p>Jack starts jumping and barking in the barn. Pa preps his gun. Jeez, Pa. Jack's probably just upset because he's not used to being tied up. Pa goes to the barn, and Jasper is on the ledge doing his "cover the eyes" trick that Laura taught him. So, Jack has a last minute pardon. There were two raccoons: Jasper, and the one that attacked the chickens. Laura isn't sick, and the Ingalls family learns an important lesson about wild animals. </p><p>Oh, and: we never have to see Jasper again.</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-10385700625031612822008-10-04T22:42:00.019-03:002008-10-05T00:18:27.425-03:00School Mom (Season 1, Episode 9)<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1qbDULIlHc2dnppDsLxN4f9W5MbXDrDNlE8mhzheEuV59iHE5jxzRiCLKWQTV-MrpwIDpDSpftxwWfLzBTdhBMRbbYod-bgv1dWVNBi0hLf4spoWYEIE3iWm68hnAPwVTj4op1F3Z_su/s1600-h/school+mom.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253479479220029106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1qbDULIlHc2dnppDsLxN4f9W5MbXDrDNlE8mhzheEuV59iHE5jxzRiCLKWQTV-MrpwIDpDSpftxwWfLzBTdhBMRbbYod-bgv1dWVNBi0hLf4spoWYEIE3iWm68hnAPwVTj4op1F3Z_su/s320/school+mom.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />Miss Beadle innocently locks up the schoolhouse, while her horse and buggy sit benignly in the foreground. But disaster strikes! As Miss Beadle situates herself into the buggy, the children's horseplay spooks the real horse, causing it to bolt!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253480301679924498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6urKVFGil_F-favAShc_dMn30zdQS5LXqNq2WR6DzW6C_YbCU3DkwNPuDEW3SSPZVP2KT0Fwoheb3XfQxVFBCDCJERBfJ9zZiiW4VlFtELO_z34E8HtSSxwQu92TNTcmIJ-jZKtnKOzdP/s320/beadle+airborne.bmp" border="0" /> <center>Doing her own stunts!</center></div><div align="left"><br /></div><p>The Bead will be out of teaching commission for a while with a sprained ankle. Doc Baker insists that she stay home from school. Um, whatever. I'm pretty sure that crutches have existed since the beginning of leg injuries. Anyway, it seemed like a good reason for the school board (Doc Baker, Hansen, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Olesons</span>) to offer Ma the sub job, and hence we have "<em>School Mom</em>".<br /><br />Ma isn't sure about taking the job, but Harriet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oleson</span> is up to her old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bitchery</span>, speculating that Ma will show favouritism for her own daughters in the classroom. That's enough to convince Ma that she has to prove Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Oleson</span> wrong.<br /><br />The next morning, Nellie and Willie are gossiping. They think Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ingalls</span> doesn't know the new teaching methods and isn't fit to be a teacher. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, for starters, what the hell kind of grade A education do they think they're getting from Beadle? And what kind of kids - then, now, or EVER - give a shit about how qualified their teacher is? Particularly back then. Half the class missed 5 months of school every haying season, or whatever the hell crops they used to grow.<br /><br />Ma convinces the kids to give her a chance by hitting a ball with the stick.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253484599097674034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdLdGa2wD00V86kpqm9nVgnk6hfzYPl9h2mSvYbTUqchSd9tzcP9wBkwEZsDmS0KAl0dBwi8WVnHK-TtUOzRriSuHdhOa29dARHc-E0k8fEqx2twlP6YCsVTYfQ0PSYuUrdShGBLVr7yd/s320/ma.JPG" border="0" /> In the classroom, it's reading lesson time. Ma picks Abel McKay. All the asshole kids in the class start <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">teeheeing</span> in anticipation. Like seriously, the entire class giggling their 5 year old asses off. He hasn't even READ anything yet. Wait for him to screw up, then heckle him with specificity based on his errors. That's how you do it. Punks! Abel runs from the school in humiliation. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253485605778520642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe4yDndqi3aYijxrKn9VlMK47j3aCRUT5iDJOMwg8WPx4kzVKzZws5gShf_EzT7Te94Gj8CW6UFz2B8JQEV7XVH7Vfvq-Ge5gQkjQRbA72OvsTvcuGQTldomEjDybCVpuNSbet_xB79Xi/s320/abel.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Ma feels like a failure. She visits Miss Beadle to get advice. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Beadizzle</span> says that Abel isn't "backwards", he just never comes to school. The rest of the conversation - who cares? Where did Miss Beadle, a single schoolteacher, get all this great stuff? She got way nicer shit than - well, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Ingalls</span> family, for one. But also me! Her stuff is way nicer than my shit. And check out that pile of cookies on the left!!! Curtains! Flowers! Doilies! How high maintenance was Miss Beadle that she required such luxuries?!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253487400590214066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKqa7lpucL0SMujnawEuYz76PME1iBUVpDjbrFjsYBZfko-ti8f9k2RnVEicWACIFS9cE5pfEkn2ou8EBJZqX8ViOcnF0G0sPveqAkwLVP16H7IuF3DDFbyUUJp39dhUa8zpXsRt3Pu9Q/s320/capture.JPG" border="0" />That night, Ma tells Pa about the situation. Mary and Laura aren't too concerned: it's only "Dumb" Abel. Harsh! Ma threatens the girls with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">gobful</span> of soap, and Pa sends them into the house. </p><p>The only way to fix the situation is to go to Abel McKay's place and talk to him. Ma meets the father first. The guy is obsessed with savvy. He is a <em>major</em> fan of the savvy. All a man truly needs in life is savvy. Abel's special talent is working with clay. Ma convinces him that if he can do that then he can learn. </p><p>Ma plans to get the whole class in on it. They will ALL help Abel to learn. Over the next few days, Ma conducts some very basic lessons to include Abel and not make him feel like such a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">stupidass</span>. </p><p>But Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Oleson</span> is once again up to her old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">bitchery</span> and busts into the classroom. She bashes Abel and disses Ma for babying him at the expense of the other children's education. Ma is all controlled anger and intact dignity. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253493562721314354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9yJWYeGzv9gu7Xk0nQWyDZxwm2U_0kpvzvyJKl7TR4Tn0H5YKE2Ku5Uf4ImzW5bSG5RPpWt3JncQjZPkWU52uDWM4N47CgXFjPXaI-kPXjj0mCmYX3gPSWEn1ulT-vNkJnpHySzPNmp0/s320/capture.