Episodios

  • Annabelle

    Annabelle
    Apr 29 2025

    Shannon Quinton returns to the podcast to discuss this episode that gives us a hint at Nels’ backstory as well as viewing the future of the Laura and Almanzo’s love story.

    Annabelle (Little House on the Prairie, Season 6, Episode 5)

    • Writer: Del Reisman
    • Director: William F. Claxton
    • Air Date: October 15, 1979
    • Network: NBC

    Guest Stars: Harriet Gibson (Annabelle), Ken Berry (London), Billy Barty (Owen)

    In “Annabelle,” a traveling circus rolls into Walnut Grove, bringing joy and buried family secrets. Nels Oleson is horrified to discover his estranged sister, Annabelle, is the circus’s “fat lady,” a role he’s ashamed of due to her size. His shame, rooted in childhood, strains their reunion, while Annabelle embraces her role with pride, finding purpose in making people laugh. Meanwhile, Laura grapples with jealousy as Almanzo dates the haughty Christie Norton. London, the circus leader and secret sad clown, recruits Laura and Albert as clown helpers, leading to hilarious antics, including dousing Nels with water. The episode shines as Nels confronts his insecurities, publicly embracing Annabelle in a heartfelt finale. With themes of self-acceptance and reconciliation, this episode, directed by William F. Claxton and written by Del Reisman, balances humor and heart, proving the prairie’s biggest show is family love.

    Some Quotes chosen by me:

    • “He’s my brother… and he’s still ashamed of me.” (Annabelle)
    • “I make people laugh… that’s not a bad thing to do, Nels.” (Annabelle)
    • “I love someone. His name is Almanzo.” (Laura)
    • “I have a place in this life… I was put here for a purpose.” (Annabelle)
    • “I’m the one who is ashamed.” (Nels)
    • “I’m proud to say… my sister, Annabelle.” (Nels)
    Annabelle originally aired on October 15, 1979 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post Annabelle first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    Menos de 1 minuto
  • The Richest Man in Walnut Grove

    The Richest Man in Walnut Grove
    Apr 17 2025

    Kelly Mielke and I decided to discuss this heartwarming and unforgettable episode while also doing a crossover with our other podcast, LandonNation! We break down this amazing episode and I hope you enjoy it!

    “Ingalls and his employer Mr. Hansen are anticipating a large income from a big job they have done. The Ingalls plan to pay their bill at the Mercantile store and more. Unfortunately, when Mr. Hansen learns that his client cannot pay, that means he cannot pay Mr. Ingalls and has to close his mill. With the bonus income lost, and the lack of regular income, the family has to think how they will pay their debts and keep up their other duties. Mr. Ingalls works for the livery owner, grooming and caring for the horses he owns. Once done there, he works for a local farmer to fix an irrigation system on his property. But, the women of the family want to help, too. Caroline and Laura plant a double crop of vegetables for the winter and plan to sell the eggs as they have been collecting. Mary plans to leave school temporarily to work for Mrs. Whipple, the seamstress, sewing assorted clothing items for ladies of the community. Laura continues in school, bringing home lessons to Mary so she doesn’t get behind on her schoolwork. When she herself gets behind on turning in her homework, she tells Miss Beadle she ran out of tablet paper and doesn’t want to ask her father to buy it. Miss Beadle offers a solution to the problem and all is much better.” The Richest Man in Walnut Grove originally aired on September 10, 1975 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post The Richest Man in Walnut Grove first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 29 m
  • Gold Country

    Gold Country
    Apr 2 2025

    Emily Freitas joins the podcast while she’s about to give birth! We break down this amazing episode and I hope you enjoy it!

    • Writer: B.W. Sandefur
    • Director: Michael Landon
    In “Gold Country,” a two-part episode of Little House on the Prairie, relentless rain devastates the crops in Walnut Grove, prompting Charles Ingalls and Isaiah Edwards to seek fortune in a gold rush 400 miles away in Deadwood. Facing economic hardship, they convince their families to join the perilous journey. Upon arrival, they encounter inflated prices, scarce claims, and a rough town, eventually moving to Newton, 50 miles west. Initial optimism fades as they struggle to find gold, and tensions rise with dangerous prospectors. Tragedy strikes when Mr. Delano is killed over his gold, and Mr. Griffin desecrates a grave for riches, shaking the community. Disillusioned, Charles reflects in a heartfelt church speech, choosing family over wealth. The Ingalls and Edwards families abandon the gold chase, returning home with renewed values, passing hopeful newcomers on their way. 5 Best Quotes
    1. Charles: “There’s nothing in the world that makes a man feel so bad as knowing there’s just nothing he can do.”
      • This captures Charles’ frustration and helplessness amid the rain-ruined crops, driving his decision to seek gold.
    2. Caroline: “Charles Ingalls, if you think I’m going to put up with having you underfoot around here for the next 6 months, you’ve got another thing coming.”
      • A tender yet firm nudge from Caroline, showing her support for Charles’ risky venture with love and humor.
    3. Isaiah: “I did this so we could get some flour or some bacon.”
      • Isaiah’s justification after gambling reflects his desperate intent to provide, despite Grace’s skepticism.
    4. Charles: “I asked God to give me the strength to forget about it, to turn my back on it… and to let me take my family home.”
      • In his church speech, Charles reveals his epiphany, prioritizing family over the fleeting promise of gold.
    5. Laura: “Ask him to please forgive me.”
      • Laura’s plea to Charles about Mr. Zachariah underscores her guilt and innocence after unintentionally causing harm.
    5 Trivia Questions
    1. Question: What natural disaster forces Charles and Isaiah to consider leaving Walnut Grove?
      • Answer: Relentless rain that destroys the crops.
    2. Question: How far is the gold rush location from Walnut Grove, as mentioned by Charles?
      • Answer: 400 miles.
    3. Question: What item does Charles request at Nels’ store that they are out of?
      • Answer: Baking soda.
    4. Question: What tragic event involving Mr. Delano shifts the tone of the episode?
      • Answer: He is killed by prospectors seeking his gold.
    5. Question: What does Charles ultimately decide to do after his church speech?
      • Answer: Take his family back home to Walnut Grove.
    Gold Country originally aired on April 4, 1977 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post Gold Country first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    2 h y 25 m
  • Ara the AI Joins the Podcast as my new Cohost! We discuss The Handyman

