Little House On The
Prairie: Season Seven
139. Laura
Ingalls Wilder (1)
Guest Star: James Cromwell (Harv Miller) Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) Lucy
Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
Almanzo purchases some land and hires Harv, a friend of his, to help him
in the field. Almanzo soon learns that he was tricked into buying the
land. He is unable to get any justice. This causes Almanzo to call off the
wedding until he gets back on his feet. Laura gets a teaching position,
but Almanzo doesn't want her to work. Laura decides to take the position
anyway.
b: 22-Sep-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: Steve Tracy as Percival Dalton is credited in the main towns credits
for the first time.
Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder was credited a guest, (as he is a main part
of the story).
Lucy Lee Flippin as Eliza Jane was credited as a special guest star, (as
she is a main part of the story). This story is actually told in part
through the words of Eliza Jane Wilder and her diary.
This story is set several months after the end of the last season and
here, we see Laura so much more grown up. She makes a mention of her
impending wedding in 6 months time (letting us know that several months
have passed). This first (part) story is of the rocky road of love and new
beginnings, with a good dose of humor thrown in from Willie and Mrs.
Oleson - who gets some shocking news. You may note also how Albert, not
only has shorter hair, but has grown taller and has a deeper voice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140. Laura Ingalls Wilder (2)
Guest Star: James Cromwell (Harve Miller) Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
Eliza Jane falls in love with Harv, but is afraid to tell him how she
feels. Eliza Jane is devastated when she finds out Harv has somebody else
in his life. Since Eliza Jane doesn't want to see Almanzo and Laura break
up, she decides to leave and tells Almanzo to chase after Laura to tell
her that she could teach in Walnut Grove. Laura and Almanzo then get
married at the blind school.
b: 29-Sep-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: The town (credits) were represented by only Nellie, Adam and Albert,
but there were plenty of co-stars. Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder was
credited a guest, (as he is a main part of the story). Lucy Lee Flippin as
Eliza Jane was credited as a special guest star, (as she is a main part of
the story). This story is actually told in part through the words of Eliza
Jane Wilder and her diary. Last major appearance of Lucy Lee Flippin as
Eliza Jane Wilder. Lucy Lee Flippen does appear in a rather major roll as
Eliza Jane Wilder in "A Wiser Heart".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
141. A New Beginning
Guest Star: Harry Carey Jr. (Sheriff Pike) Med Flory (Pete Rawlins) John
Dukakis (Tim Mahoney) Milton Selzer (Elija Pattman) John Larch (Arthur
Mahoney)
The Garveys move to Sleepy Eye to run a business. After being robbed
several times, Jonathan decides to become a deputy sheriff to clean up the
town of crime. When Jonathan catches a teen gang leader, Andy gets beaten
up.
b: 06-Oct-1980 w: John T. Dugan d: William F. Claxton
NOTE: This story is set almost completely away from Walnut Grove and
revolves around Jonathan and Andrew Garvey. You may find this story
pleasantly well done, with good and bad things happening, and with
criminals to catch once Jonathan becomes deputy sheriff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
142. Fight Team Fight!
Guest Star: William Traylor (Pete Ellerbee) Terrence O'Connor (Sandra
Ellerbee) James Jarnagin (Dan Ellerbee)
A former football star moves back to Walnut Grove. He agrees to become
coach of the football team. His goal is to win at all costs. This kind of
thinking puts Albert in great danger. Towards the end of the show the
football coach starts to realize that winning isn't everything.
b: 13-Oct-1980 w: Don Balluck d: Michael Landon
NOTE: A story of a man who can't show his love for his son and the son who
is desperate for his father's approval. The man pushes and pushes until
something cracks. (In this instance, it's Albert).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
143. The Silent Cry
Guest Star: Ivan Bonar (Mr. Case) David Hollander (Michael) Dub Taylor
(Houston)
Houston, an old man, takes care of two runaway orphans. The orphans were
running away because the orphanage wants to separate them. Houston talks
to the adopting parents and convinces them to take both of the kids.