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>The kids don't know the meanings of the words on the board, and Ma doesn't think Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Oleson</span> does either. Ma dismisses school, then quits. </p><p>That evening, the school board shows up at the little house, begging Ma to continue teaching. There are conflicting reports. Ma uses an analogy to explain the situation. She asks Hansen to imagine that he is working in the mill making flour when someone comes in to the grinding room. Hansen cannot imagine it: "I do not allow anyone in the grinding room while I am working. It is a rule", but goes along with the scenario anyway. This uninvited person throws a rock into the millstones and screws everything up. What does Hansen do? His reaction is to toss the person into the street by the collar and ass of their pants. Well, Ma's a lady and Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Oleson's</span> twice her size, so that wasn't a legitimate option. Maybe if Abel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">woulda</span> stuck around to help. </p><p>Hansen accuses Harriet: "You interfered" and asks Ma to come back. Ma can't. She's lost the pupil who needed her the most. </p><p>That night, Pa tells Ma that he'd heard that school will continue as planned - with Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Oleson</span> as the teacher! Well, if that doesn't convince Ma to go back... </p><p>When Caroline takes the eggs to the mercantile in the morning, she sees Harriet haplessly ringing the school bell. Yeah, Nellie and Willie kinda let it slip that she was going to be teaching. Hence, no students. </p><p>On the way back to the little house, Ma meets Abel. He's shaped letters A to F out of clay to give to Ma. They talk about how Ma felt she wasn't fit as a teacher and Abel felt he wasn't fit as a student, and they both agree that maybe they don't suck as much as they thought they did. </p><p>Unreal as it is, Miss Beadle's sprain still isn't healed, and there's enough time for Ma to go back to teaching. And even Abel returns and makes some major headway learning geography. ("The capital of the United States is Washington, DC, but New York has more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">peop</span> - population.")</p><p>Miss Beadle is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">fina</span>-freaking-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">lly</span> ready to get back to her job, and Abel reads a thank you letter to Ma, while the class applauds. No more drama. </p><p>And we'll never see (optional moniker: "Dumb") Abel McKay again. </p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-5489620547995072792008-09-18T20:59:00.003-03:002008-09-19T12:56:14.662-03:00Ma's Holiday (Season 1, Episode 8)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDxBrR986cfBNfxD8ICgonki3eRrRVMxy1ns6RJHt2I7YJZnBP99rThmQUEB7ZEiNX1kJGPmTVZaSXQKZsflKgWa2mqDpAgTxrF653TueXJ67nwpsTTtK23lcfitxCePUhTGKd0fuD3VY/s1600-h/ma"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247515730134657858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDxBrR986cfBNfxD8ICgonki3eRrRVMxy1ns6RJHt2I7YJZnBP99rThmQUEB7ZEiNX1kJGPmTVZaSXQKZsflKgWa2mqDpAgTxrF653TueXJ67nwpsTTtK23lcfitxCePUhTGKd0fuD3VY/s320/ma's+holiday.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><p>Pa and the kids are sitting at the table, looking shifty. Ma says they look like they have something up their sleeves, but I think they look like a bunch of creeps. Pa's taking Ma on a holiday to Mankato. He even calls it a "second honeymoon". </p><p>It's all planned. The Widow Snider will watch the children, but oh no! When Pa goes to pick her up, she has a sore throat. At home, Ma is all dressed up and giving the girls a bunch of last-minute instructions. It's going to be so hard for Pa to tell her she can't go... but wait! I hear something... is that - "Old Dan Tucker"? </p><p>Mr. Edwards, you are in the right place at the possible worst time. The girls beg him to stay with them so Ma can have her holiday, and he pretty much says he will. He's laid off from the mill and needs something to do. </p><p>So, Ma and Pa leave in the buggy, trusting Edwards to watch the girls. Which, like, what? Is that even intelligent? </p><p>At dinner, Mr. Edwards tells some story about being trapped under a tree and being rescued by Indians, who named him "Sitting Bull". Yeah, this frickin' story sounds like sitting bull to me. Carrie is fussy, so Edwards tells her, "Open up yer face". I gotta admit: I love Mr. Edwards. Old out-of-shape, uncouth, sauce-lovin', Old Dan Tucker singin' bastard. And he rocks a full beard. </p><p>That night, after Carrie is tucked in, the girls want a bedtime story. Edwards says no, and no backtalk. Laura convinces him to listen to their prayers and kiss them goodnight before he's had enough, now get in the goddamn loft, girls. </p><p>We catch up with Ma and Pa, who are camping out. Ma sits straight up, nightmare-style, and screams: "THE EGGS!" Pa makes her agree to not worry about the kids <u>anymore</u>.</p><p>Carrie's crying wakes up Mr. Edwards, who gets up to tend to her wearing, like, a onesie long john sleeping outfit. Carrie is hungry, so Edwizzle dishes up some leftovers. When he goes to feed her, she's back to sleep again. Edwards's thwartment is emphasized with a lighthearted woodwind instrumental of Old Dan Tucker. </p><p>A bunch o' stuff happens, like Ma and Pa dine in a restaurant and joke about the portion sizes. And Mr. Edwards does laundry, shoots a rattler, and makes supper. Rattler soup is grody, btw. </p><p>At bedtime, Laura wants Edwards to read a story to Carrie. Which he obviously can't. <a href="http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10183">Both of you know he canna read a word</a>. </p><p>The next day, Ma and Pa shop for souvenirs. Ma tries on a bonnet in a store run by a kindly shopkeeper who tends a lady who is mentally ill from grief. She spends her days looking for her children, who are dead, but she can't accept it because she wasn't at home the day they died. Ma's high strung as hell about it, and leaves without buying anything. </p><p>That night, Mary and Laura are tucked in bed when they realize they didn't gather the eggs! OMG, Ma's worst nightmare has come true! It's a pouring storm out there, but they illegally light a lantern (no matches!) and go out to the coop. They wake up Mr. Edwards and he thinks it's chicken thieves. He gets his shotgun ready. Mary and Laura sneak back in, and Edwards shoots a hole through the ceiling. </p><p>Let's take a minute to talk about Carrie. Carrie sucks. Carrie is a frickin' tool. But in this episode Carrie is actually decent. Looking at this, you wouldn't think Carrie would become a walking prop who only spoke every 5 or so episodes, usually to say she wet her skirts or something. God, sometimes Laura would be so annoyed with Carrie it almost seemed like real life. Like Melissa Gilbert actually had a beef with the Greenbush twins that day. But I'll get more into that later on. </p><p>So, the next day Edwards has to fix the ceiling hole, but Carrie is hiding or lost. The second, more ominous verse of Old Dan plays, but it's not fooling me. Nothing's going to happen to Carrie. We're not that lucky. Edwards finds her and nails her dress to the roof so he can keep an eye on her while he works.</p><p>In Mankato, Ma and Pa go to some fiendish - I don't even know - puppet show, where the children whine at the mother for leaving. But she doesn't care and she has to live her own life. Ok, whatever. It really gets to Ma and she runs out crying. And that spells the end of Ma and Pa Ingalls's second honeymoon in Mankato.