    Ara the AI Joins the Podcast as my new Cohost! We discuss The Handyman
    Apr 1 2025

    Ara the AI assistant comes on board to discuss The Handyman in this experimental and short episode! Ara is provided by Grok.com and X.com

    Please listen until the very end!

    “Meddling Mrs Oleson starts tongues wagging when a handsome itinerant handyman stays in the Ingalls’ barn while helping Caroline with a kitchen addition.” The Handyman originally aired on October 3, 1977 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post Ara the AI Joins the Podcast as my new Cohost! We discuss The Handyman first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    15 m
  • Here Come the Brides

    Here Come the Brides
    Mar 18 2025

    Cori Rice joins me to discuss this sometimes romantic and sometimes hilarious episode of Little House!

    “Adam and Luke Simms arrive in Walnut Grove, where Luke quickly falls for Nellie Oleson despite his unconventional appearance—barefoot and in overalls over long underwear—which horrifies Nellie’s mother, Harriet, who forbids their relationship. Meanwhile, Luke enlists Mary’s help to pick out a ring for Nellie’s birthday, but a misunderstanding leads Nellie to believe he’s toying with her feelings, prompting her to complain to Miss Beadle, who then confronts Adam Simms and unexpectedly begins to fall for him. As tensions rise, Luke and Nellie decide to elope, marrying and heading to a hotel, only to be tracked down by Harriet, Nels, Adam, and Miss Beadle, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation. Alongside this, a budding romance blossoms between Miss Beadle and Adam, adding a tender counterpoint to the youthful impulsiveness of Luke and Nellie’s union.” Here Come the Brides originally aired on December 5, 1977 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post Here Come the Brides first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 37 m
  • He Was only Twelve

    He Was only Twelve
    Mar 4 2025

    Christina returns to the show to tackle this controversial and “skipworthy” for many episodes. Personally, I liked it and I hope you enjoy this discussion!

    “In the intertwined stories set in Sleepy Eye, James and Albert stumble into a bank robbery orchestrated by a ruthless gang. During the heist, James is critically wounded, leaving him in a coma. Initially, the doctor informs Charles, James’ father, that his son is unlikely to survive, prompting a grief-stricken Charles to team up with Mr. Edwards—and later Albert, who defies orders to stay behind—to hunt down the culprits. As weeks pass with James still comatose, Charles refuses to accept his son’s fate, growing increasingly abusive toward his family and friends under the strain. Overwhelmed by their pleas to let James go peacefully, Charles flees with his adopted son, Albert, into the woods. There, in a desperate act of faith, he constructs an altar and beseeches God for a miracle to save James.“ He Was only Twelve Parts 1 & 2 originally aired on May 3 & 10, 1982 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post He Was only Twelve first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    2 h y 2 m
  • The Wolves

    The Wolves
    Feb 19 2025

    Filmmaker Amy C Elliott returns to the podcast to discuss one of the more frightening episodes of LHOTP. We dive into a ton of things and I hope you enjoy it!

    “Laura and Andy find a Mama in a trap and two pups nearby. They take the “dogs” home, only to find out they are wolves. At the same time, some dogs that used to be pets but were released to the wild have gotten really wild and have been attacking some livestock in town. Charles and Caroline have gone out of town and Mary is left in charge of Laura and Carrie. She is under stress so she is a little too bossy and Laura runs to her tree house as often as possible or hangs out with Andy. They overhear that Jud Larabee (whose livestock was attacked) knows about their wolves and thinking they are responsible is going to come and kill the wolves. So, Laura and Andy move the wolves to Laura’s barn. While out there, Carrie and Mary hear the dogs coming and they all go to the barn and end up trapped in the loft because the dogs burrow under the door and get in. The local farmers come to the rescue and kill the dogs and find out that the mama wolf actually saved Andy’s life!” The Wolves originally aired on October 17, 1977

    Amy’s work is amazing and I really hope each of you check it out on her website

    https://www.ace-photography.com

    The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post The Wolves first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 21 m
  • Troublemaker

    Troublemaker
    Feb 11 2025

    Maryann returns to the podcast to discuss this amazing episode! We dive into a ton of things and I hope you enjoy it!

    “When teacher, Miss Beadle, is deemed unable to control some of the rowdy, older boys in her class, Mrs. Oleson convinces the Walnut Grove school board to replace her with a firmer, male hand. But the new schoolmaster tries to bully his students into submission and singles little Laura out as a troublemaker, blaming and punishing her for the slightest infraction even when she isn’t the one responsible.” Troublemaker originally aired on February 25, 1976 The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

    Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

    Become a Patron!

    The post Troublemaker first appeared on The Little House on the Prairie Podcast: Walnut GroveCast.
    Más Menos
    1 h y 29 m
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup