Season 5
5.01 As Long As We're Together: Part I (90)
5.02 As Long As We're Together: Part II (91)
5.03 The Winoka Warriors (92)
5.04 The Man Inside (93)
5.05 There's No Place Like Home: Part I (94)
5.06 There's No Place Like Home: Part II (95 - 1½ hours)
5.07 Fagin (96)
5.08 Harriet's Happenings (97)
5.09 The Wedding (98)
5.10 Men Will Be Boys (99)
5.11 The Cheaters (100)
5.12 Blind Journey: Part I (101)
5.13 Blind Journey: Part II (102)
5.14 The Godsister (103 - 1½ hours)
5.15 The Craftsman (104)
5.16 Blind Man's Bluff (105)
5.17 Dance With Me (106 - 1½ hours)
5.18 The Sound Of Children (107)
5.19 The Lake Kezia Monster (108)
5.20 Barn Burner (109)
5.21 The Enchanted Cottage (110)
5.22 Someone Please Love Me (111)
5.23 Mortal Mission (112)
5.24 The Odyssey (113)
Starring: Michael Landon, Karen Grassle (1-10,12-15,17-21,23,241), Melissa Gilbert (1-21,222,23,24), Melissa Sue Anderson (1-6,9,12,13,16-18,21,231), Lindsay Sidney Greenbush3 (1-21,23,241). Executive Producer: Michael Landon. Produced by Kent McCray (1,2,4,5,7,9,14,15,17,19,20,24), William F. Claxton (3,6,8,10-13,16,18,21-23). Developed for Television by Blanche Hanalis. Based Upon the "Little House" Series of Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson 1-3,5-9,12,13,15,17,19-21,23), Katherine MacGregor4 (Mrs. Oleson 1-3,5-9,11-13,15,17,19-21,23), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson 1-3,5-8,11-13,15,17-20,23), Jonathan Gilbert5 (Willie Oleson 1-3,56,6-8,11-13,15,17-20,23), Merlin Olsen (Jonathan Garvey 1-3,5,6,8,10-15,17,19,20,23), Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey 1-8,10-14,19-21,23), Patrick Laborteaux7 (Andy Garvey 1-8,10-14,19,20,23), Matthew Laborteaux7 (Albert 1-21,23,24), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Baker 6-8,12,13,15,16,18,20,21,23,24), Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden 6,9,12,13,17,19,20), Linwood Boomer (Adam Kendall 1-4,6,9,12,13,16-18,21,23).
John T. Dugan (Executive Story Consultant), David Rose (Music 1-14,158,16-24), Kent McCray (Associate Producer 3,6,8,10-13,16,18,21-23), Ted Voigtländer A.S.C. (Director of Photography 1,2,4,5,7,9,14,159,17,19,21,24), Haskell Boggs A.S.C. (Director of Photography 3,6,8,10-13,16,18,20,22,23), Walter M. Jefferies (Art Director), Jerry Taylor (Editor 1,2,4,6,7,11,13-16,19,21,24), John Loeffler (Editor 3,5,8-10,12,17,18,20,22,23), Don Webb (Set Decoration), Miles S. Middough (Assistant Director 1,2,4,6,7,9,14,15,17,19,21,24), Maury Dexter (Assistant Director 3,5,8,10-13,16,18,20,22,23), Susan Sukman10 (Casting), Marvin Coil A.C.E. (Supervising Editor), Allan Snyder S.M.A. (Makeup), Larry Germain C.H.S. (Hair Stylist), Mike Termini (Men's Costumer), Richalene Kelsay (Women's Costumer), Vince Gutierrez (Sound Effects Editor), Robert Gutknecht (Music Editor), Edward P. Ancona (Color Consultant), Frank Meadows (Sound Recording), Dave Dockendorf (Sound Recording), Reid Rummage (Second Assistant Director), Gary L. Wohlleben (Production Controller), Photographed with Panavision Equipment®, Processed by Consolidated Film Industries, Sound by Glen Glenn Sound, An NBC Production In Association with Ed Friendly.
Interiors shot at Paramount Studios, Hollywood.
Copyright © MCMLXXVIII [1978] by National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (1-14)
Copyright © MCMLXXIX [1979] by National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (15-24)
1 Credited across all episodes, but only appears in those indicated.
2 Voice-over only on episode 22.
3 Carrie is played jointly by twin actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush.
4 aka Scottie MacGregor.
5 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
6 Appears very briefly in episode 5, running out of the hotel room.
7 Matthew and Patrick Laborteaux are brothers.
8 David Rose won an Emmy for his music for episode 15.
9 Ted Voigtländer won an Emmy for his cinematography for episode 15.
10 aka Susan McCray.
Overall Nielsen rating for season: 23.1 (14th).
Episode# 5.01 (90)1
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast September 11, 1978, NBC / Production #5001
Guest Stars: Leon Charles (Standish), Cletus Young (Harlan). Co-Starring: David Hooks (Mr. Ames), Anne Ramsey (Mrs. Schiller), Richard S. Fullerton (Glover). Featuring: Jodean Lawrence (Josie), Frederic Downs (Mr. Thoms), F. William Parker (Sheriff), Donald Elson (Fred), Michelle Downey (Sue). David Murdock (Customer)2, Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2.