</p><p>Laura is selling eggs at the mercantile when she spots Pa's buggy in the distance. She asks Nels to stall them. She runs home, and the girls clean up quickly. Ma, Pa, and the kids have a happy reunion, and Pa lies to Mr. Edwards about having had a good trip. When really it was three nights of Caroline having nervous breakdowns every 14 seconds, and not the hot prairie sex he had obviously planned. Yeah, good times. </p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-83973017819744591342008-09-09T21:12:00.003-03:002008-09-10T10:27:58.469-03:00Town Party Country Party (Season 1, Episode 7)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVtx0qtv3n6IjR6f3i9c1BOugiBchNZ31-zvoZ8ka1biU0rJHXHbLmO2p_-fJqr478qo2kcMxvgTheY5VW8jXCrmmavcYMq7tQ9xbcDW1AiLC0objeU_X028QAFGenTvTo6YVqJHb1457/s1600-h/town+party.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244179576080276530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVtx0qtv3n6IjR6f3i9c1BOugiBchNZ31-zvoZ8ka1biU0rJHXHbLmO2p_-fJqr478qo2kcMxvgTheY5VW8jXCrmmavcYMq7tQ9xbcDW1AiLC0objeU_X028QAFGenTvTo6YVqJHb1457/s320/town+party.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Laura and some other girls are running a 4 X to-the-post relay, but not gimpy Olga. She sits alone until it's time for class, and then it takes her half the day to walk up the stairs to the classroom.<br /><br />The next day it's Nellie's birthday party, and all the girls in school are invited. As Mary and Laura get ready, they have to shine their shoes. Complete the phrase: "Shoes should shine like a..."? Laura guesses "Christmas penny". Wrong! The answer is "Sunday smile" and Ma is VERY firm about it.<br /><br />The girls arrive at Nellie's, where Nellie tosses their gifts aside. How rude! Willie and some of the girls are playing with an ark toy set (just kidding, they're obviously only <em>watching</em> Willie play with it) on the floor of the magnificent living room, with the nicest furniture of any furniture in any house in Walnut Grove.<br /><br />"And there's two of everything. Except for the giraffe because Nellie hid it on me 'cause she knew it was my favourite," says Willie, accentuating every word to the freaking max. I have never heard delivery like that. The cadence is killer.<br /><br />Nellie has a new doll, but no one can touch it or play with it. As she shows it to her guests, Laura touches the dress. Nellie pulls it away quickly and part of the trim is ripped. Nellie goes nuts and pushes Laura over. "Pa can fix it. He's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">finer'n</span> most with a needle," Laura offers, but Mrs. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oleson</span> rudely tells Laura off and makes all the kids go outside.<br /><br />Laura twisted her ankle when Nellie pushed her, so she sits with Olga while the other girls run around. After the party, Olga lies to her father and says that she played with all the girls, but he sees through it. He just doesn't want her to get hurt by being left out.<br /><br />Ma suggests that Mary and Laura could have a party. Laura is home from school because she can't walk on her ankle yet, but Mary invites all their school chums. Olga says that Nellie is poor because she has no happiness inside. She's a philosopher. I wish she would have stuck around. I love how sweet and soft-spoken she is.<br /><br />That evening, Pa is shoeing Patty, the horse. Her leg is bowed, so she wears a special shoe. Laura asks Pa, "What makes cripples?" He doesn't know. Laura mentions that Olga walked on a plank outside of Hansen's and she didn't limp at all, which gives Pa an idea...<br /><br />Charles visits Olga's pa and grandmother. Her pa won't let Charles fix her shoe so she can walk better. Later on, at the little house, Olga and her grandmother show up with a shoe for Pa to work on.<br /><br />The day of the party, Pa reveals the shoe he rigged up. It's basically a platform shoe. When she puts it on, she can walk across the floor of the little house no problem. While the family watches proudly and happily, Olga hugs Pa. I'm such a sap for stuff like this. Can someone pass me the Kleenex?<br /><br />The other party guests arrive, and Mary shows them the loft. One of the girls: "This is the kind Miss Beadle wears!" The bottle of lemon verbena, Laura's pretty much only possession. The girls go outside and play some tomboy game with running around bases. Olga is so awesome with her shoe that she beats Nellie, who becomes irritable and vindictive.<br /><br />After the game, Nellie suggests - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">oooh</span>, that bitch! - that they <em>take off their shoes</em> to wade in the creek. How evil can one kid be? In the water, Laura scares Nellie with a giant crab and Nellie falls <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">facedown</span> into the cruddy looking part of the creek.<br /><br />Back at Olga's, her father has done some footwear examination and found her extra pair to be missing. Now he's onto the scheme! He shows up at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ingalls's</span> with the intention to knock Chuck's block off. Pa is working, unsuspecting, in the barn, when a shadow darkens the doorway. The Russian (even though he's, like, Dutch) Terminator says: "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ingalls</span>. I told you not to meddle."<br /><br />The two men engage in some choking and eye-gouging, until they are interrupted by the sound of children's laughter. The kids are playing tag, Olga included. Her pa stops trying to kill Charles. He is moved beyond words.<br /><br />The party ends with Nellie giving a crazy outburst speech to warn Pa about the killer crab in the creek, followed by a curtsy.</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-53656733248934570972008-09-02T14:14:00.005-03:002008-09-02T14:31:27.718-03:00If I Should Wake Before I Die (Season 1, Episode 6)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5fgZ5GQHLgDE783xN-RCPfJVGdf8umyvJsfgyCX6gLb6qnmmXOENPPFjQ6fq-MCFy-OJCtoZ_Sf9rk4edYy3Jif03Ndp15X8Zo2tXfpJC5PugdxmarKsHUUqtDLWpORO6Ex8dGtUUVVf/s1600-h/if_i_should_die.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241476604036314546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5fgZ5GQHLgDE783xN-RCPfJVGdf8umyvJsfgyCX6gLb6qnmmXOENPPFjQ6fq-MCFy-OJCtoZ_Sf9rk4edYy3Jif03Ndp15X8Zo2tXfpJC5PugdxmarKsHUUqtDLWpORO6Ex8dGtUUVVf/s320/if_i_should_die.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>At the Ingalls's, an old woman is playing what I called a "lap harp", but later found out was an <em>auto</em>harp. Ma, Mary, Laura, and Carrie are singing along to <a href="http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/g015.html">Go Tell Aunt Rhody</a>. In that song, the goose dies. Laura is very sensitive about it and doesn't want to sing about death. I hear that: I <strong>hated</strong> <a href="http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/c020.html">The Cat Came Back</a> when I was little. Even though that's not death, just animal cruelty. I think I used to cry at school if we had to sing it. <em>That's</em> a sick song.