b: 20-Oct-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: As this story takes place in and around Sleepy Eye, only Jonathan
Garvey, Adam and Albert are credited as the townsfolk, so there were
plenty of guest stars. A story of fear (for the brothers), heartache and
love. For those that need to - have some tissues handy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
144. Portrait Of Love
Guest Star: Madeline Stowe (Annie Crane) Jim Antonio (Victor Crosby) Ward
Costello (Jeremy Unger) Constance Pfeifer (Marge Crosby) Paul Napier
(Sorrell Crane) Mariclare Costello (Helen Crane)
A blind person has a talent for painting. Her work is so good, it soon
gets publicized. The person's biological mother comes and tries to make up
for what happened in the past. Only after the blind person learns that her
mother abandoned her so that she could have a better life did she agree to
see her mother.
b: 27-Oct-1980 w: Michael Landon d: William F. Claxton
NOTE: A story of talent which leads to happiness, bitterness and love
found again. You may recognize some faces if not the names, along with a
young Madeline Stowe whose character is torn between happiness and sadness
before the end. Have a couple of tissues handy. Watch out for the
restaurant scene with Caroline, Nellie, Percival and that Mrs. Oleson.
Percival is given the 'go ahead' to shout back at his mother-in-law and
boy - does she get it. You will laugh at this whole scene. It is most
satisfying to see Harriet Olsen get her come-uppance - something that
rarely happens to her face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
145. Divorce, Walnut Grove Style
Guest Star: Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) Tisch Raye (Brenda Sue Longworth)
A friend of Laura begins liking Almanzo. Laura begins suspecting the
worse. She goes so far as leaving him when she suspects he is having an
affair. Laura later learns that Almanzo can love no one but her.
b: 10-Nov-1980 w: Don Balluck d: Michael Landon
NOTE: Maybe this title should be called 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' Laura and
Almanzo go at it like it's a war. There is lots of humor supplied by
everyone it seems. Note the scenes between Nels and Harriet and the fight
in the street between Laura and Brenda Sue, and the running theme of the
picture-window. You'll be laughing all the way through this episode.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
146. Dearest Albert, I'll Miss You
Guest Star: Suzy Gilstrap (Leslie Barton) Diane Shalet (Mrs. Barton)
Albert begins writing more frequently to a pen pal of his. He tries to
impress the girl he is writing to. The girl also does the same thing.
Albert falls in love with her and goes to see her one time. This girl is
very reluctant. Albert thinks that she doesn't like him until he sees her
in a wheelchair. Both of them promise to continue writing to each other,
but this time they would only tell the truth in their writings.
b: 17-Nov-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: A story about untruths and love. The story is set in Walnut Grove
and Minneapolis. As town credits, only Albert and Willie are here, the
rest being supplied as Minneapolis residents or other irregular Walnut
Grove folk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
147. The In-Laws
Guest Star: Eddie Quillan (Kavendish)
Almanzo and Mr. Ingalls expand their business by delivery goods to Sleepy
Eye. Both of them believe they know the quickest way to get there. They
even place a bet...Whoever got to Sleepy Eye first before 1 o'clock had to
cook the other family dinner. Both of them experience problems almost
right from the start. Both of them end up making it there after the
designated time. The husbands are forced to cook their wives dinner, but
that doesn't go so well either.
b: 24-Nov-1980 w: Don Balluck d: William F. Claxton
NOTE: This story pits Charles against Almanzo, but they both try to outdo
each other and trick their wives. Running humor throughout and note the
funny scene outside the school between Caroline and Laura (they find it
hilarious, so should you).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
148. To See The Light (1)
Guest Star: Peter Hobbs (Mr. Davis) Linwood Boomer (Adam)
Adam makes a decision when his sight returns, after an accident at
Jonathan's freight warehouse. Mary feels that Adam may be slipping away
from her.
b: 01-Dec-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: As this story centers around Adam, Linwood Boomer was credited as a
guest.
This story tells of a miracle and the events that follow. In this first
part we see the changes and the decision by Adam. The humor is provided
mainly by the Oleson's. No matter how she tries, Percival tells the truth
to Mrs. Oleson and doesn't take any of her scathing words or comments.