1 This the the first episode for Albert, who would go on to be adopted by the Ingalls. This was an idea by Michael Landon so son-related (as well as daughter-related) issues could be included on the show. Actor Matthew Laborteaux had already appeared twice, playing a young Charles Ingalls.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
The Ingalls, along with the Olesons and Garveys, have all moved to Winoka to escape the financial hardships of Walnut Grove. Mary and Adam both have teaching jobs at a local blind school, while Charles and Caroline get live-in jobs running a hotel owned by Miles Standish, an aggressive and ill-mannered local businessman. The Ingalls also befriend Albert, a light-fingered street urchin who lives rough.
As the Ingalls drive into Winoka, Charles says he's never seen so many people before in his life. But wouldn't there have been more people in Chicago, which he visited in Times Of Change?
When Charles departs the blind school after dropping off Mary, his hat suddenly jumps from his hands to his head as he leaves.
When we see Mr. Standish standing on the stairs in the saloon, we can see some of the ceiling above him appears to be made of stretched fabric. (Steve)
Alice says, "I know we are going to do all right here." Honestly? Because your husband has been such a good provider before? At least in WG you could grow food to feed your family and keep animals. I thought about it, and other than Nels, not a darn man on that show could provide for his family. Charles was only a hobby farmer that even with a second job could not really provide for the family. Heck, Edwards had a bigger place than he did. Garvey had a problem with fires burning up his crops (and his wife). Almanzo was horrible with money, always spending before he got it. If not for the wives working, Caroline at the restaurant, Alice at the post office and Laura as a school teacher, those families would have starved to death. (merylinkid)
OTHER COMMENTS
Episode# 5.02 (91)
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast September 18, 1978, NBC / Production #5002
Guest Stars: Leon Charles (Standish), Cletus Young (Harlan). Co-Starring: David Hooks (Mr. Ames), Jodean Lawrence (Josie), Donald Elson (Fred), Richard S. Fullerton (Glover). Featuring: Adam Gunn (Jeb Standish), John Joseph Thomas (Spence), Charles Alvin Bell (Mr. Davis), Michelle Downey (Sue). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Ivan Wideman (Thomas)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
The Ingalls plan a surprise party for Mary's birthday, and Charles sells his fiddle to a junk store to get enough money for a present. Caroline then spies the instrument in the store window and secretly buys it back. A pair of thugs harass Adam and Mary, and start a fight with Charles when he intervenes. Charles is bloodied and bruised but Garvey finds those responsible in the saloon and beats them up in return. At her party, Mary presents the fiddle back to her father.
One of many occasions where people use the word "Okay" (e.g. Adam, near the start of Part 2, and with Caroline and Alice in the street shortly after). The word wasn't in use for many DECADES yet. (Steve)
It's one thing to not have continuity from one episode to the next, but yesterday I saw Mary's 16th birthday party in the Big Bad City and noticed a big goof (no, I don't mean Adam). When Adam and Mary are leaving for the (surprise) party and she tells him not to mention her birthday, just in case her parents forgot. But when opening her presents, she explains that it is the fiddle because she and Ma had talked it over. Well, if they talked it over, obviously her birthday hadn't been forgotten. (camom)
Episode# 5.03 (92)
Written by John T. Dugan
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast September 25, 1978, NBC / Production #5003
Guest Stars: John Ireland (Frank Carlin), Leon Charles (Standish), Brad Wilkin (Tom Carlin). Co-Starring: Peter Canon (Mr. Hoskins), J. Andrew Kenny (Luke), Glenn Robards (Snyder). Featuring: Adam Gunn (Jeb Standish), John Joseph Thomas (Spence), Ivan Wideman (Thomas), Michelle Downey (Sue). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Clay Greenbush2 (School Kid)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
2 Clay Greenbush is the brother of Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (who play Carrie).
With Jonathan as coach, the new public school puts together a football team, The Winoka Warriors, and challenges the undefeated private school to a game. Both sides attempt to unbalance the match in their own favor. But it is Tom Carlin, a disillusioned attendee of the blind school, who becomes the Warriors' secret weapon, and helps the underdogs on to victory.
Early on, when Albert is eating breakfast, he has a sticking plaster (a band-aid) around one of his fingers. These were not available until 1921.
I never noticed this before, but the football uniforms that the rich Winoka school team wore today are the same exact uniforms they dragged out a few seasons later when that obsessed football coach friend of Nels comes to town to start a team in WG. I'm beginning to understand how ML always kept the show under budget! (coffeemom)
I thought it was funny that in this episode Andy says, "My father don't know nothing about football," when in fact Merlin Olsen (who played Andy's father) used to play professional football!!! (HYPER)
That's a hard one for me to watch, not just because it's dumb but because the episode was clearly shot in the middle of summer on a brutally oppressive day. I just can't watch those damn kids play football in the hot dirt while wearing heavy wool sweaters. (Tim McD)
According to wisdom elsewhere on the net: "The final score of the football game is shown as 26-24. The only way to score points in football in the late 1800's was by a touchdown (6 points) or safety (2 points). The score of the game was 24-24 until the last play, when Albert made it into the end zone, and the referee declared the play as a touchdown. The scorekeeper then added two points to the scoreboard, but he should have added six to make the final score 30-24."
Episode# 5.04 (93)
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast October 2, 1978, NBC / Production #5004
Guest Stars: Cliff Emmich (John Bevins), Kate Woodville (Bess Bevins). Co-Starring: Julie Anne Haddock (Amelia), Walker Edmiston (Dr. Moore), David Hooks (Mr. Ames). Featuring: Sam Edwards (Postman), Hap Lawrence (Smitty), Michelle Downey (Sue), Ivan Wideman (Thomas), David Murdock (Apple Vendor). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Laura and the kids make fun of an obese man, Mr. Bevins, without realizing he is the father of a new friend in their gang, Amelia. Thinking his daughter is thus ashamed of him, Bevins moves out of his home and pretends that he's found work out of town. In fact, he begins to live secretly in a storeroom at the blind school, where he has a handyman job. Then, Bevins has an accident and becomes critically ill, but he has no will to get better. Amelia tearfully expresses her love for her father at his bedside and the man begins to recover.