<br /><br />Elsewhere in Walnut Grove, Pa and an old lady called Miss Amy are decorating a living room with construction paper chains. The occasion is an 80th birthday party for Miss Maddie, who is being distracted from her upcoming surprise party by having the Ingalls children pretend to care about the autoharp. Slick.<br /><br />Miss Maddie and Miss Amy are widow rooommates. Maddie is a Kentucky Presbytarian; Amy is Catholic and not from Kentucky, but somehow they get along. A sad news letter comes for Miss Maddie. Her daughter and grandchildren aren't going to be able to attend her birthday. Instead of partying alone, Miss Maddie dies in her chair.<br /><br />At Miss Maddie's funeral, Laura says how unfair it is that people can miss your birthday but not your funeral. These girls are so profound sometimes. Of course, this sparks an idea in Miss Amy's brain to fake her own death so that her children, including her son Andy who went to war 15 years ago and hasn't been seen since, will come to her funeral, but - HA! - she won't really be dead and then they'll have to visit with her.<br /><br />In the meantime, Pa orchestrates a plan to invite Miss Amy over every Sunday and make the girls visit her after school... and before school... and pretty much constantly. They can even miss school, just so this old lady won't be lonely and depressed.<br /><br />Miss Amy reveals her scheme to Doc Baker and Pa, who immediately say they won't have any part of it. She convinces them like suckers with some crap about 'you'd do for my corpse, but not for me'.<br /><br />Pa contacts, I dunno, the Makato diocese to find a Catholic priest to come officiate the "wake". The father comes to the little house to find out about Amy, but Ma and Pa can't lie to him. Miss Amy, who is listening from the other room, comes out and poses as an old friend of Amy's. She takes the father for a walk outside. Ma, Pa, and the kids think she's confessing and start hardcore munching on all the food Ma's been preparing for the wake for the last three days. Whoops! Turns out that Amy seriously told the priest all the good stuff about herself. Has she no shame?!<br /><br />To remind you what era we're dealing with here, Doc Baker and Nels Oleson have a conversation on the front steps of the mercantile about the introduction of paper money. Doc Baker prefers silver dollars. Nels, who never gets paid in chickens, says money's money and has no preference. <br /><br />So, the wake takes place, all of Miss Amy's children show up, she reveals herself from under a black veil, it's a jolly reunion, Pa is verklempt, and a-fiddlin' he will go. It's a right party from here to the end credits. And we'll never see Miss Amy again... for realz this time :) </div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-57865021064417237272008-08-24T19:12:00.004-03:002008-11-23T02:00:36.430-04:00The Love of Johnny Johnson (Season 1, Ep. 5)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uH5Btez7KQ25PGlndeOGj69FJkH4Lyo9Vo3N5wIpfAxi1rypc-oF9kwrdYA4RlqJ86hNn27HcGGqXcSjJGFM2kjuWnJIp7Yw4kkTuhUOLTpVk-2NYhLFZSIwjSVegmHdPWq6of8ZbRW5/s1600-h/johnnyjohnson.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238197303164884530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uH5Btez7KQ25PGlndeOGj69FJkH4Lyo9Vo3N5wIpfAxi1rypc-oF9kwrdYA4RlqJ86hNn27HcGGqXcSjJGFM2kjuWnJIp7Yw4kkTuhUOLTpVk-2NYhLFZSIwjSVegmHdPWq6of8ZbRW5/s320/johnnyjohnson.JPG" border="0" /></a> We open on Laura, momentarily mesmerized by the new boy, before she snaps out of it to engage in some proper tomboy hat-stealing. New boy Johnny Johnson compliments Laura on her running. She's pretty good... for a girl. Oh, Johnny Johnson, in 2008, your pills would be destroyed in my feminist fist.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238205727754059458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEY6zJznkcFT0Qws85CDdOugxB8xfYQkO1ULCMImvSVvSc35ZDEtO58w1EpVmR1VBXasXvU63-ZmkkGg_f_KCqotN_OeJh4KPCy-knn5yOaJR0Zh56uxCshtcdMeRVRU5tiwxHb8lnwKp/s320/our+hunk+done.JPG" border="0" /><br />Willie Oleson also hates Johnny Johnson, mainly because he looks like a scarecrow in somebody's garden. I dunno about all that, but he's not my style of dreamboat, fo' sho'. Check out the reactions of the students when Johnny Johnson arrives in class.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238209546772079618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn9bfs63xnoD09j0aSZnNt1mjJd8Ckg4R1neKbRpxanQHNrazckplVaYNNqVYPIpnMjvDlimY3JEnh36df39IIpUeJ5boFDD9TJjEdszvOpaWYsoE_5uZyvmeoDN_CecC3Z-cMJyBZ1s_/s320/what+done.JPG" border="0" /><br />Laura likes him, though, so she invites him to walk home with her and Mary. They pause for some rock-throwing, which Mary sucks at. Johnny (I wanna keep calling him Johnny Johnson - maybe I will) encourages Mary by telling her "you never know when you'll have to hit a varmint". That <em>is</em> pretty good motivation when you're living in the sticks.<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Laura is head over heel for Johnny Johnson. She asks Ma if Ma and Pa were in love from the very start. Well, this Johnny Johnson is no Pa, I can tell you that. He's downright homely compared to Pa. Pa is a good looking man. Johnny Johnson is a scarecrow. It's been confirmed by independent sources.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238206686196031634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vi3ebX7gg8vZlk65PbBOC2oMMzEfd7X2ktsDddg_2tDYBeC_AW6tzYA1iLR57PZFpfUgvUA-f-bvGnxknTILBfPLFVPn5lSQBO1mzja_GxS4oezYVhfJOducxQwGXO9aeEPgKtBWfU07/s320/laura+in+love+done.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />The next day at school, Mary wins the class spelling bee, impressing Johnny Johnson. The next afternoon, he shows up at the little house, which sends Laura running to the loft to spit-smooth her hair in the mirror before coming down to see why he's there. Unfortunately, he only wants Mary to tutor him, and wants nothing to do with little Laura.<br /><br />The next day, Laura comes up with an elaborate scheme of falling into the creek first thing in the morning, soaking her dress. Uh oh, now she's gonna have to wear her Sunday dress and ribbons and look all pretty for Johnny Johnson. Ma shows up at school during lunch hour to talk to Miss Beadle. "Boystruck... Johnny Johnson?" Ma whispers to Miss Beadle. Haha, I love concerned Ma.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238207584967697698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt25uLk2R7HDTKEAKP_AgIeATmBU66hFJtzRS9YzCJM71stBYKScln9smgtYhGOWlFHRPgtiNW8gHasB_mqqrV_r6nm__D6iY9pL1w7QSPr0si88znW1cHryHsqxZTrq6Bt0z7JoLgxnmZ/s320/heart+to+heart+done.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>That night at home, Laura tells Mary straight up how lame it is that instead of Mary sticking up for herself against the schoolyard boys, she yells and makes a scene so Johnny will take notice. I guess this is as far as 1870s sister-fights go: "You're two-faced, Mary Ingalls... shut up!!" But that's far enough. Ma won't hear any of it, and Laura runs to the loft.