Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[jason88cubs]

36 minutes ago, debraran said:

Not often, this article explains it simply and I'm sure it varied. The not ever brushing teeth though must have caused some issues for sure. In real life Charles would hang his dirty clothes up for the next day of dirty work which makes sense but "hold nose" I'm sure Charles being Charles hung his outside. ; )

People in today’s society often bathe once a day. However, in colonial America, people did not have indoor plumbing and running water, which are standard in the typical American household of today. To bathe, colonists had to pump water from a well into a large vessel and then heat it over the fire. After heating the water, it had to be transferred to a portable bathtub, often made of wood. Colonists stored their bathtubs elsewhere and brought them into the house at bath time to bathe by the hearth. Often, the entire family would take turns bathing in the same tub of water. The people made their own soap, or they used no soap at all.

Historians surmise that many colonists bathed only a few times in a year, although they probably washed their hands and faces more often. Bathing during the winter was very rare due to the extremely cold temperatures. A colonist’s social status did not seem to have a bearing on the frequency of bathing, as wealthy and poor people probably bathed about the same number of times in a year. Wealthy people had larger wardrobes, though, so they may have seemed cleaner and smelled more pleasant. Working-class people rarely changed their clothes, and most lower-income people usually had one outfit for workdays and one outfit for Sunday.

 

wow. I cant even imagine. If i go 2 days I feel gross

Edited January 5, 2021 by jason88cubs

[debraran]

22 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

wow. I cant even imagine. If i go 2 days I feel gross

I don't understand why people romanticize the time. Harsh weather, harsh soaps and no hot water unless you made it,  no medicines to speak of, penicillin etc , no toothpaste or deodorant (perfumes didn't work) . As a woman I would miss my hygienic ways of cleaning myself and not being able to wash vomit or other smelly excrement from your kids and yourself, not pleasant.  I was surprised to learn composting came much later, seems like it would have helped a lot if they figured out sawdust and a bucket could bring toilet indoors and compost for later with less smell. I read urine was left on diapers with thoughts it would help the skin but later they learned not so. I think they just tired of washing them!

I like the community LHOP shows, but would never give up modern medicine, clean water (for most) and more hygienic and kinder ways of treating our bodies 

 

Another excerpt on diapers with LHOP reference:

 

Although it offends modern sensibilities (and noses), urine was thought to be useful as both a disinfectant and stain remover (thanks to the ammonia). Our ancestors felt no sense of urgency about laundering a wet diaper. The smell of dirty diapers drying by the fireplace wasn’t too pleasant in the winter, but I’m sure the family just accepted it as a necessary reality. And I’m pretty sure it prompted mothers to encourage early potty-training! Young children, no matter their gender, wore gowns that opened at the bottom for frequent, easy changes.

Soiled diapers would be scraped, rinsed and set aside for washing.

Getting any type of laundry clean in the old days was a chore. After heating large amounts of water (on a stove or open fire) that had to be lugged from a well or spring in big buckets, clothes were sorted into piles. Then the long process of scrubbing and rinsing commenced, and lye soap was not kind to your hands.

Although upper-class women would have had the benefit of housemaids to relieve them of the task of diaper laundry, the process was still virtually the same no matter who was doing it. But it was not uncommon for even a mother of poor or modest means to hire a local girl or woman to help out when a new baby arrived. Famed author Laura Ingalls Wilder did this when Rose was born on the Dakota prairie.

An understanding husband could help with the washing, too, in

Edited January 5, 2021 by debraran

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

Serious question, how did someone like miss Beadle bathe?

She most likely had a tin bath basin and heated the water over a fire.   Maybe in the warmer months she took a "swim" bath down at the swimming hole.   Other than that she most surely slapped on plenty of Lemon Verbena.