Hurrah for Percival. For those noting, a multitude of co-stars, both
regular and new (from Sleepy Eye).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
149. To See The Light (2)
Guest Star: Donald Petrie (Alan Barton) Donald Hotton (Professor Mayfield)
Linwood Boomer (Adam)
Adam goes for his test and hopes to get a scholarship. But far away from
home, he is robbed and beaten and after racing to continue his test (2nd
part), he catches a fever.
b: 08-Dec-1980 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: As this story centers around Adam, Linwood Boomer was credited as a
guest.
The subplot and humor is provided mainly by the Oleson's. No matter how
she tries, Mrs. Oleson can't stop eating and there is a hilarious result
when she tries to put on a corset.
For those noting, a multitude of co-stars, both regular and new.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150. Oleson Versus Oleson
Guest Star: Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson) Katherine MacGregor (Mrs. Oleson)
A town referendum comes up on giving fair property rights to married
women. Mrs. Ingalls is in favor of it, but her husband strongly opposes
it. She believes in it so strongly that she gets the other women to join
up with her and leave their husbands. All of the women do it, but Laura is
one of the most reluctant ones. The husbands soon find out that they need
their better half. They vote the referendum through.
b: 05-Jan-1981 w: Chris Abbott d: William F. Claxton
NOTE: Mr. Oleson and Mrs. Oleson were credited as guests as this story
started and revolved around their dispute, before involving the whole of
Walnut Grove. Funny scenes throughout, though the ladies may find them
more amusing than the men. Charles and Caroline become as stubborn as each
other, determined to beat the other. Also, watch out for Harriet and her
disguise. As we hear baby Grace talking (when she is not crying), she was
credited as a co-star.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
151. Come, Let Us Reason Together
Guest Star: E.M. Margolese (Benjamin Cohen) Bea Silvern (Edna Cohen)
Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson) Katherine MacGregor (Mrs. Oleson) Alison Arngrim
(Nellie) Steve Tracy (Percival)
Percival's parents decide to pay a visit. Mrs. Oleson and Mr. Percival
don't hit it off so well. Mrs. Oleson is strongly against Mr. Percival's
idea of raising Nellie's child as a Jew. An agreement is finally reached
between the two. A girl would be Christian and a boy would be Jewish.
Nellie ends up having twins, a boy and a girl.
b: 12-Jan-1981 w: Carole Raschella & Michael Raschella d: Michael Landon
NOTE: As this a more personal story there are few town's folk and Ingalls.
Also Mr. Oleson, Mrs. Oleson, Nellie and Percival are credited as guests.
The strong battling performances between Mrs. Oleson and Benjamin Cohen
are noteworthy. Benjamin Cohen's and Mrs. Oleson's many facial expressions
can be a delight to watch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
152. The Nephews
Guest Star: Woody Eney (Royal Wilder) Aileen Fitzpatrick (Millie Wilder)
Almanzo's brother, Royal, leaves his two kids with the Wilders while he
and his wife are on vacation. Laura and Almanzo have their hands full
taking care of these boys.
b: 19-Jan-1981 w: Chris Abbott d: William F. Claxton
NOTE: Though the two nephews were credited as co-stars, they were main
features and are right little horrors. Laura takes no prisoners either, as
they get up to some outrageous pranks.
Prepare to laugh all the way through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
153. Make A Joyful Noise
Guest Star: Keith Coogan (Timothy as Keith Mitchell)
Joe Hagen moves to Sleepy Eye to help at the blind school. He begins to
fall in love with Hester Sue. However, she is planning to marry someone
that has a more promising future. One day Hester Sue hears Joe comforting
one of the blind students. Hearing this makes her decide not to marry the
other person.
b: 26-Jan-1981
NOTE: Keith Coogan AKA Keith Mitchell is
the grandson of Jackie Coogan, best known as the first child star in
Hollywood landing his first job starring with Charlie Chaplin in "The Kid"
and later as an adult in the role of Uncle Fester on the original Adams
Family show. Keith as a teenager had roles in films such as Adventures in
Babysitting and Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter Is Dead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
154. Goodbye, Mrs. Wilder
Mrs. Oleson wants Laura to add several courses to her school curriculum,
including art appreciation and French. Since Laura believes that the kids
don't need to know these subjects, she quits. Mrs. Oleson is the person
who takes over as teacher. The school board finally tells Mrs. Oleson that
a rural farming community does not need to teach these subjects. After
this, Laura gets her old job back.