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238207977236573730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2jRPH-XeNhKAc9iD-Qe6c0hWOBE0UekF45HIlay3KmZ6q8GNPwwjZd3y8QRsLwDa-Q2uPBiSdAanWKCpenWSAuAzyYyb95ju2Jvxwk2lIaiCaRvmdKSn281ye22zlqZwyPcMoMK7AVJS/s320/trouble+brewing+done.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Ma follows her and tells her that growing up is painful and all that. Well, it's about to get worse. The next day at school, Johnny asks Laura to meet him at the sweetheart tree after class. Of course, this gets Laura's hopes up... until Johnny reveals his olden days graffiti. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238202954573188562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTECv5oLf9hA5RzHlRBFs_t7GJPKYKtmgRyMD-VMIpHJ0pj3ShNieGdVdhbPlCHfbenuARwhvfTVmrKYAcDwAvBJFOvOdpf2geyuEsirwdgD9KYSbgbvmFJoqVy3YrRyrH3kKyMymMA_vz/s320/tree.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div>Mary is outraged. She doesn't even like him! Mary even gets MEAN, saying that poor, unattractive Johnny <em>does</em> look like a scarecrow and calling him a numbskull. Now Pa's concerned, because Johnny's 15 years old. Fifteen year old boys and his little daughters? Pa don't think so. Sadly for us, Pa doesn't get his pinwheeling fists in action, as much as I would have enjoyed it.<br /><br /><div>Laura learns to get over her heartache, with a little talk from Pa to help. He tells her, "Someday you'll have lots of beaux, sweet thing." Which isn't even really true, but whatev.<br /><br />"Oh, Pa." And we never [EDIT: 'rarely'] have to see Johnny Johnson again. </div></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-24523497197288828082008-08-17T21:12:00.007-03:002008-08-17T21:16:57.189-03:00Mr. Edward's Homecoming (Season 1, Ep. 4)<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgrkKkGO4i4EVL1e1-3Di_SzJAsMnUABuxYEHmrjFp3lzyMCyuFVaHs991UX-GhzTZU5v4Im1j2NMAf14sMI18370PWtSVsXlCZY702-gPg807fR1-1E3ti5-W5S1ew3SP54qrlQE_zD6/s1600-h/mredwardshomecoming+title.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235636856020962978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgrkKkGO4i4EVL1e1-3Di_SzJAsMnUABuxYEHmrjFp3lzyMCyuFVaHs991UX-GhzTZU5v4Im1j2NMAf14sMI18370PWtSVsXlCZY702-gPg807fR1-1E3ti5-W5S1ew3SP54qrlQE_zD6/s320/mredwardshomecoming+title.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />For some contrived reason, Charles is in Mankato. A ruckus overflows from the saloon! It's Mr. Edward<strong>s </strong>(not 'Edward', as the episode title would have you believe), throwing down! The saloontender offers Charles a table leg or something to defend himself. Pa's not scared; he drags Edwards outside and sobers him up by dunking him in the horse-water-box (trough??) thing.<br /><br />Charles invites Edwards to come to Walnut Grove, you know, visit the family and all that. Even though he's a raging drunk, who, 3 seconds ago, was about to take out an entire bar full of people with a broken whiskey bottle.<br /><br />Edwards isn't thrilled when they get to Walnut Grove and there's NO SALOON! What kind of cheesy-ass town is this? At the little house, Laura is sick in bed with a fever. Edwards spazzes. He later confesses that his wife and daughter died of smallpox and that why he freaked out at seeing Laura ill. Edwards = more complex than we ever even knew.<br /><br />That night, Ma and Pa eat popcorn in bed and talk about who in town they can fix Mr. Edwards up with. The obvious answer is the Widow Snider. Unfortunately, she's already had a freakin' terrible first impression of Edwards when he was caught spitting outside the mercantile.<br /><br />Pa gets Edwards a job at Hansen's mill. Edwards works at the cutter, singing the first of many, many versions of <em>"</em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Dan_Tucker"><em>Old Dan Tucker</em></a><em>"</em> that appear in this episode. Edwards ends the song with a wolf howl. Seriously. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235640003669345058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R00SSkRdHExckz9w3tKJgOPMqfULUNsB9rM_-kyfDeFmlmyzBv0FM_WYPUxluPaHtvz4QoWQ9IgIUDNAeBfL9Vjs7Ke4o5FQyDtcJ10ep0EBKqS-2aKzd6wVfR1fBt2PGRfb5ec8VQ8v/s200/thehowl.JPG" border="0" /> He lifts his hat politely to a disgusted Widow Snider as she walks by. To the sounds of a slow, instrumental <em>"Old Dan Tucker"</em>, she watches from the post office window as he drinks from an enormous brown jug, presumably filled with liquor. It's actually water, but naturally, everyone is gonna think that Edwards is boozing back the moonshine, cuz... it's Edwards. This is the guy who built a still in an abandoned field and got a goat drunk. That's just who he is.<br /><br />Ma had asked Mr. Edwards to pick up the mail, so he would have a chance to talk to the Widow Snider. It doesn't go well. She shuts him down, and continues rubber-stamping envelopes with authority. Afterwards, maybe because he didn't seem as smashed in person as he should have been, she goes to the mill and starts sniffing around his brown jug. Edwards catches her and convinces her to drink out of the bottle. Now Hansen thinks Grace Snider's the alcoholic! She goes back to the post office, as Edwards sings <em>"Old Dan Tucker (The Delight Remix)"</em>. </p><p>The comedy of errors continues at church, where Rev. Alden gives a booze sermon. Relief from your pain/struggles/burdens can ONLY come from the Lord. The sauce is not medicinal, no matter what you tell yourself. Doc Baker ain't prescribin'. After the sermon, Hansen tells Grace something like: "I hope you were paying attention to that".<br /><br />Edwards doesn't go to church, which is apparently not awesome. At supper, Pa asks the girls about Sunday school. They're all up in tha WG gossip, like one girl passed a note to a little boy, and now this other girl is jealous. Pa starts getting angry; he wants to know what <strong>SUNDAY SCHOOL</strong> was about. Defeated, somber Mary says: "Sunday school was all about Jesus." Ha. Hahaha.<br /><br />Inspired by Mary's story, Mr. Edwards writes a letter to himself and puts some lemon verbena that he'd bought for Laura on the envelope. He gets Laura to help address the envelope, I guess to have some feminine penwomanship. Edwards asks Laura if there's a rule in the family about having secrets. Haha, Edwards thinks the Ingalls family is so lame.<br /><br />After accosting a letter carrier and forcing him to take the letter to Mankato to mail it, the letter arrives in Walnut Grove. Edwards picks it up from the post office, pulls up a chair on the post office porch, and reads it with relish right in Grace Snider's face. Grace had obviously noticed the lemon verbena scent and probably thought the letter was from some sexy lady/Beadle-esque schoolmarm in the city.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235642323042604658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OW0d4xVe6U5rs_pLKY_-bWtCwPoIGw1aihWPR1qfhwT5jqpFO4lHAIYognCCzOY-pOCeb6ov4q7T3v8FpSOuL3ULTnuUH7Tm4b6NCrDP4FhPRwnKXsN5UPYhRVAGFCoYF-i6EYcczmZK/s200/theletter.JPG" border="0" />Edwards invites Grace home to the Ingalls' for supper. Charles went fishing and caught a whole mess of pike. Grace: "I haven't had pike for ages." Edwards: "[Caroline]'s gonna bawl me out right in front of the family... you don't have the good sense to ask her when you know she <a href="http://likepike.blogspot.com/">likes pike</a>?!"