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The ninth season of Little House on the Prairie was
re-invented as Little House: A New Beginning after
star Michael Landon decided to leave the series. (He
continued to produce, direct and write for the show.) The
first episode began with the departure of Landon's Pa
Ingalls, who fell on hard economic times and moved his
family to the city . He returned for just one harrowing two-parter,
"Home Again," in which son Albert (Matthew Laborteaux)
battled a morphine addiction. In Landon's absence, it was up
to the other denizens of Walnut Grove to provide drama, and
provide they did. The meddling, gossipy Harriet Oleson
(Katherine MacGregor) played town villain, followed by her
whiny adopted daughter Nancy (Allison Balson), who was
annoying but never as deliciously wicked as her predecessor
Nellie (Alison Arngrim, who makes a welcome guest
appearance). Laura (Melissa Gilbert) is all grown up and
living with husband Almanzo (Dean Butler) and their daughter
Rose. The show also cast a pre-scandal Shannen Doherty as
Jenny Wilder to fill the spunky young protagonist role
vacated by Gilbert.
Little House continued its run of darker stories
in this season, from a crazed father (Robert Loggia) who
shoots his daughter and wife to a suicide attempt by Jenny
after her father dies, filling in other episodes with fluffy
schmaltz featuring some of the other townsfolk (you know
they're desperate when an entire show is about a wayward
orangutan). The series also liked to feature outcasts
teaching the town lessons in tolerance: in one case a circus
midget can't get a job because of his looks, and a "wild
boy" turns out just to be an abused mute. Despite its
attempts to fill the void left by Pa and Ma Ingalls with new
characters, however, the long-running series lost its spark
without Landon and did not last after the ninth season.
The boxed set includes an 86-page booklet: Little
House on the Prairie A-Z by historian Patrick Loubatiere,
who also interviews Dean Butler and Alison Arngrim in the
DVD bonus features. The interviews don't reveal much, other
than Loubatiere's smugness for knowing more about Little
House than the stars of the show. --Ellen A. Kim
Product Description
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE: SEASON 9 TH (DVD MOVIE)
Season 9 – "...A New Beginning" (1982-1983)
22 episodes Note: The series is now titled "Little House: A New Beginning."
#
Airdate
Prod. Code
Title
Overview
182
September 27, 1982
8451
Times Are Changing (Part 1)
To find a better life for his family, the Ingalls
move to Iowa,
selling their homestead to the Carter family, who are moving from New
York City to find a simpler life. Laura announces her resignation from
Walnut Grove School to raise Rose at home, while Almanzo's brother,
Royal, arrives with his daughter, Jenny, and a devastating secret: he is
terminally ill, and that the true reason he came back to Walnut Grove is
to give Jenny a chance to know who would become her adopted parents.
183
October 4, 1982
8452
Times Are Changing (Part 2)
The Carters adjust to life in Walnut Grove, but Jenny
has a hard time doing so after her father dies. Jenny is so distraught
that she attempts
suicide
by drowning herself. Jeb gets over his fear of water by diving in and
saving Jenny. Laura teaches her adopted daughter a "tough love" lesson
on the importance of life, just as her father did before her.
184
October 11, 1982
8454
Welcome To Olesonville
A power-hungry Mrs. Oleson obtains the town's bond
and uses it to force an election: Elect Nels mayor or else. The
townsfolk realize Nels will merely become a
puppet for his wife and fight back with a candidate of their own.
185
October 18, 1982
8456
Rage
A farmer named Mr. Stark is denied a loan at the bank
and soon goes bankrupt. In a rage, he shoots his wife and daughter, then
goes on the run. During the manhunt, Mr. Stark hides at the Wilders'
residence, and then snaps. He begins to think Laura and Jenny are his
wife and daughter. With Almanzo part of the posse, Laura and Jenny must
rely on their own wits to defeat Mr. Stark.
186
October 25, 1982
8453
Little Lou
A widowed circus midget and young father named Little
Lou moves to Walnut Grove to try to make a living. He gets a job at the
bank, but a prejudiced Mrs. Oleson refuses to do business as long as he
is employed there. Jobless, Little Lou begins stealing from the
Mercantile to support his young daughter. Just before he is set to go on
trial for theft, Nancy falls down a well, and Little Lou is the only one
who can reach inside to save her.
Note: An episode of Bonanza
had a story with a similar theme to this episode.
187
November 1, 1982
8457
The Wild Boy (Part 1)
The circus comes to Walnut Grove, and one of the most
popular attractions is a "wild boy." That night, the boy, whose name is
Matthew, runs away from the circus and hides at the Wilders' home.
There, Almanzo and Laura discover Matthew has been beaten by his master
and given morphine. While they try to keep Matthew safe with Mr.
Edwards, his master has posted a reward for the boy's return.
188
November 8, 1982
8458
The Wild Boy (Part 2)
Nancy – her mind focused on the large reward – finds
out where Matthew is hiding and leads his master to Mr. Edwards. This
initiates a custody battle between the cruel circus master and Mr.
Edwards. A judge decides to have Matthew put in a mental hospital, but
then allows Mr. Edwards to keep him in Walnut Grove as long as he keeps
silent.