b: 02-Feb-1981
NOTE: Very funny episode that discusses the importance of having a school
curriculum appropriate for the local community (e.g., agriculture classes
and the three "R's"). It's a pleasure to watch Mrs. Oleson fall flat on
her face -- and have her husband say to her, "I told you so," at the end.
This episode also teaches that children probably shouldn't take matters
into their own hands. That's in reference to Albert's scheme to have the
class become totally unruly and drive Mrs. Oleson to resign when the
school superintendent visits.
It is only after the state school
superintendent tells Mrs. Oleson that French and art appreciation are
inappropriate for a rural community (such as Walnut Grove) that she
finally relents. Or does she? After her husband basically tells her, "I
told you so," she mutters disgustedly to herself, "Agriculture!"
Finally, there's the matter of Willie
Oleson, who is sent to the corner THREE times (possibly a series record),
but only once is it for his actual misbehavior (for imitating a burro
during Laura's opening-scene lecture on cities of the U.S.; it was part of
a homophone joke with the words borough and burro). The two other times
comes when *his own mother* believes he's disrupting the class (when a new
classroom bully, Ralph, slaps Willie upside the head and then pulls his
hair). It is a pleasure, then, to watch newly-returned Laura send Ralph to
the corner in the final scene when she catches him pulling Willie's hair
with her peripheral vision!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
155. Sylvia (1)
Guest Star: Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb) Richard Jaeckel (Irv Hartwig)
Royal Dano (Mr. Webb)
Albert falls in love with a schoolgirl, Sylvia. Her father disapproves of
her seeing anyone. Albert and Sylvia secretly see each other. After Sylvia
gets raped by someone, her father tells her to keep it a secret. Albert
gets heartbroken when he finds out that Sylvia is pregnant. Soon, he talks
to Sylvia and learns the truth about the pregnancy.
b: 09-Feb-1981 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: In 1982 Olivia Barash was nominated for the Young Artist Award for
Best Young Actress in a Television Series for the two Sylvia episodes.
The reason 14-year-old Sylvia's father
won't allow her to see anyone is because she is mature for her age (Barash
was 16 when this episode was filmed in early 1981).
Early in the episode, Mrs. Oleson tries
to get Sylvia expelled from school because she is too developed for her
age and the boys -- including her own son, Willie -- make fun of her.
Harriet is speechless when the school board (seemingly as usual) refuse to
follow the latest of her whims.
And yes, Sylvia is indeed a very beautiful girl, which makes the ending of
this two-part episode extremely heartbreaking. A heart-wrenching story and
more so as the tortured Sylvia must kept quiet about her ordeal, in this
first part of the story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
156. Sylvia (2)
Guest Star: Richard Jaeckel (Irv Hartwig) Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
Royal Dano (Mr. Webb)
Sylvia's father soon decides to move away from Walnut Grove. Albert helps
Sylvia to run away so she wouldn't have to leave. When Albert goes to pick
up some things for Sylvia, he unknowingly tells the rapist where Sylvia
was. The rapist goes after her. The rapist is shot, but not before Sylvia
is badly hurt.
b: 16-Feb-1981 w: Michael Landon d: Michael Landon
NOTE: In 1982 Olivia Barash was nominated for the Young Artist Award for
Best Young Actress in a Television Series for the two Sylvia episodes. The
ending of "Sylvia" is very emotional, with Albert and Sylvia sharing some
tender words before she dies.
Harriet's penchant for gossip causes
trouble once again, as she had learned about Sylvia's pregnancy at the end
of the first part. During the second part, Harriet spreads rumors that
Albert is the baby's father. Albert breaks Willie's nose at school when he
makes some wise cracks, while Caroline throws dough over Harriet's face at
the restaurant. Also during this episode, Caroline and Albert (who has
professed his love for Sylvia and announced his plans to marry the girl)
have a heart-to-heart talk about the young lovers' relationship.