<br /><br />The Ingallses, Edwards, and Grace have a blast dancing around a bonfire to fiddle music. Edwards invites Grace to go fishing, which they do, and have a great time. Other than Laura blowing the secret about the letter. But that turned out all right... compared to what follows!!!<br /><br />Edwards asks Grace to go fishing again, on Sunday morning. Like, during church. She asks him to come to church, but he doesn't believe. Grace is aghast and promptly turns down any and all non-Christian suitors.<br /><br />Later, Edwards packs up his belongings in the Ingalls's hay loft where he'd been living. Ma climbs into the loft and asks him: "Do you believe in anything?" in that softly manipulative way she has of speaking, then leaves. Edwards breaks into <em>"Old Dan Tucker (Depression Mumblemix)"</em>.<br /><br />On Sunday morning, during a spirited singing of "<em>Bringing in the Sheaves</em>", Edwards slips quietly into church and sits next to Grace. The citizens of Hero Township continue singing, and some of the guys (including Pa) are waaayyy too into it. Like extreme head-bobbing. You should check it out. </p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-14533129729704184742008-08-11T20:32:00.000-03:002008-08-11T20:32:00.631-03:00100 Mile Walk (Season 1, Ep. 3)<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZCnaTN3UAwQGB_H_GVLZZWBRdtvaoQBBeoV7CAE_QhoXx12YHHrnwEaEIHg556yj8vTF7pZV7wVX88Uov1WFCoBUPGj2HSF0xAj3GZTnCs3y4R1ImsBo_s30c4c_AHYQmv8EFUBmGkd6/s1600-h/100milewalk.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232344958622485730" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZCnaTN3UAwQGB_H_GVLZZWBRdtvaoQBBeoV7CAE_QhoXx12YHHrnwEaEIHg556yj8vTF7pZV7wVX88Uov1WFCoBUPGj2HSF0xAj3GZTnCs3y4R1ImsBo_s30c4c_AHYQmv8EFUBmGkd6/s320/100milewalk.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />We begin with Charles standing in a field, sincerely thanking the Lord for his wheat crop. Inside, he starts listing what all they can buy with the money when he sells the harvest. This is called counting your chickens before they hatch and that shit makes the Lord very angry. That night, a hailstorm from hell is unleashed upon Walnut Grove. Charles runs outside, but unless he's got a 100 acre tarp, he shoulda just stayed in bed.<br /><div><br />The wheat's been flattened, so now the Ingalls family has no food and no money. Charles takes off on foot toward Sleepy Eye and Mankato to look for work. Jack Peters, an Irish guy, catches up to Charles a short time later, and they walk together. That night, they make a fire and cook stew. Another guy approaches the flames. His name is Jacob. He hangs out with them, and it turns out that he's a bootmaker in his spare time. Pa's boots are in shit-shape, and Jacob throws them into the woods. Pa can't afford a new pair, but this is one time that "cash on the barrel" doesn't apply.<br /><br />The men find jobs in a mining quarry. Jack works as a "powder monkey", putting lit dynamite into holes in the rock, then running like hell. Charles and Jacob team up for a (slightly) less dangerous job. One guy holds a tall steel spike, while the other guy pounds it with a sledgehammer. Mind your limbs, eh?<br /><br />Back at the little house, Caroline has invited all the womenfolk of Hero Township over to hear her newest plan yet. They can manually take the wheat out of whatever it is the wheat grows in and dry it in sheaves. I hope there's a montage or something of them "bringing in the sheaves". That's my favourite Little House hymn. There's a bunch of whiny divas who don't wanna do it, but seriously, bitches, what else were you gonna do all day?<br /><br />Ah, yes. I called it. Now it's time for a hard-work montage of the men in the quarry and the women in the field. Pa and Jacob win a $50 prize in a drilling contest. Jack, a veteran of quarry work, taunts them from a rocky hill, saying that even with their win, they're not experienced enough to carry his jock, or some 1870s version of that. Suddenly, the rock and Jack explode into bits.<br /><br />Conveniently, the job is over and Charles can go home. The quarry-owner gives him Jack's paycheque to drop off with his family. Jack has a young son who is devastated by the news. Pa makes some promises he's not gonna keep, and says he'll come visit sometime. Poor kid is so depressed, he can't even sense that Pa is just making shit up and has no intention of ever coming back. </div><br /><div>Pa makes it back to the little house, and everyone is happy.</div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-44589299387502418522008-08-08T23:35:00.000-03:002008-08-08T23:38:12.781-03:00Country Girls (Season 1, Ep. 2)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQoTM2c4GX6UOgo_T_ROwW7umey5LvkqYEJrVg2HOyVH-6sFgM3hgTXQumaOcJtKruzvhoRdcVuCgfi60n0cfus4APrXJzJD2DaZmJ0-h2PiqLhTeJVQD6rJUorjHp198xnv1Isymc7NF/s1600-h/cgs.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232336112857409730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQoTM2c4GX6UOgo_T_ROwW7umey5LvkqYEJrVg2HOyVH-6sFgM3hgTXQumaOcJtKruzvhoRdcVuCgfi60n0cfus4APrXJzJD2DaZmJ0-h2PiqLhTeJVQD6rJUorjHp198xnv1Isymc7NF/s320/cgs.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>It's the first day of school for Mary and Laura. They show up in the schoolyard to the sound of group taunting. A chant of "Snipes! Snipes! Long legged snipes!" lead by Willie Oleson, who is the littlest little kid I've ever seen. How can you be a bully if you're like 2'7"?<br /><br />Nellie's being a biotch, calling the Ingallses "country girls" and givin' 'em bitchface. But if you check out the head on the surly girl next to Nellie, it looks like she hates Mary and Laura more than Nellie does! Or maybe she's glaring so hatefully AT Nellie! That would be a mindtrip.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232340662648000930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdniI6cDmnnphYCPC2sPLq6U5K8CGG5dnvMCMPB9d4owTAENnX47Dgv-OspEv9IYprVRFaXGYKk7MObtBKdHrJim9TWJuHBavZajMCOYRoMgPCGiGXWP1QTTzaUEBqVis75Th1ik_Dq80/s320/nellie3.bmp" border="0" /><br />Laura becomes the class joke for asking how a blackboard works; and beautiful, smiley, lemon verbena scented Miss Beadle has to crack her ruler on the desk.<br /><br />The next morning, Mary and Laura stop at the mercantile for a slate and tablet. Nellie and Willie are there, because, like, they live there. Nellie's hogging the jawbreakers and Willie is mocking Mary and Laura for being poor. I like Nels, but he put up with it for waaaayyy too long before kicking their asses out of the shop.<br /><br />The girls are a penny short to get a slate pencil, so Nels offers for them to take it and pay tomorrow. These are Ingalls children, so it's cash on the barrel or nothing. They feel so bad that they have to ask Pa for more money that they decide to use their Christmas pennies to buy the slate pencil. This is depressing.<br /><div><br />Ma's got her share of problems too, after she has the audacity to bring brown eggs in to sell at the mercantile. Mrs. Oleson is an immediate bitch, saying they're 4 cents less per dozen, which, like, isn't even true. I sense the beginning of a years-long feud.