Today was another tertiary morbidly obese person comes to town, Mr. Bevins, snif snif sob sob. And his daughter was, naturally, Laura's best friend. It's ok to make fun of Harriet for being plump but not ok to make fun of Mr. Bevins so says archangel Michael Landon. (becky14624)
Bevins must be a bit naive to think that news of him living at the blind school won't get back to his wife/daughter. And wouldn't he realize that the letter he sends back to his family will carry a Winoka postmark? (Steve)
Episode# 5.05 (94)
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast October 9, 1978, NBC / Production #5007
Guest Star: Leon Charles (Standish). Special Guest Star: Ray Bolger (Toby Noe). Co-Starring: Jodean Lawrence (Josie), Donald Elson (Fred), Herb Armstrong (Harold). Featuring: Adam Gunn (Jeb), John Joseph Thomas (Spence), Harlan Green (Fire Captain), Frank D'Annibale (Man #1). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Fed up with his boss, Standish, Charles contemplates returning to Walnut Grove but is reluctant to because of Mary's post at the blind school. Meanwhile, both Jonathan Garvey and Nels Oleson lose their jobs with Standish and decide to return home. Mary tells her father not to stay in Winoka simply for her sake, so now all three families prepare to leave. On their last night, Standish's son accidentally sets off some fireworks which are being stored in the saloon, and the place burns. Watching the spectacle gives Charles, Jonathan and Nels great pleasure. Meanwhile, there's a lesson in money-management to be learned for lottery winner Toby Noe.
In the episode, Mary is having a heart-to-heart with Pa (many manly tears were falling) and at one point, Mary said, "Look at me Pa," waited a few moments and said again, "Look at me Pa." Okay, how the hell did she know if he was looking at her or not? I could understand the first one – but to repeat herself? Of course Pa didn't look at her until the second time she said it, but how did she know? Did she feel a breeze from all his hair when ML turned his head? Did she hear him turning his hair? (murphsully)
[An episode] I really liked was in the last Winoka episode with the Fourth of July and the fireworks controversy and all that, when everyone decides, "Screw it, we're going back to Walnut Grove!!"... I could really feel the excitement and exhilaration in those scenes. Just like I could feel the Ingalls' frustration in the scenes where the noise from the bar next door is keeping everyone awake at night. And the way it totally was true to character how Mrs. Oleson thrived in the city while everyone else was miserable. It all felt authentic to the characters and well written. (If you don't understand what I mean by authentic, contrast those storylines and the emotional reactions of the characters with, say, Pa in He Was Only Twelve. Or Ma in the one where she lies to Pa about starting menopause. Or Laura turning into a shrieking shrew with Manly and her students at the school. Etc., etc.) (coffeemom)
Episode# 5.06 (95) – 1½ hours
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast October 16, 1978, NBC / Production #5008
Guest Star: Karl Swenson (Mr. Hanson)1. Featuring: Ancel Cook (Caulder), Michelle Downey (Sue), Ivan Wideman (Thomas). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2.
1 This is the last episode for Karl Swenson as Mr. Hanson.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
The Ingalls, Garveys and Olesons head back to Walnut Grove. Charles invites street-urchin Albert to come back with them. Apart from a few weeds and cobwebs, the old place doesn't seem too different, and everybody sets about tidying things up. However, Mr. Hanson, Walnut Grove's founder, has been crippled by a stroke brought on by the erstwhile decline of his town. Despite his illness, Hanson finds the strength to attend the first service in the restored church. A few months later, Hanson dies, but now a contented man.
I have always been mystified why the entire street didn't go up in flames when Mean Mr. Standish's den of iniquity went up in flames and the fire department didn't have any working fire-fighting equipment. But next morning there is no sign there even was a fire on that street the night before. (Snarkian)
Everybody is having breakfast and Caroline remarks that it's almost 6am. The streets outside seem very busy for that time of the morning.
At about 21 mins in, we see the Ingalls family heading back to Walnut Grove in their covered wagon. In some shots, we can see right through to the back of the wagon, revealing that there is nobody inside (there should be five people inside).
Episode# 5.07 (96)
Written by Carole and Michael Raschella
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast October 23, 1978, NBC / Production #5010
Featuring: Kraig Metzinger (Denzil), Hal Riddle (Judge), James Mendenhall (Fair Official). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Laura becomes jealous of the extra attention her father pays to new family member, Albert, especially after the boy is given a new calf, dubbed Fagin, to raise for the county fair. On the eve of the fair, after overhearing Charles and Caroline talking about Laura's jealousy, Albert runs away, leaving Laura to take care of Fagin. The next day, Fagin wins, but Laura bestows the honor on "her brother" Albert who has sneaked along to see how the calf fares.
According to the Internet Movie Database: "Albert says Fagin's sire was a purebred Hereford (a red and white breed). Fagin is actually a purebred Angus (a solid black breed). While Herefords and Angus are crossed the resulting calves normally are black (instead of red) with white markings."
Laura gives Nellie a punch with connects with Nellie's left eye. Later, though, Nellie has a black right eye.
At the cattle show, the judges announce 3 bulls go forward to the final. However, at the final, there are 4 animals. Perhaps there was another heat, though? Or am I being too kind?