Caroline's heartfelt speech tells there's more to being a mother than just
having a baby, and tells her son Sylvia might not love her child because
it was conceived during an act of violence.
The revelation of the blacksmith --
someone who Albert has put his trust in -- and the emotional final scene
are among the several twists and turns that make this episode one of the
best in the series (as many Albert-centered episodes are).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
157. Blind Justice
Guest Star: Jeff Corey (Edgar Mills) Peter Hobbs (Mr. Davis) John Zaremba
(Judge) Dub Taylor (Houston)
Adam and Mary move back to Walnut Grove so that Adam can start a law
practice there. Adam's first case involves a person who has been swindling
people in Walnut Grove. Adam believes the person is innocent until he
finds out the truth. Adam convinces the jury to have pity on this man who
was just trying to help out his family before he dies.
b: 23-Feb-1981 w: Carole Raschella & Michael Raschella d: Maury Dexter
NOTE: A story of greed and fraud, but things are not exactly what they
appear to be.
Plenty of stars and co-stars in today's episode, in this story that
revolves around Adam.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
158. I Do, Again
Guest Star: James Gallery (Ed Poulsen)
Caroline believes she is going to have another child. She is crushed when
Doc Baker tells her that she will never have any more children. To cheer
his wife up, Mr. Ingalls takes her back to her hometown for a vacation.
While they are in town, both of them renew their wedding vows.
b: 02-Mar-1981 w: Don Balluck d: William F. Claxton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
159. The Lost Ones (1)
Guest Star: George McDaniel (Alvin Cooper) M. E. Loree (Sarah Cooper) Ivan
Bonar (Mr. Case) Jason Bateman (James Cooper) Missy Francis (Cassandra
Cooper) E.J. Andre (Jed Cooper)
Charles and Albert travel with the Cooper family while on a delivery. A
serious accident occurs while the Coopers are going down a steep hill. The
Cooper parents are killed. Charles tries to find Cassandra and James a new
home. When he can't find anyone to take them both in, he feels he has to
send them to an orphanage. After thinking about this idea some more,
Charles decides to take care of the kids himself for a short period.
b: 04-May-1981 w: Don Balluck d: Michael Landon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
160. The Lost Ones (2)
Guest Star: Len Wayland (Isaiah Tompkins) Jason Bateman (James Cooper)
Missy Francis (Cassandra Cooper)
Reverend Alden eventually finds someone to take in the kids. However, this
family just wants them to work. When Cassandra and James run away, their
adoptive father doesn't even go to look for them. When Charles finds the
kids, he tells them that he will adopt them if they could stand the house
being more crowded. They happily agree to stay with the Ingalls.
b: 11-May-1981 w: Don Balluck d: Michael Landon
NOTE: An emotional moment comes when precocious Cassandra sees Caroline
for the first time, immediately bawls and grabs her around the waist.
Apparently, Caroline looks much like the Cooper children's own mother.
Missy Francis would have relatively few
on-camera moments, and she hasn't had movie credits since 1990. Her LHOTP
brother Jason Bateman, meanwhile, has remained very active in show
business since starring in LHOTP. In addition to several episodes built
around Bateman's character, James, he's been a supporting cast member of
"Silver Spoons," and had starring roles in "It's Your Move," "The Hogan
Family," "Simon," "Chicago Sons," "George and Leo," "Some of My Best
Friends" and "It's Not About Me." In addition, he's served as director on
"Brother's Keeper," "Family Matters," "For Your Love" and "Two of a Kind."
Also note: It's a relief to see Jason
Bateman in a role where he doesn't play the part of a scheming teen-ager,
as he would on "Silver Spoons," "It's Your Move" and more often than not
"The Hogan Family." Instead, James Cooper Ingalls seems to be a relatively
normal, shy and insecure young pre-teenager. James' understanding nature
and Caroline's top-rate performance today are noteworthy I believe. Only
being eclipsed by the better performance of Cassandra Cooper (Missy
Francis).