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Nellie is being a recess-time tyrant, forcing all the girls to play Ring Around The Rosie. Laura wants to play Uncle John. I can't find out what type of game/activity that is. Even Google doesn't know. Nellie is infuriated that someone would go against her, and pushes Laura down twice before Laura pushes her back.<br /><br />The lesson from this is DO UNTO OTHERS, which Ma and Pa say quite a hundred times in this episode.<br /><br />The next day, when Ma is selling eggs again, Mrs. Oleson has the moronic guts to say that Laura is a troublemaker. Ma doesn't want any trouble. She'd already sold her brown eggs to Pa's co-workers at the mill, so Harriet wouldn't have another chance to rip her off.<br /><br />On her way out of the mercantile, Ma's eye catches some beautiful blue and white printed yard goods. She stops to look, and Harriet immediately goes into customer service mode, showing Ma some cheap sturdy fabric suitable for a poor country wife such as herself. Ma buys a dress-length of the nice stuff, but totally has 1870s buyers remorse.<br /><br />Visitor's Day is coming up at school and all the children have to "write what they call an 'essay'", and then read them aloud. When I was a student, I called them "<strong>e*says</strong>". It was a foul, dirty word.<br /><br />Laura's got nerves about her essay. She's new to this writing thing and doesn't know all the words she wants to use. She is convinced that all the other students and their parents are gonna laugh. Ma is reverse <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074285/">Carrie White</a>'s mother, telling Laura that they're not gonna laugh at her.<br /><br />Ma pulls an all-nighter the night before Vistor's Day to make 2 new dresses for the girls. It's very touching. At the class presentation, little Willie gives a speech about horses, followed by Nellie's essay entitled "My Home". By the time she gets to "It's the nicest furniture of any furniture in any house in Walnut Grove", Nels is almost under the desk. How the hell are these his kids??<br /><br />Laura reads her essay about Ma. It's very sweet and Ma gets all teary-eyed. But not me. Nope. After the presentation, Ma checks out Laura's essay paper and there are like 3 shoddy sentences on it. She makes Laura show Miss Beadle that she hadn't read exactly what was written, but The Bead is ok with it. And that's how it ends. </div></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-3978204768481908802008-08-05T09:49:00.002-03:002008-08-09T22:44:14.384-03:00A Harvest of Friends (Season 1, Ep. 1)<p></p><p></p><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Q5-hJVmmSNt41UbypW6w1-Pc9VIULUiVUXsv0Tn8GSBo9d5Wruz_5Y_I6_d-GB1GVUOAJBlVFalbnmdGGN5hDRA7bqpdPYQhGsag286V0GcyrszMSjL0mq1RCMYk8Z6DyeiKvK1113FL/s1600-h/lhotps1e1title.bmp"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229681300346905010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh230lNHYI_wlSCHtfF6rttSkIa4joqThs-74eBFQQiztn1ZJsc-0gK3-5H-tErjmM1FWlG5_4ZXsekGmRQjqzPwiN4zJ8wiWPEOLAFgSNRfA_5jDF9onG9uJyM1hGKoaQmRGAtV6kyByzp/s200/untitled.bmp" width="248" border="0" /> </div><br /><p></p><p>The Ingallses left Kansas and settled at Plum Creek, near the town of Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Pa builds the little house, trades his team horses (named Pat and Patty - I can only think of the <a href="http://snltranscripts.jt.org/04/04gpat.phtml">Backpack Shack</a> on SNL) for a pair of oxen, and plans to plant a wheat crop.<br /><br />At Oleson's Mercantile, Pa tries to get credit. Of course, he prefers "cash on the barrel" (the first of literally HUNDREDS of 'cash on the barrel' references during the series), but he's desperate to get some seed and a plough and start farming. Harriet Oleson, proprietor, basically tells him to piss off. Some long time citizens of Hero Township don't even have credit extended to them, so jog on.<br /><br />Across the way at Liam O'Neil's Seed Potatoes, Pa looks longingly at a plough-rig. O'Neil's a rotten bastard, but he'll cut a deal with ya. Pa can take the seed and plough in exchange for putting a new roof on O'Neil's shed and stacking many, many grain sacks into neat floor-to-ceiling piles. He has 3 weeks to complete his end of the deal. Pa's not hip to how it works in tha WG, and expects O'Neil to take him at his word. It is the word of Charles Ingalls, so it will be done. O'Neil wants a signed mortgage with Pa's new oxen team put up as collateral, and as we know, desperate people often have no choice, and a deal is struck.<br /><br />Pa works his days and nights away: ploughing and planting, roofing, stacking grain, and working at Hansen's lumber mill. By Sunday, he is so tired that he falls asleep while tying his tie for church.<br /><br />At church, the rest of the family is treated to a classic Reverend Alden speech. He may seem pretty tame to most people, but I'm not into church and brainwashy shit like this scares me. He's like, 'Oh, many wives without your husbands in attendence, we are all sinners and cannot be forgiven if we don't attend church. The only excuse for not being here is DEATH. Let us sing 'Come, Sinner, Come.' That song title sounds pervy; I like it.<br /><br />Mary takes it personally and is all upset that Pa's gonna go to hell or something. Dude, check out his work schedule: he's already there. It gets worse when Ma and the girls return from church to find Pa working in the field. Ma goes ballistic! It's THE SABBATH!!!<br /><br />Pa realizes he's been spending too much time working and needs a day off with his family. The Ingallses have a picnic where they relax in the sunshine, run around with Jack, and fly kites. Well, Charles flies a kite. The others just have to watch him perform cocky kite tricks. Pa's string catches in a tree branch and he climbs to the top of a tall tree to detangle it. I've read enough Peanuts comics to know: You don't mess with a kite-eating tree.<br /><br />Oh no! Pa falls from height, breaking 4 ribs. Doc Baker orders him to stay in bed and rest. Fall from height? I recommend calling <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGk3lsbwiUs&feature=related">Jim "The Hammer" Shapiro</a>. Ma takes over at home, ploughing and planting, but Pa's debts go unpaid... until Liam O'Neil and his goon come and take the oxen. Pa is furious. He gets out of bed and pulls on his boots. Hours later, he shows up at O'Neil's business, covered in sweat and holding his ribs in agony. Doc Baker and the blacksmith look on in shock. Hansen is incredulous. Charles Ingalls has a beef with this guy... but he's in too sorry of shape to get his fists swinging. So he uses the law.<br /><br />That signed collateral sheet doesn't expire until tonight! Pa still has time to finish the job! He can't even lift the bags of grain, but tries to, like, headbutt them into place. While climbing (why, Charles, why?) up a pile of sacks, he falls. Teary Mary and Laura watch from across the street. Heartless Liam O'Neil has been enjoying the show so far, and appears to like it even more when Charles's little daughters come and start pulling grain bags bigger than they are across the warehouse floor. What an unsympathetic bastard.