Episode# 5.08 (97)
Written by John T. Dugan
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast October 30, 1978, NBC / Production #5009
Guest Stars: King Moody (Otto Schiller), Ike Eisenmann (Erich Schiller). Special Guest Star: John Hillerman (Murdock). Co-Starring: Lisa Perá (Maria Schiller). Featuring: Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster), Laurie Beach (Jenny Crawford), Stacey O'Brien (Sarah Fuller), Carl Pitti (Customer). Maggie Munro (Student)1, Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Sterling Murdock arrives in Walnut Grove and starts a newspaper, "The Pen & Plow". He installs his cousin, Harriet Oleson, as writer of the paper's gossip column, the spiteful contents of which upset several residents. When Mrs. Oleson suggests Charles Ingalls secretly fathered adopted son Albert outside his marriage, Charles has had enough and exposes the work of Murdock and Mrs. Oleson in church on Sunday – Murdock and his rag are forced out of business.
It's a bit ambiguous, but Harriet seems to say that "Alison" Garvey betrayed her. But Mrs Garvey's first name is Alice.
During the spelling bee, Erich Schiller gets his spelling wrong (he spells "repetitious" as "r-e-p-I-t-i-t-i-o-u-s") but is told it is correct.
When Charles takes the Sunday church service, I'm glad to see he bothered to dress up. Not. Would it have killed him to put on a tie, at the very least? (Steve)
According to the Internet Movie Database: "Charles refers to the 'Pen & Plow' as 'yellow journalism', but the term wasn't coined until 1895 during the newspaper circulation wars in New York City."
In Exodus 20, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor," is the 9th commandment, not the 8th (as Charles claims in the church).
Episode# 5.09 (98)
Written by Arthur Heinemann
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast November 6, 1978, NBC / Production #5013
Co-Starring: Lou Fant (Reverend Corliss), David Hooks (Mr. Ames). Featuring: Michelle Downey (Susan), Ivan Wideman (Thomas), Gina Smika1 (Elizabeth), Robert Ackerman (Manager), Christopher Bowman (George), Michael P. Alan (Peter). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2.
1 aka Gina Smika Hunter.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Adam proposes to Mary, and she accepts. However, Mary starts to have doubts when she considers how hard it is going to be for her and Adam to care for a baby given they are blind. During a picnic, the kids from the blind school are caught in a sandstorm. Mary winds up saving one of the girls, and so comes to realize she does have what it takes to be a mother. In the end, the wedding goes on, and the couple are delighted to find that Reverend Alden has traveled from Walnut Grove to officiate.
Only doctors and the like used the word "pregnant" back then (used by Charles). Women were "expecting" or "with child" etc. (Steve)
Then they go off to look for Susan. Okay, question. How did the girl get that far lost?? They were all on the wagon, and they all had to get off the wagon. So Susan just said, Hey, I'll walk this way when I get off, even though I don't have a clue where I am going in this big dust storm? (AlexaD)
Especially prominent in this episode were Mary's little acrylic nails on the prairie. (SwearBaby)
And ML was indeed rockin' the 1970's leisure suit for the ceremony; somehow don't think that the real CI was able to visit the disco outfit section of the Mercantile before he went to the wedding. (prairiegirl)
I thought it was sweet that Reverend Alden braved the dust storm to enter dramatically in to the middle of Mary and Adam's wedding ceremony and take over, but I was totally expecting Adam to be all, "And you are?" Even at the very end of the ceremony when Alden said, "You may kiss the bride," I was hoping Adam would kiss Mary and then go, "Who's that guy who married us? Is he licensed or anything?" How awesomely confusing for the groom and all their mline guests. (heid3ster)
Episode# 5.10 (99)
Written by Don Balluck
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast November 13, 1978, NBC / Production #5005
Co-Starring: Charles Cooper (Constable), Dorothy Konrad (Mrs. Channing), Gus Peters (Cooper). Featuring: Ancel Cook (Caulder), Will Hunt (Postmaster), Pat Cranshaw (Spokes), Jack Perkins (Lundstrum). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Albert and Andy seem in a rush to take on grown-up responsibilities, so their fathers, Charles and Jonathan, challenge them to survive on a week-long hike alone in the woods. But the men follow on behind in secret to check the kids are OK. Every obstacle which presents itself to the boys is successfully overcome, which is more than can be said for their fathers, who fare poorly and end up wet and hungry most of the time.
What always got me about Men Will Be Boys is that it hadn't been all that long since Albert had been pulled off the streets of Winoka. Why it never occurred to Charles that Albert would have no problem getting himself and Andy to Sleepy Eye is beyond me. (PJWatcher)
I think it's the funniest ML/MO [Merlin Olsen] episode for sure. Especially when the cop is questioning why they're standing out in the rain watching the boys in the boarding house and he gets the wrong idea, and Pa is all "you're wrong!" Also recently I've heard that MO and Patrick L. both said that this was their all-time favorite LH episode to do. (coffeemom)
I too love Men Will Be Boys. I think MO and ML had good chemistry together (not in that way, Jezebels), and it's hilarious towards the end when they are tired and hungry and snapping at each other, particularly when they are trying to cross a raging river via a fallen tree. (Shakespearette)
Episode# 5.11 (100)
Written by Arthur Heinemann
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast November 20, 1978, NBC / Production #5014
[No additional cast.]
Andy Garvey's grades at school are falling, so Nellie Oleson shows him how to cheat in tests. Albert Ingalls' grades are also falling, but for a different reason: to be popular with the other kids. Laura finds out and rats on both boys to her father, Charles. Charles has a "quiet word" with Andy, and the boy then confesses in front of the whole class. Andy's parents realize they are partly responsible, having pushed their son too hard. Charles has another quiet word, this time with Albert, and thus fixes that problem too.
Before she leaves the house, Alice puts away the test questions in a drawer which she leaves open a little. When Andy goes over to the drawer a few seconds later, it is fully closed.
As Laura and the other students are taking the first BIG test she looks over at Andy to see if he is cheating. When she looks over, the black board behind him is clean, but when the camera is at a new angle, focusing on Andy, the black board has a list of names and numbers! Must be they taped the scene in two parts.
Finally, I noticed that Alice Garvey had Laura pass out the test papers before the test and there were no questions written on the board. My question, did Alice hand write each test paper for all of the students? Usually when there is a test we can see the questions on the blackboard or it is given orally – not this time. I don't think she had carbon copy paper or a copier machine. (Lori A)
Episode# 5.12 (101)
Teleplay by John T. Dugan, story by Carole and Michael Raschella and John T. Dugan
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast November 27, 1978, NBC / Production #5011
Guest Star: Leon Charles (Mr. Standish). Special Guest Star: Moses Gunn (Joe Kagan). Co-Starring: Don "Red" Barry (Larrabee), David Hooks (Mr. Ames). Featuring: Donald Elson (Fred), Michelle Downey (Sue), Ivan Wideman (Thomas). Jack Lilley (Townsman)1, Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
The blind school in Winoka is bought by Mr. Standish, who turns the occupants out. However, Mr. Hanson's old house in Walnut Grove is available, so the school decides to move there, with glory-seeking Mrs. Oleson volunteering to sponsor the renovation project. Joe Kagan and Charles transport the kids from Winoka by wagon, with Mrs. Oleson along as "help". On the arduous journey, Mrs. Oleson experiences problems with Kagan's color.
Back in Walnut Grove the Grovians were preparing the Hanson house for the school. Was it terrible of me to wonder why they went to all the trouble of painting? I just had to laugh out loud when it showed Alice washing windows. (robinette)
Right now, watching Blind Journey, also known as "Lets Abuse Some Mline Kids By Forcing Them To Walk From Dakota Territory To Minnesota Who Needs Social Services?"
I mean, really? Why not bring a third wagon from WG to make sure all the kids had a ride? But this show gave us this classic line: "Don't worry, Miz Oleson. Black folks take baths, too! Heh Heh Heh!" (prairiegal)
There was only enough room for school supplies in the wagons. I suppose asking neighbors for extra wagons would have been unheard of because Pa Ingalls knew his friends and neighbors would never help him out in a bind. As they did countless times. Sure, let a bunch of mline kids walk a couple hundred miles over rough territory. It builds character and allows previously bigoted folks to see the error of their ways. (mmecorday)
Episode# 5.13 (102)
Teleplay by John T. Dugan, story by Carole and Michael Raschella and John T. Dugan
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast December 4, 1978, NBC / Production #5012
Guest Star: Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue)1. Special Guest Star: Moses Gunn (Joe Kagan). Co-Starring: Don "Red" Barry (Larrabee), Bill Quinn (Conductor). Featuring: Marcus Wyatt2 (Samson), Michelle Downey (Sue), Ivan Wideman (Thomas).
1 This is the first episode for Ketty Lester as Hester-Sue Terhune.
2 aka Marcus Chong.
On their way to Walnut Grove, the kids from Winoka merge with a set of pupils from another blind school – mostly black, to Mrs. Oleson's further annoyance. Continuing the difficult journey, Joe Kagan begins to flirt with the leader of the other school, a single lady called Hester-Sue. All eventually arrive safely in Walnut Grove, the long trip having seemingly mellowed Mrs. Oleson's attitudes to black people considerably.
Still, it's a good tale.
On the way back to Walnut Grove with the blind children, they camped out for the night during a rain storm. Joe K. and Pa are having a conversation and you see Samson in the background covering himself with a blanket. When Joe walks over to Samson the blanket is gone and then as they begin to talk the blanket is up to the boy's chin. (Lori L)
Episode# 5.14 (103) – 1½ hours
Written by Don Balluck
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast December 18, 1978, NBC / Production #5006
Guest Star: Dolph Sweet (Swaggart). Special Guest Star: Tom Clancy (Shaughnessy). Co-Starring: George D. Wallace (Perkins), Burke Byrnes (Watkins), William Wintersole (Henderson). Featuring: Patrick Sullivan Burke (Head Angel), Carl Pitti (Len) and E. J. Andre (St. Peter). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)1.
1 Voice-over only. Uncredited on episode's titles.
Jonathan Garvey and Charles get a job putting up telephone poles away from home. Carrie misses her father, and everybody else is too busy to play with her, so she invents an imaginary twin friend, and the pair play together in a fantastical dreamscape each time Carrie sleeps. Meanwhile, in the telephone-pole gang, everybody has to work extra hard in order to earn a bonus. The work finishes, literally, with a bang – a still, that the cook has been secretly using to make booze, blows up in a spectacular fashion.