[jason88cubs]

22 minutes ago, debraran said:

I don't understand why people romanticize the time. Harsh weather, harsh soaps and no hot water unless you made it,  no medicines to speak of, penicillin etc , no toothpaste or deodorant (perfumes didn't work) . As a woman I would miss my hygienic ways of cleaning myself and not being able to wash vomit or other smelly excrement from your kids and yourself, not pleasant.  I was surprised to learn composting came much later, seems like it would have helped a lot if they figured out sawdust and a bucket could bring toilet indoors and compost for later with less smell. I read urine was left on diapers with thoughts it would help the skin but later they learned not so. I think they just tired of washing them!

I like the community LHOP shows, but would never give up modern medicine, clean water (for most) and more hygienic and kinder ways of treating our bodies 

 

Another excerpt on diapers with LHOP reference:

 

Although it offends modern sensibilities (and noses), urine was thought to be useful as both a disinfectant and stain remover (thanks to the ammonia). Our ancestors felt no sense of urgency about laundering a wet diaper. The smell of dirty diapers drying by the fireplace wasn’t too pleasant in the winter, but I’m sure the family just accepted it as a necessary reality. And I’m pretty sure it prompted mothers to encourage early potty-training! Young children, no matter their gender, wore gowns that opened at the bottom for frequent, easy changes.

Soiled diapers would be scraped, rinsed and set aside for washing.

Getting any type of laundry clean in the old days was a chore. After heating large amounts of water (on a stove or open fire) that had to be lugged from a well or spring in big buckets, clothes were sorted into piles. Then the long process of scrubbing and rinsing commenced, and lye soap was not kind to your hands.

Although upper-class women would have had the benefit of housemaids to relieve them of the task of diaper laundry, the process was still virtually the same no matter who was doing it. But it was not uncommon for even a mother of poor or modest means to hire a local girl or woman to help out when a new baby arrived. Famed author Laura Ingalls Wilder did this when Rose was born on the Dakota prairie.

An understanding husband could help with the washing, too, in

where did you find this article?

[debraran]

This was one.  http://www.zephyrhillblog.com/2012/08/how-grandma-did-diapers/#

[jason88cubs]

Crazy in how such a short span, they added baby Grace, Mary got blind, became a part time character, they moved to Winoka, added ALbert

 

ALmost like a reboot

[Zella]

I didn't know what they used to do with diapers back in those days! Interesting. (But disgusting!) 

2 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

Serious question, how did someone like miss Beadle bathe? Just curious. Because I dont recall seeing a barn at her area where she could be in privacy, or would they have a small little building they would go to?

 

I cant imagine tryint o sit there and take a bath outside in 15 degree weather. Good gosh

1 hour ago, BigBingerBro said:

She most likely had a tin bath basin and heated the water over a fire.   Maybe in the warmer months she took a "swim" bath down at the swimming hole.   Other than that she most surely slapped on plenty of Lemon Verbena.

Yeah I think it was pretty common to set the tub up in the kitchen near where the water could be heated. That's what my older relatives did before they had running water. If she had shared quarters--I can't remember what her place looks like--then she'd probably just set the tub up in her room and then the hot water would have to be carried there. I don't think anyone would have been bathing outdoors in Minnesota in 15 degree weather in the 1800s, though I don't know that she'd be having a weekly bath indoors either. I'd think the barn would be way too cold for the tub too. 

When I think of the 1800s and bathing, I always think of Will Penny's defense of his bathing regimen. 

"Mr. Penny, how often do you bathe?"

"8 or 9 times."

"8 or 9 times a month?"

"8 or 9 times a month? A year! . . . That's as much as anybody!" 

His schedule included 1 or 2 in winter, if you didn't catch your death of cold. 

 

[VCRTracking]

33 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

Crazy in how such a short span, they added baby Grace, Mary got blind, became a part time character, they moved to Winoka, added ALbert

 

ALmost like a reboot

Its crazy when old shows changed their location. Laverne & Shirley moving from Milwaukee to Hollywood, I Love Lucy moving from New York City to Connecticut, Gimme a Break moving from California to NYC. LHOTP is even crazier for doing it for only one season and then moving back!

[jason88cubs]

24 minutes ago, VCRTracking said:

Its crazy when old shows changed their location. Laverne & Shirley moving from Milwaukee to Hollywood, I Love Lucy moving from New York City to Connecticut, Gimme a Break moving from California to NYC. LHOTP is even crazier for doing it for only one season and then moving back!

not even a season! like 6 episodes!

[Snow Apple]

At least LHOTP was smart enough to know it wasn't working and had the Ingalls quickly moved back to Walnut Grove and all their friends followed. 

New locations and shaking up the cast is a gamble. I'm quite fond of I Love Lucy in Connecticut, but hated Gimme A Break in NY and without the girls. Unwatchable.

Edited January 6, 2021 by Snow Apple

[Mr. Sparkle]

So in my quest to watch the most maligned episodes, starting with the orangutan one and then "The Godsister," tonight I shall watch "Halloween Dream." I wonder if it's as offensive as the premise indicates. 

I'm still not watching anything with Nancy or Shannon Doherty. 

Edited January 6, 2021 by Superclam

[Katy M]

34 minutes ago, Superclam said:

So in my quest to watch the most maligned episodes, starting with the orangutan one and then "The Godsister," tonight I shall watch "Halloween Dream." I wonder if it's as offensive as the premise indicates. 

I'm still not watching anything with Nancy or Shannon Doherty. 

Does that mean there are 2 orangutan episodes?

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, Superclam said:

I'm still not watching anything with Nancy or Shannon Doherty. 

I can handle Shannon, but Nancy is just unwatchable.  I think they made a mistake creating an even more sinister replacement for Nellie.  It would have been way funnier if they had Nancy look similar to Nellie, but they should have given her an opposite personality, like suger sweet and gentle.  Mixing that with Harriet would have been hilarious.

[Mr. Sparkle]

50 minutes ago, BigBingerBro said:

I can handle Shannon, but Nancy is just unwatchable. 

Given the choice, I will definitely pick Shannon! 

[jason88cubs]

Few thoughts about "Survival"

 

I love at the end when the Marshall said "Hey Ingalls, next time when I tell you there's a blizzard coming maybe you will believe me!"

 

and so intense when Charles was gonna have to kill the horse for food...that's so intense. I couldnt imagine being in that spot

[debraran]

I wondered how they'd get home if he did that too but it was for effect. Those times were harsh and they never seemed to have warm clothes. The girls had coats but they seemed thin, no winter like hats for the women, a scarf but you'd think furs would be used more. Sometimes Caroline just had a crocheted shawl while battling wind outdoors. Maybe in "real" pioneer life, they did.

[jason88cubs]

2 hours ago, debraran said:

I wondered how they'd get home if he did that too but it was for effect. Those times were harsh and they never seemed to have warm clothes. The girls had coats but they seemed thin, no winter like hats for the women, a scarf but you'd think furs would be used more. Sometimes Caroline just had a crocheted shawl while battling wind outdoors. Maybe in "real" pioneer life, they did.

did they have 2 horses on that trip? could 1 get them back?

 

Yes I notice dthat too. caroline looked to not be wearing that much heavy clothing

 

I feel like back then you would OVERPACK.

 

I recall it was a 6 day trip total, of what it was suppose to be, and it seems they only packed food for 7 days. I get it's a show but I'm sure they would have taken more

[jason88cubs]

In "Times Are Changing" I noticed Laura said it would be years before Charles was able to visit Walnut Grove again, but there is later on that season with ALbert! lol

 

Also I did hear Nels say the store opened at 8am whenever the doctor was trying to get in

[alexa]

9 hours ago, BigBingerBro said:

I can handle Shannon, but Nancy is just unwatchable.  I think they made a mistake creating an even more sinister replacement for Nellie.  It would have been way funnier if they had Nancy look similar to Nellie, but they should have given her an opposite personality, like suger sweet and gentle.  Mixing that with Harriet would have been hilarious.

I agree.  Nellie was so much more likable.  Nancy was too much, and I would have liked her better if she was toned down.  The episodes where she was somewhat nicer were much better.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Well, it lived up to its hype - "Halloween Dream" was just as awful as suggested. The only redeeming moment? They played "Hava Nagila" at the end. 