<br /><br />About a dozen menfolk of Hero Township come into the warehouse and finish the job, while Charles continues laying on the floor, smiling.<br /><br />And the twist ending (not really, guys, come on) is that Hansen has set up a ploughing and harrowing contest and he wants the Ingalls family farmland to host it. They <u>will</u> have a crop after all! Unless... ok, I won't spoil it. You'll just have to keep reading...</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-36297353077150255992008-08-02T19:53:00.003-03:002010-02-07T21:31:52.778-04:00Episode List<u>Season 1</u><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/harvest-of-friends-season-1-episode-1.html">A Harvest of Friends</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/country-girls-season-1-ep-2.html">Country Girls</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/100-mile-walk-season-1-ep-3.html">100 Mile Walk</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/mr-edwards-homecoming-season-1-ep-4.html">Mr. Edward's Homecoming</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/08/love-of-johnny-johnson-season-1-ep-5.html">The Love of Johnny Johnson</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/09/if-i-should-wake-before-i-die-season-1.html">If I Should Wake Before I Die</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/09/town-party-country-party-season-1.html">Town Party Country Party</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/09/mas-holiday-season-1-episode-8.html">Ma's Holiday</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/10/school-mom-season-1-episode-9.html">School Mom</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/10/racoon-season-1-episode-10.html">The Racoon</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/10/voice-of-tinker-jones-season-1-episode.html">The Voice of Tinker Jones</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/11/award-season-1-episode-12.html">The Award</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/11/pa-bugs-ma-for-not-eating-and-being-too.html">The Lord Is My Shepherd, Part 1</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2008/12/lord-is-my-shepherd-part-2-season-1.html">The Lord Is My Shepherd, Part 2</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/01/christmas-at-plum-creek-season-1.html">Christmas At Plum Creek</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/03/family-quarrel.html">Family Quarrel</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/05/doctors-lady.html">Doctor's Lady</a><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/05/plague.html">Plague</a><div><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/06/circus-man.html">Circus Man</a></div><div><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2010/02/child-of-pain.html">Child of Pain</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><u>Bonus Material</u><br /><a href="http://herotownship.blogspot.com/2009/02/tv-time-79.html">Little House article from TV Time '79</a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6288366383058648702.post-13321399383401311962008-08-01T08:43:00.001-03:002008-08-11T08:30:34.057-03:00Welcome to Walnut Grove<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMRrXA3wrXtv7DohukKFj2Mju1yxIDaUGooq4zCKfI63_D0rhkrUDFT00Jncclug_OyuAOwyeev1PwTdwBPDGz1hbOKzkOg82XmUM9-pI-2ckyG-Tif4_kFvJ-iAFHKmYLOdR2RZTwM9-/s1600-h/LHMainTitle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMRrXA3wrXtv7DohukKFj2Mju1yxIDaUGooq4zCKfI63_D0rhkrUDFT00Jncclug_OyuAOwyeev1PwTdwBPDGz1hbOKzkOg82XmUM9-pI-2ckyG-Tif4_kFvJ-iAFHKmYLOdR2RZTwM9-/s320/LHMainTitle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230997572941202306" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, little Laura Ingalls! How I loved you! When I was younger, all I wanted were long braids and to be able to run really fast anywhere I wanted to go, with my arms and legs flailing everywhere. During my elementary years, my parents taped Little House repeats every night, so that every weekend I would have a crapload of episodes to keep me entertained (and probably, like, away from them, but let's not get into motive).<br /><br />I've seen every episode over and over again, I refer to those years when the Superstation played two episodes back-to-back every morning as "the golden age of my life", and I started collecting the series DVDs as soon as they hit store shelves.<br /><br />As much as I love the show, I also realize that it's a goldmine of ridiculity. Some episodes are so awkward and bizarre, they're begging to be hated on. Episode where Carrie and her identical imaginary friend go to wonderland and battle a giant spider, I'm looking at you. There were so many blind people, there could never be that many blind people, I don't care what year it is. Where the hell did Mr. Edwards go for, like, those 4 years he disappeared without a mention or a goodbye? Of course, we know that random people just showed up needing to be Helped By An Ingalls, then were never seen again. Because once you've been Helped, nothing can go wrong for you again... ever. And my personal favourite oddity, Laura and Almanzo's wedding happening smack in the middle of an Eliza Jane story arc, in some random building, with some random minister. No Reverend Alden, no citizens of Walnut Grove, just a disappointing and strange wedding that should have been a bigger deal since it was kind of the point of the show during the Laura-growing-up years.<br /><br />People have always made fun of Little House for being sappy and sweet (and I do cry while watching regularly enough to kinda agree with that), but there were deranged episodes, too. The one where Sylvia, Albert's new crush, gets raped by a guy in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carver">Nip/Tuck Carver mask</a>. Mary's baby being used to break a window in the blind school during a fire, then catatonic Mary cradling the charred corpse while singing lullabies under a tree can give normal people nightmares. Lesserly, that one where Laura's school chum for a day drowns and the mother kidnaps Laura and holds her hostage in the basement, thinking it's her own dead daughter. And what about Mary? She is easily the most cursed character in the history of television. How cruel was Michael Landon to keep writing, directing, and approving scripts where more and more terrible shit kept happening to Mary? Spread it around some, come on.<br /><br />And, all of that other stuff aside, Little House has actual humour. The dynamic between Mr. and Mrs. Oleson was the funniest stuff on the show. Nellie Oleson - where do I even start? I can't say anything new about her. She's just evilly awesome. Others may not agree, but I thought that the adoption of Nancy Oleson was good, great, and wonderful. That wail: "He haaaaaaates me!!!" gets me. I love it.<br /><br />Episode after episode, year after year; let's make the journey through history and Hero Township together.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06672093730049923294noreply@blogger.com4