I was so excited for yesterday's marathon, but I agree, what an odd selection! That ep on Carrie and her imaginary friend had to be the most painful hour (hour and a half? I don't remember eps running that long) of TV EVER. Not only can Carrie not act, but she can barely talk (unless you call whining talking). Two Carries are not better than one. And all the psychedelic crazy stuff about mini-Carries sleeping on an oversized penny amidst the flowers – creeeepee. That ep was good if good means really, really bad. (TheRealJanBrady)
The subplot with Charles and Jonathan erecting telephone poles is just about the least interesting thing ever filmed, including anything Stephen Baldwin has done in the past 15 years. (mmecorday)
Carrie is saying her prayers: "God bless Ma and Pa, and Mary and Adam, and Laura and Grace, and Bandit!" What about poor Albert? Doesn't she want God to bless him too? (Jimmy H)
Episode# 5.15 (104)1,2
Written by Paul Wolff
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast January 8, 1979, NBC / Production #5018
Guest Stars: Alvin Kupperman (Aaron Singerman), Frank de Kova (Brower), Don "Red" Barry (Larrabee). Special Guest Star: John Bleifer (Isaac Singerman). Co-Starring: Tony Becker (Zeke), Christian Berrigan (Lem). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)3, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)3.
1 Ted Voigtländer won an Emmy for his cinematography for this episode.
2 David Rose won an Emmy for his music for this episode.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Albert becomes an apprentice to a Jewish carpenter, Mr. Singerman, but his classmates bully him and accuse him of being a Jew-lover. Albert learns to take pride in his work and, when Mr. Singerman dies at the end of the summer, Albert follows his tradition of planting an acorn to grow a tree to repay the earth for the one he used in his carpentry.
Oy vey! Just how many clichés about Jewish people could ML pack into a single episode (and have some more left over for when Percival's parents show up)? And I guess Laura had matured to a point where it wasn't cute for her to befriend old men. DripLip [Albert] had to step up to the plate for this oft-used plotline. (mmecorday)
Episode# 5.16 (105)
Written by Arthur Heinemann
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast January 15, 1979, NBC / Production #5016
Guest Stars: Bert Kramer (Timothy), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Belle), Ronnie Scribner (Jordan), Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue). Featuring: Maureen Lee (Mrs. Herzog), Wesley Grant1 (Mr. Herzog), Michelle Downey (Sue), Vince Tortell (Thomas), Lisa Scribner (Hannah).
1 aka Wesley Bishop.
Laura is horrified to witness a fall that blinds her friend, Jordan. The boy's sight later returns but he continues to feign blindness in order to encourage his quarreling parents not to divorce – a plan which succeeds. However, Jordan has a second accident and fractures his skull. The boy eventually comes out of his coma, and with normal sight... but claims he remembers nothing right from the day of his first accident. Laura is unsure whether this is the truth or just Jordan's way of releasing himself from having to fake blindness forever.
Episode# 5.17 (106) – 1½ hours
Written by Paul Wolff
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast January 22, 1979, NBC / Production #5015
Guest Star: Eileen Heckart (Amanda). Special Guest Star: Ray Bolger (Toby Noe). Co-Starring: Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue), Ysabel MacCloskey (Widow Mumford), Sean Frye (Jason), Al Eisenmann (Ned), Dan Priest (Dispatcher). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Toby Noe, a friend the Ingalls met in Winoka, is staying with the family. When spirited spinster Amanda Cooper catches his eye, Toby sets out to woo her, but she is determined to keep him at arm's length. Meanwhile, at school, Laura is making a play for a boy, Jason. But the path of love is not easy and both Toby and Laura end up going to the annual barn dance alone but, by the end of the evening, each is with the partner they want.
I found it very interesting that Laura had a peanut butter sandwich to give to Ned, since peanut butter wasn't introduced until 1890. (Rachel L)
Episode# 5.18 (107)
Written by Carole and Michael Raschella
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast February 5, 1979, NBC / Production #5019
Guest Star: Ellen Regan (Miss Elliott). Special Guest Star: Philip Abbott (Giles Kendall). Co-Starring: Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue), Dain C. Turner (Eli). Featuring: Martha Nix (Holly), Michelle Downey (Susan)1, Vince Tortell (Thomas), Christopher Bowman (Benjamin), Naomi White (Miss Bennett). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)2.
1 Only seen from behind.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Mary discovers she is pregnant. On hearing the news, Adam's estranged father uncharacteristically decides to pay a visit. He invites Adam and Mary to return to New York with him and for Adam to enter the lucrative legal profession. Sadly, Mary suffers a miscarriage, and Adam's father suddenly loses interest. It turns out that helping his blind son was not so much his agenda as ensuring contact with his future grandchild. Meanwhile, young Albert has a crush on a new temporary schoolmistress, but is put off when he finds out she is engaged.
I went ape-shit yelling at the TV … because PEANUT BUTTER … SANDWICHES DIDN'T FUCKING EXIST YET! (BetsyRay)
Anyone else find it... interesting... that TV Mary's wedding date was set only 3 weeks after her engagement... and that she was already 3 months pregnant so soon after the wedding? My theory is that kissing may not have been the only thing going on with Adam in Prisspot's bedroom... (sleepyeye)
That first scene where Mary is trying to tell Adam that she's pregnant is SO ANNOYING. Am I the only one that was bugged by this? They keep getting interrupted by these stupid ass things, and Mary just goes along and lets herself be interrupted, over and over. Drives me insane to watch it, I'm like, "Just TELL HIM!" Then when she finally blurts it out after, like, two hours of this, they have to have their little "moment" together and leave poor Hester-Sue locked in the bathroom. This was also the first episode I ever realized Adam was cute. When he and Mary are in bed and she says they can move to New York and he's like, "I'll make you proud of me," or something? That's a fine lookin' blind man. (coffeemom)
How far along in her pregnancy was Mary supposed to be when she miscarried? She wasn't showing at all, so I thought that she was in her first trimester. If that was the case, how is it possible that Doc Baker could tell the baby was a boy? I mean, the fetus would have been the size of a lima bean for cryin' out loud! Obviously, a man, who didn't know anything about the development process of human beings, wrote the episode. (BrainyBlonde)
The Trials of Prisspot were many and varied, but I did like that ML went out of his way to illustrate that her life was not over when she went blind. RL [real-life] Mary had a very sedate life it seemed, primarily lived with her family and almost exclusively so after she returned from school. It was not realistic for the time to depict blind people living quite so independently, but for the seventies I thought the depiction fit since there were more opportunities. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Michael Landon at least approached a disability as not being the end of life altogether. I think it is part of the reason he couldn't resist putting Prisspot through all kinds of hell, almost to the extent of overusing her character as the go-to for the next horrific happening. (stillshimpy)
Episode# 5.19 (108)
Written by John T. Dugan
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast February 12, 1979, NBC / Production #5020
Special Guest Star: Hermione Baddeley (Kezia). Featuring: John Miranda (Flint).
Desiring a summer residence, Mrs. Oleson buys the house by the lake currently occupied by Kezia Horn. As a compromise, Mrs. Oleson agrees that Kezia can stay on if she acts as her maid. Andy Garvey, Laura and Albert hatch a plan to drive the Olesons away: they get Kezia to concoct a story about a monster that inhabits the lake and then dress up as the monster. The plan works and the Olesons run away screaming.
Everybody refers to "The Loch Ness Monster" in this episode. However, this soubriquet wasn't used for the supposed being in the loch until 1933.
Episode# 5.20 (109)
Written by Don Balluck
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast February 19, 1979, NBC / Production #5021
Guest Stars: Jeff Corey (Judge Parker), Don "Red" Barry (Larrabee). Special Guest Star: Moses Gunn (Kagan). Co-Starring: Joan Tompkins (Adele Larrabee), Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue), James O'Connell (Bates), Larry Golden (Matt), Tony Becker (Zeke), Christian Berrigan (Lem). Featuring: Brett Ericson (Tod), Carl Pitti (Carl), Ruth Foster (Woman #1).
Jud Larrabee breaks a price agreement decided with his fellow farmers, mainly because of his dislike of black farmer Joe Kagan. Outraged, Jonathan Garvey confronts Larrabee in front of his family. Later, buoyed up by drink, a vengeful Larrabee storms off to the Garvey house, but young Andy is the only one home and Larrabee lashes out at him. When the Garveys return, they find their barn in flames; Larrabee is arrested as the likely culprit. However, Andy confesses he could have accidentally started the fire himself while dazed. Larrabee is found guilty of the assault of Andy although not guilty of barn-burning. Larrabee's wife takes their sons and leaves him.
Andy did look pretty darn stupid with his bandage on his head. And even worse when he tried to put a hat on over all of it. (Alexa)
Episode# 5.21 (110)
Written by Don Balluck
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast February 26, 1979, NBC / Production #5022
Guest Stars: Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue), Nathan Adler (Dr. Fromm). Featuring: Michelle Downey (Susan), Vince Tortell (Thomas), Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster).
Mary is overjoyed when thinks her sight may be gradually returning, but Adam is privately worried how this will affect their relationship. Meanwhile, Laura and Albert fix up Mr Edwards' old shack as a new home for Mary and Adam, but they decorate it in some unwanted bright-pink paint donated by Mr. Oleson. In Mankato, it is confirmed that Mary's sight is not coming back – she has a condition where she is interpreting radiant heat as being able to "see" light. The girl is devastated, but Laura and Albert present their lurid shack to her anyway.
In the opening scene, Mary quizzes her class about the date of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of Louisiana. One pupil shouts out a date beginning, "Nineteen hundred and..." which is a rather odd response from a schoolkid in the 1800s! Furthermore, the date of 1803 which Mary gives as the correct answer is dubious: the purchase was in 1803 but the expedition was 1804-6.
Episode# 5.22 (111)
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast March 5, 1979, NBC / Production #5017
Guest Stars: Charles Cioffi (Harper), Jenny Sullivan (Leslie), Kyle Richards1 (Samantha), Bobby Rolofson (Thomas). Co-Starring: Eddie Quillan (Gargan), Edwin Owens (Sandy). Featuring: Bill McLean (Clerk).
1 Kyle Richards had previously played Alicia Edwards, and would do so again.
During an out-of-town trip to buy some horses, Charles stays with breeder Brett Harper. Harper is emotionally withdrawn from his unhappy family and is trying to lose himself in work and whiskey, blaming himself for the death of one of his sons in a riding accident. Charles temporarily takes the role as the patriarch of the household while he encourages Harper out of his melancholia.
At about 15-minutes in, Leslie comes into the room to tell Brett that the kids are ready for the picnic. In the room behind her, there seems to be a modern, electric light of some sort affixed to the ceiling (although it might be the mount for an absent oil lamp). Also, when Leslie is preening herself in the mirror at about the 30-minute mark, is that a light-switch on the wall over her shoulder? (Steve)
Episode# 5.23 (112)
Written by John T. Dugan
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast March 12, 1979, NBC / Production #5023
Guest Stars: Matt Clark (Seth Berwick), Jerry Hardin (Slade), Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue). Co-Starring: Charles Parks (Virgil Fenton), Peter Kilman (Garth Fenton), Carolyn Conwell (Bess), Bradley Greene (Nate Berwick). Featuring: Dan Priest (Stationmaster), Richard Lockmiller (Rawlings), David Rode (Ethan), Vince Tortell (Thomas), Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster). Brenda Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1, Wendi Turnbaugh (Grace Ingalls)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
When many townsfolk become seriously ill after eating anthrax-infected mutton, the blind school is turned into a makeshift hospital. Charles and Jonathan, among the few who have not fallen sick, rush to get Dr. Baker's urgently needed medicines from the railway station at Springfield. But after collecting them, they are held up and their wagon stolen. On foot, Charles and Jonathan track down the wagon and attempt to steal it back, but are captured by the thief. However, they treat the thief's son – who also has anthrax – and are released with the medicines.
When Doc Baker begins to examine Andy at the blind school, he unbuttons Andy's coat twice.
When Nels arrives at the blind school with the medicine, two guys with a stretcher are carrying a body out. Just as they leave the shot, one of the guys drops his end of the stretcher.
The man who loses his son to anthrax in this episode is played by the same guy who lost his wife and son to typhus in The Plague in the first season. Poor guy had a bad string of luck. (Jennifer M)
Episode# 5.24 (113)
Written by Carole and Michael Raschella
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast March 19, 1979, NBC / Production #5024
Guest Stars: Steve Shaw (Dylan), Melinda Cordell (Gwen), Ken O'Brien (Ferret), J. S. (Joe) Young (Zacc McCabe). Co-Starring: Jim Driskill (Snake), Bill Ewing (Hearst), John Steadman (Jasper), Bill Quinn (Conductor), Gavin Mooney (Stationmaster), Maurice Hill (Editor). Bob Miles (Train Bouncer)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
Laura and Albert help their friend Dylan, who is terminally ill, to realize his dream of seeing the ocean before he dies. The kids begin their journey west by jumping a ride on a train. Charles races to retrieve them, but the children instead persuade him to come along and help out. In San Francisco, William Randolph Hearst, the famous newspaper magnate, gives them a lift to the coast, and Dylan finally sees the ocean. Hearst pays for their fare home in exchange for being allowed to print their story.
Ha, I always laugh because that sheet is treated as blocking out all sound, just like the loft. When Dylan ... is dying of fatal nosebleeds, Doc tells his mother and leaves it up to her to break the news to him, meanwhile Dylan is not six feet away behind that sheet. I also laugh later when Pa asks Dylan's mother if Dylan knew he was dying. She said he just knew, she didn't tell him. Hells yeah he just knew – he was sitting right there when Doc Baker said it. (becky14624)
The note the kids leave behind talks about it being Summer, but nobody in the episode is dressed for Summer weather.
Did Pa bother to send a telegram or anything so Ma and Dylan's ma would know the kids were OK? I imagine the round trip to California took more than a couple of days. (YoungAtHeart)
And good example for Pa to set by beating up the r man who was trying to get them off the train – granted, he was a Clichéd Bad Guy Keeping Pa From His Holy Duties, but way to go Pa – someone is just doing their job. (prairiegirl)
According to the Internet Movie Database: "The black locomotive typically used for a train in the series (the famous Sierra #3 of the Sierra Railroad, a veteran of many movies and TV shows) is shown to make the entire trip from Minnesota to San Francisco. 4-6-0 locomotives such as Sierra #3 did not have enough power to negotiate the mountain grades in the Rockies, and would have been substituted out for more powerful (and, often, multiple) locomotives for the stretch."
And this is the first time I ever noticed this... but Dylan was actually asking to be LEFT there at the ocean, right? That's what I got from his and Pa's conversation: "I don't want my ma to watch me die... If I go back, she'll just watch me die... Shouldn't my last wish be what I want to do?" etc. So are we to believe that they didn't even take Dylan back home after he sees the ocean?? I always liked this one to be honest, snark and all, but if they just left him there, that's ridiculous. (coffeemom)
I guess y'all are right about the not leaving Dylan at the ocean thing. I could see him maybe dying before they got back to WG. I had forgotten also how awfully weak he was. He looked almost dead there in the boxcar at the end, and Pa had to carry him to the beach for his Last Frolic. Which is funny in and of itself, because it seems like Doc Baker told Dylan's ma that he could have 6 months, or 6 weeks left... and aside from the nosebleeds he seems healthy when he tells the Ingalls kids that he's running off to the ocean that very night. Then they arrive at the ocean... when... 2, 3 days later? He went from fine to being at death's door in that short of a time? And even more importantly, why does this even bother me? Lol LH messes with continuity and time? What?? (coffeemom)
5.01 As Long As We're Together: Part I (90)
5.02 As Long As We're Together: Part II (91)
5.03 The Winoka Warriors (92)
5.04 The Man Inside (93)
5.05 There's No Place Like Home: Part I (94)
5.06 There's No Place Like Home: Part II (95 - 1½ hours)
5.07 Fagin (96)
5.08 Harriet's Happenings (97)
5.09 The Wedding (98)
5.10 Men Will Be Boys (99)
5.11 The Cheaters (100)
5.12 Blind Journey: Part I (101)
5.13 Blind Journey: Part II (102)
5.14 The Godsister (103 - 1½ hours)
5.15 The Craftsman (104)
5.16 Blind Man's Bluff (105)
5.17 Dance With Me (106 - 1½ hours)
5.18 The Sound Of Children (107)
5.19 The Lake Kezia Monster (108)
5.20 Barn Burner (109)
5.21 The Enchanted Cottage (110)
5.22 Someone Please Love Me (111)
5.23 Mortal Mission (112)
5.24 The Odyssey (113)