Edited January 7, 2021 by Superclam

[jird]

18 hours ago, debraran said:

I wondered how they'd get home if he did that too but it was for effect. Those times were harsh and they never seemed to have warm clothes. The girls had coats but they seemed thin, no winter like hats for the women, a scarf but you'd think furs would be used more. Sometimes Caroline just had a crocheted shawl while battling wind outdoors. Maybe in "real" pioneer life, they did.

Laura wearing only that potholder on her head during many of the winter episodes always bugged me.

[jason88cubs]

1 hour ago, jird said:

Laura wearing only that potholder on her head during many of the winter episodes always bugged me.

The "Blizzard" epsiode at the start Charles and mr Edwards werent even wearing jackets. Like it was in the 70s or something, which I highly doubt. Probably in the 40s I'm sure

Edited January 7, 2021 by jason88cubs

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, jird said:

Laura wearing only that potholde

It certainly was!

[debraran]

1 hour ago, jird said:

Laura wearing only that potholder on her head during many of the winter episodes always bugged me.

Thanks for the laugh, I always thought "doily" : )

[ctlady]

One of my top 5 fave episodes are Back To School Pt 1 & 2.  While watching Pt 1 the other day, I realized something when Mrs. Oleson took an interest in Almanzo as a suitor for Nellie.  Considering Almanzo is pretty much a farmer, wouldn't that choice of a potential husband for Nellie be below 'the standard of living in which she's been accustomed to'?  Remember how mortified Harriet was when Nellie fell for the young pig farmer?

[debraran]

22 minutes ago, ctlady said:

One of my top 5 fave episodes are Back To School Pt 1 & 2.  While watching Pt 1 the other day, I realized something when Mrs. Oleson took an interest in Almanzo as a suitor for Nellie.  Considering Almanzo is pretty much a farmer, wouldn't that choice of a potential husband for Nellie be below 'the standard of living in which she's been accustomed to'?  Remember how mortified Harriet was when Nellie fell for the young pig farmer?

That's true and Almonzo wasn't dumb but definitely rougher around the edges than Nel's or Percival or even Charles in some ways. Always had him a little dense at times. Maybe she felt Nellie would be the boss like she was and he had other income.

I know girls went to women's colleges then and I feel Nellie should have if Percival didn't come. She was smart and then she would have met some men who were more cultured like her mom wanted or a store owner or restaurant or whatever. She could never be doing the work Caroline did. I don't know if Harriet did but they never showed it often. Laundry, yes once or twice but gardening or churning or even having cows etc was never shown. I assumed she bought a lot of it from others.

[BigBingerBro]

3 minutes ago, debraran said:

I don't know if Harriet did but they never showed it often. Laundry, yes once or twice but gardening or churning or even having cows etc was never shown. I assumed she bought a lot of it from others.

I am also suprised the Oleson's didn't have a live in maid or handman.  I guess Kezia filled that role for a short time.  I can't comrehend how they managed to run the store and a household ith 2 lazy children and no help.

[debraran]

10 minutes ago, BigBingerBro said:

I am also suprised the Oleson's didn't have a live in maid or handman.  I guess Kezia filled that role for a short time.  I can't comrehend how they managed to run the store and a household ith 2 lazy children and no help.

lol...and they always had a nice dinner, roast and veggies and potatoes and bread. Nice dishes got washed and put away. And Willie could eat! I still wonder how they bought all that stuff before it was paid for by customers and all the freebies that were given away or donated and the people who ran off without paying etc. Not like a city store where I'm sure they were stricter.

Edited January 7, 2021 by debraran

[jason88cubs]

1 hour ago, debraran said:

lol...and they always had a nice dinner, roast and veggies and potatoes and bread. Nice dishes got washed and put away. And Willie could eat! I still wonder how they bought all that stuff before it was paid for by customers and all the freebies that were given away or donated and the people who ran off without paying etc. Not like a city store where I'm sure they were stricter.

makes me wonder how someone like miss Beadle got her meat. Did she exchange for desserts or possible sewing or something?

[Zella]

2 hours ago, ctlady said:

One of my top 5 fave episodes are Back To School Pt 1 & 2.  While watching Pt 1 the other day, I realized something when Mrs. Oleson took an interest in Almanzo as a suitor for Nellie.  Considering Almanzo is pretty much a farmer, wouldn't that choice of a potential husband for Nellie be below 'the standard of living in which she's been accustomed to'?  Remember how mortified Harriet was when Nellie fell for the young pig farmer?

Maybe the pig farmer gave her a new standard of suitor measurement? LOL

Personally, I had a hard time seeing Nellie herself being interested in a pig farmer, though otherwise I found that episode entertaining as hell. 

Edited January 7, 2021 by Zella

[Snow Apple]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

makes me wonder how someone like miss Beadle got her meat. Did she exchange for desserts or possible sewing or something?

In the book Farmer Boy, the families of the students take turns boarding the teacher so that takes care of his meals. But that's not the case with Miss Beadle. I guess we're to assume non-farmers can buy fresh food and bread somewhere. At least there are wild berry bushes for free fruit. They also fish for free.

[Zella]

18 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

In the book Farmer Boy, the families of the students take turns boarding the teacher so that takes care of his meals. But that's not the case with Miss Beadle. I guess we're to assume non-farmers can buy fresh food and bread somewhere. At least there are wild berry bushes for free fruit. They also fish for free.

My understanding is school teachers at the time in rural areas almost inevitably boarded with a family. A boardinghouse would have also probably worked as an alternative if there was one in the town. I think it was partially a matter of practicality in that they wouldn't have time for the labor-intensive housekeeping/cooking of the era with the demands of their job, and it was also a matter of propriety (didn't want to have people gossiping about the morals of the local teacher, especially if she were a woman, so her boarding with a respectable local family or in a respectable local boardinghouse would protect her reputation.) 

Edited to add: In either case, her meals would be covered. 

Edited January 7, 2021 by Zella

[CountryGirl]

4 hours ago, ctlady said:

One of my top 5 fave episodes are Back To School Pt 1 & 2.  While watching Pt 1 the other day, I realized something when Mrs. Oleson took an interest in Almanzo as a suitor for Nellie.  Considering Almanzo is pretty much a farmer, wouldn't that choice of a potential husband for Nellie be below 'the standard of living in which she's been accustomed to'?  Remember how mortified Harriet was when Nellie fell for the young pig farmer?

I think by that point, Harriet despaired of someone taking Nellie, who was nasty, prone to fits of breaking everything within reach, and couldn’t cook to boot, off their hands. So Zaldamo started looking pretty good to her at that point. 

2 hours ago, Zella said:

Maybe the pig farmer gave her a new standard of suitor measurement? LOL

Personally, I had a hard time seeing Nellie herself being interested in a pig farmer, though otherwise I found that episode entertaining as hell. 

He was smitten with her from the start. That her mother hated him on sight was like extra catnip to her. 
 
And remember how Percival had her at “pretty?” 
 

Nellie would have taken up with Tinker Jones, Balloon Man Cass, or Gambini the Crispy if they had looked at her twice  

 

 

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

 

He was smitten with her from the start. That her mother hated him on sight was like extra catnip her. 
 
And remember how Percival had her at “pretty?” 

 

 

I'm not that far yet actually! (And have never watched it before.) Mary will probably go blind tonight if I get to watch the next 2 episodes. Otherwise, she'll go blind tomorrow. What season does Percival pop up? 

[CountryGirl]

Percival first shows up in Season 6 in episode 26 (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not). 

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

Percival first shows up in Season 6 in episode 26 (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not). 

Ah okay I've got a ways to go. I'm both intrigued by and dreading the episodes where they all move away from Walnut Grove because it sounds so bonkers. 

[debraran]

I watched the morphine show last night on TV (Cozi had it). The best part to me after seeing it too often, was the store owner who played Charles friend in another show who dies of a heart attack (the one where he makes furniture) I liked him and hoped they stayed friends.

They didn't show the student Albert hits in a rage but he was punching him a lot, really hard and he socked the teacher, Miss Plum pretty hard also. No mark on her face was made at all. She's telling Charles and I'm like, is it my TV or not even a red mark? Was that kid ok? 😮

The vomit etc isn't effective the way it was when I much younger and Charles either really worked on his chest or put on some weight because it seemed puffed out the whole show. He tells Laura it's going to get bad, he knows the worse isn't over but when she says "what will happen" he says he doesn't know. He also was probably remembering the drunk he helped with the cute son Graham.

It also annoyed me because Albert didn't become a doctor, he died of leukemia, because no one could have any happiness, even a fictitious character. 

So I'll always love the younger years, but am having trouble with later ones. Nice thing now is that you can skip and watch what you want on Amazon Prime.

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by debraran

[debraran]

mistake

Edited January 9, 2021 by debraran
mistake

[Cara]

On 6/13/2020 at 6:35 PM, Katy M said:

If they had kids they would move in with them.  If not, maybe a sibling.  If they were young widows, they would do their best to remarry.  So would widowers in order to have a mother for their children.

This situation happened among my own ancestors. From what I’ve read it wasn’t uncommon. When a  woman died with young children and she had a single sister the husband many times  married the sister for practical reasons . She was needed care for her late sister’s children and it wasn’t considered proper for a single man and women to share a home even under those  circumstances. So they would get married.

Edited January 9, 2021 by Cara

[bunnyblue]

On 1/9/2021 at 4:35 AM, debraran said:

It also annoyed me because Albert didn't become a doctor, he died of leukemia, because no one could have any happiness, even a fictitious character. 

So I'll always love the younger years, but am having trouble with later ones. Nice thing now is that you can skip and watch what you want on Amazon Prime.

Since the show couldn't be bothered with continuity, I made up my mind long ago that Albert did live and become a doctor. I don't know what the hell ML was on when he came up with the series finale, but blowing up Walnut Grove and Albert dying - even after Laura said that he returned to WG to become its doctor - makes zero sense and flies in the face of what was established in previous seasons. 

I love that Little House is on Amazon Prime because I don't have to search for it on cable and can skip the episodes I don't like. I never watch past season 6, though, because I remember just how bad it got in the later seasons. It was already struggling by the 5th season but once Laura got married and Charles adopted Jason Bateman and his sister the show just wasn't the same. And even as a kid, I knew to avoid the Jenny & Nancy seasons like the plague, and definitely won't subject myself to them as an adult.

[debraran]

6 hours ago, bunnyblue said:

Since the show couldn't be bothered with continuity, I made up my mind long ago that Albert did live and become a doctor. I don't know what the hell ML was on when he came up with the series finale, but blowing up Walnut Grove and Albert dying - even after Laura said that he returned to WG to become its doctor - makes zero sense and flies in the face of what was established in previous seasons. 

I love that Little House is on Amazon Prime because I don't have to search for it on cable and can skip the episodes I don't like. I never watch past season 6, though, because I remember just how bad it got in the later seasons. It was already struggling by the 5th season but once Laura got married and Charles adopted Jason Bateman and his sister the show just wasn't the same. And even as a kid, I knew to avoid the Jenny & Nancy seasons like the plague, and definitely won't subject myself to them as an adult.

Yes, another thing I like about Amazon Prime, is that the shows are longer, no commercials and the trivia you can see on the side, it will show you tidbits about each show and also the names of each person in the scene and some goofs some of us haven't caught yet. ; )

I kind of end things myself too. I hate when a show just doesn't seem to care anymore. I respectfully rewrite it many times. Cassandra and James killed it for me years ago, I was like "You can take them in and Albert but the Sanderson's had to go to others?  That intertwined with Nancy was the nail in the coffin and it's sad but as you said, you can switch around  endings on your own. You can make up where they went in your head and what they became and not kill off any loose ends.

[Snow Apple]

In the later seasons, I liked them dunking Nancy. I liked the return of Nellie until it turned the focus on Nancy. Oh, and the episode with Willie getting married was sweet. 