189
November 15, 1982
8459
The Return Of Nellie
Who would ever think someone would be jealous over
Nellie? That's exactly what happens when she comes home to visit her
family in Walnut Grove. Nellie tries to make friends with her new
sister, but Nancy rebuffs her efforts. Later, the people of Walnut Grove
toast Nellie at a party, but Nancy – feeling left out – runs away. Nels
and Nellie are left to search for Nancy in the woods.
190
November 22, 1982
8460
The Empire Builders
The railroad is coming to Walnut Grove, and with it
the promise of jobs and economic growth. But that joy turns sour when
the townspeople learn the side effects: the railroad needs property
easements, forcing many farmers from their homes; and plenty of ill
repute to boot.
191
November 29, 1982
8462
Love
Laura's childhood friend, who is blind, falls in love
with Mr. Edwards ... and the age difference doesn't seem to matter.
Later, the young woman has surgery to restore her sight, and her
feelings don't change at all when she sees that Mr. Edwards is
gruff-looking. Eventually, he encourages her to pursue her dreams.
192
December 6, 1982
8461
Alden's Dilemma
A traveling minister is planning a surprise party for
Rev. Alden. But this truth doesn't come to light until Alden concludes
his congregation is planning to leave him.
193
January 3, 1983
8463
Marvin's Garden
A retiring doctor's last patient is Jenny, who is
rendered unable to walk or talk after a near drowning.
Note: The main theme
to the episode's original score would later serve as the theme music
to Michael Landon's next series,
Highway To Heaven.
194
January 10, 1983
8464
Sins Of The Fathers
Sarah Carter's imposing father visits Walnut Grove,
demanding they move back to New York.
195
January 17, 1983
8455
The Older Brothers
Mr. Edwards – and later, Almanzo and John – become
mixed up with the criminal activities of a bumbling gang of outlaws.
196
January 24, 1983
8465
Once Upon A Time
Laura wins a story-writing contest and is offered the
opportunity to publish her writings ... in heavily modified form.
197/198
February 7, 1983
8467/033210
Home Again (Part 1 & 2)
Charles and Albert return to Walnut Grove after
Albert has repeated run-ins with the law (for curfew violations and
theft). It is soon discovered Albert is hooked on morphine, leading
Charles to take drastic measures to help his son withdraw from the drug.
Because of Albert's morphine addict, he begins to become out of control,
especially when he attacks Jeb Carter in school and hits Etta Plum
directly in the face when she tries to stop him.
Note: Originally aired as a two-hour episode. In
syndication, it is shown as a two-part episode. Note: Final
series appearance of
Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls and
Matthew Laborteaux as Albert Ingalls until the post-series movies.
199
February 14, 1983
8466
A Child With No Name
Laura's newborn son unexpectedly dies from an
epidemic picked up during a vacation while Laura was pregnant. In haste,
Laura blames Doc Baker for the baby's death and chalks it up to his
incompetence. Doc Baker's reputation is badly damaged and he is almost
forced to leave Walnut Grove. Later, Rose becomes sick with
smallpox and, against Laura's wishes, Almanzo calls on Doc Baker.
Laura and Doc Baker are quarantined, and she soon realizes what she
always knew: That Doc Baker is a good doctor.
200
February 21, 1983
8469
The Last Summer
Jason begins doing odd jobs for an aging woman. Sarah
becomes jealous over the blossoming friendship, until she realizes the
woman thinks of Jason as her surrogate grandson. Jason makes plenty of
happy memories with his friend before her death.
201
March 7, 1983
8470
For The Love Of Blanche
Mr. Edwards promises to care for a dying traveler's
"baby," only to discover it to be an orangutan. The orangutan, named
Blanche, makes quick friends with everyone except Nancy. Nancy tries to
swat the animal, who fights back. Mrs. Oleson wants Blanche killed, but
Willie and Mr. Edwards devise a plan to trick them into thinking Blanche
is dead. Mr. Edwards decides that Blanche needs to live in a zoo. Later,
Blanche saves Rose from a potentially deadly house fire, and when Jenny
tells the story at school, Nancy finds out that Blanche is still alive.
Mrs. Oleson demands that the sheriff make sure Blanche is dead this
time.
202
March 14, 1983
8471
May I Have This Dance?
Willie – fed up once and for all with his mother's
meddling – is resolved to marry his sweetheart, Rachel Brown, and take
over management of Nellie's Restaurant and Hotel. Nels is proud of his
son, but Mrs. Oleson decides to boycott the wedding.
Note: Final
appearance of Alison Arngrim as Nellie.
203
March 21, 1983
8472
Hello and Goodbye
Mr. Edwards is devastated when he learns that
Matthew's natural father wants to reclaim custody of his son. He winds
up moving to Laura's new boarding house, where an Englishman named
Sherwood Montague, and newlyweds Willie and Rachel Oleson, have also
taken up residence.
Note: Little House on the Prairie was cancelled by NBC after nine
seasons and after Michael Landon's departure from the beginning of this
season and due to low ratings. This episode marks the end of the series
nine-year run. Also, post-series TV movies of this show will air in the
following season.