But yeah, there were many boring and silly episodes. I don't care about the Carters. If they must have a new family, why not move in Royal and his family? Why did they kill off the parents and what happened to the boys?

[CountryGirl]

I'm already a passenger on the Stagecoach to Hell but the conversation of morPHINE Albert smacking the snot out of Jeb Carter reminded me that I snickered during that scene as I couldn't stand him or his stupid little brother.

[debraran]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

I'm already a passenger on the Stagecoach to Hell but the conversation of morPHINE Albert smacking the snot out of Jeb Carter reminded me that I snickered during that scene as I couldn't stand him or his stupid little brother.

He really socked him but they never showed Jeb on the ground. As I said above, Miss Plum didn't have a mark either (makeup/cindy off that day) I didn't like seeing the Carter's in Ingall's house, seemed so crowded although she did more with it than Caroline did. The only show I liked with them was with the widow (so many widows) and the little brother was her friend. His mom was very jealous and should have understood having relationships with older men and women is just done on this show. : ) Mr Carter was cute but the dumb shows with Almonzo didn't give him a lot of room to grow. The newspaper and other things were just rehashed again.

I liked Willie's wedding and it gave Jonathan a nice send off but the "I can't keep my hands off of you " I thought was a bit overdone. But then again they were married and I was glad the rape/fires were behind us. He didn't want to stay but a spinoff with Nellie and Willie and their spouses might have been funny  with drop-ins from other Ingall's. At least a year or so I could have seen it last depending on the writers. Nels always liked Jon and spoke highly of him and it's too bad his family life was so awful.

Edited January 11, 2021 by debraran

[Mr. Sparkle]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

I'm already a passenger on the Stagecoach to Hell

You know that stagecoach is a PARTY!!!

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, debraran said:

a spinoff with Nellie and Willie and their spouses might have been funny  with drop-ins from other Ingall's. 

I'm not this far--in the bizarro world that is Winoka--but I find the Olesons so much more entertaining than the Ingalls. I'd watch the hell out of a series that just starred Harriet, Nellie, and Willie with the periodic visit by the Ingalls. 

[debraran]

7 minutes ago, Zella said:

I'm not this far--in the bizarro world that is Winoka--but I find the Olesons so much more entertaining than the Ingalls. I'd watch the hell out of a series that just starred Harriet, Nellie, and Willie with the periodic visit by the Ingalls. 

That's what I meant, they were gems. Funny, great actors, with better scripts, it would have been so much better than the movies made with Laura. Not Winoka, maybe the NYC or a city that Charles didn't demonize everyone there. ; )

[jird]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

I'm already a passenger on the Stagecoach to Hell but the conversation of morPHINE Albert smacking the snot out of Jeb Carter reminded me that I snickered during that scene as I couldn't stand him or his stupid little brother.

I will take a hundred Jeb Carters over James. Apologies to tiny Jason Bateman, but I wanted to smack that kid every damn time he was on my screen.

[CountryGirl]

1 hour ago, jird said:

I will take a hundred Jeb Carters over James. Apologies to tiny Jason Bateman, but I wanted to smack that kid every damn time he was on my screen.

You mean, you didn't melt with James' "Gee, Mr. Ingalls? Geeee."? 

And I couldn't stand bug-eyed Cassandra and her "Mistah Ingahs Mistah Ingahs!" either. WTAF when Carrie was right there. And if the Greenbush twins weren't up to the challenge really expanding Carrie needed (newsflash - they weren't), they could have recast. It always grated that Carrie, who was much closer to Laura in age than show would have you believe (3 years in fact) was practically a piece of furniture in the show. See also, perennially stuck in her highchair even when she was four years old Grace.

[Mr. Sparkle]

15 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

It always grated that Carrie, who was much closer to Laura in age than show would have you believe (3 years in fact) was practically a piece of furniture in the show.

I'm reading the books for the first time, and I'm up to "The Long Winter." It's very interesting that it's now Laura and Carrie as a team, rather than Laura and Mary. It's also interesting that Carrie is written like a real person, as opposed to the 10 year old toddler we see on the show.