My Prairie Cookbook (11 page)

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “What is your favorite episode of
Little House on the Prairie
?” It's very hard for me to narrow my answer down to just one episode. We filmed hundreds of hours of the show. So instead of just one, I've narrowed it down to my top ten favorites.

I've put these episodes in no particular order at all. I'll tell you that I watched each of the ten episodes while writing this book to remind me why these are my favorites. Well, I watched all but one. There is one included here that I often refer to as the “Unwatchable One.” It's unwatchable because it makes me so, so sad.

1. The Pilot

I think the pilot episode of
Little House on the Prairie
may well be one of the best made-for-TV movies of all time. It's gripping and fun at the same
time. Its simplicity is very touching. Michael Landon did an extraordinary job as writer, director, executive producer, and star. It's also the only time we shot one complete book from the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. For me, it was (and is) like watching that book come to life right in front of my eyes. I never grow tired of it. I've watched it with all of my children and will gladly share my copy with any of my friends.

Technically, everything about it is spot-on. The costumes, props, set design, hair, and makeup all come together and transport the audience to Kansas in the 1870s. The chemistry among all of the actors is palpable. I guess the best word to describe it is
real
. It's all very real. I defy anyone to watch the pilot movie and not cry at some point.

2. “Country Girls” (season one, episode two)

Whoa, Nellie, and I mean whoa! This episode was a blast. For one thing, there were so many kids around to play with. For another thing, this episode marked the beginning of the epic rivalry between Laura and Nellie. She pushed me. I pushed her. “You wanna fight? I'll fight! You wanna play? We're playing Uncle John!” My youngest son, Michael, watched this episode with me recently. During one of Alison Arngrim's first close-ups in the schoolroom, he said, “Whoa! She looks like she wants to kill you! Slowly!” In real life, this episode marked the beginning of one of the most significant and longest lasting friendships of my life—with Alison Arngrim, my sister from another mother. We are still close to this very day. Also, when you view this episode, watch closely the scene where Ma shows us the fabric for her blue dress. I reached out to touch it, and Melissa Sue Anderson slapped my hand so hard that it made me laugh and then cry. Rewind and watch it again. It's pretty funny.

3. “The Raccoon” (season one, episode ten)

This episode kills me. I cry every time I watch it. I start when Mary confesses to Pa, and I don't stop until after the credits roll. The coolest part, though, is that I got to work with several real live raccoons—babies and adults. I spent crazy amounts of time with the raccoons so we would feel comfortable together. It worked. The scene where Jasper licks my face was pure bliss. That's not acting. That is unadulterated joy on my face! And I got to eat a gumdrop.

4. “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (season one, episodes thirteen and fourteen)

This is one of the stronger, if not the strongest, episodes we ever did. Michael Landon's writing was perfect. Although it's full of important themes about faith and forgiveness, the show is written from a child's
perspective. The fact that Laura literally takes Reverend Alden's advice—“The closer you are to God, the more likely he is to listen”—shows how forceful a simple message can be.

For me personally, this episode was an absolute joy. Working with Ernest Borgnine, Mike, and Victor on location in Sonora, California, was like a dream come true.

The climactic scene where Pa and Laura are reunited on Jonathan's mountain is the quintessential example of my relationship with Mike. The tears were mutual and real. The love between us is clear and obvious. This is the one I just can't bring myself to watch.

5. “At the End of the Rainbow” (season two, episode thirty-four)

All good adventures start with fishing! And what an adventure shooting this episode was. I just adored the dream sequences and dressing up like a prairie princess! Even better were the fun scenes with my costar Shane Sinutko—what a terrific actor. Then there is the scene at the end with Pa and Laura. That scene was one of our best father-daughter moments. Here's a great quote: “Half-Pint, you give us everything we want every single day of our lives. You give us love, respect, and joy; there isn't enough gold in the whole world to buy those things.”

Here's a fun little bit of trivia courtesy of our composer, David Rose: When you watch this episode, listen for a bit of a tribute to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in the music near the end.

6. “Bunny” (season three, episode forty-eight)

Well, if you thought Nellie was just sort of bad, maybe just a bit spoiled, but really good on the inside, this is the episode that will open your eyes. Nellie is almost borderline in this episode—making her parents believe for weeks that she can't walk. And what she does to poor Laura! Played by any other actor, Nellie could have seemed possessed. Played by Alison Arngrim, she's the girl you love to hate. The wheelchair scene near the end is classic Laura-and-Nellie, second only to the mud fight over Almanzo a season later. The real gem of this episode is Richard Bull's performance as Mr. Oleson—subtle and gentle. The final scene between Richard and me is sweet and very touching. Secret: Alison really broke her arm skateboarding. They put a prairie splint over her cast.

7. “Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow” (season eight, episodes 176 and 177)

Boy, oh boy, did we keep ol' Doc Baker busy in this episode: diphtheria, a stroke, a baby, a tornado, a nervous breakdown. I actually think they should rename these episodes “Get Doc Baker.”

Watching it now with middle-aged eyes, I am so moved by Dean Butler and Lucy Lee Flippin; their work in this episode is so solid. I did my level best too, imagining what it might be like to be married and have a baby. From where I sit now, having lived through those things, I think I might have made different choices as an actor. This may be the first time I had to really reach to play Laura. All that said, there is one line that makes me catch my breath and cry. It's said by Pa to Laura: “Thank you for being my daughter.”

8. “The Last Farewell” (television movie)

Filming this remains one of the most powerful yet cathartic experiences of my life! It seems that every day there was a final experience—the last scene in the Mercantile, the last day on the lot, the last time I laced up my boots. As difficult and sad as it was, it was also the perfect way for all of us to say good-bye.

The emotions etched on all of our faces, the sorrow and grief, were absolutely real. This film was our way of celebrating the life of our show and mourning its passing.

9. “Sweet Sixteen” (season six, episode 135)

This episode was shot several months before I turned sixteen myself. This is the episode where the romance between Laura and Almanzo really begins. In fact, they have their first kiss. I remember shooting that kiss and it was a really big deal. It was kind of scary, but it ended up being very sweet and tender. Bless Dean Butler's heart. He was a grown man having to kiss a child. I can only imagine the pressure he felt. If only I'd been able to tell him that I had already kissed a boy in real life—Tim Maier. He played Chad Brewster in that episode. Nobody knew. But they do now!

10. “The Halloween Dream” (season six, episode 120)

This episode was so much fun to shoot! We got to be very silly. There isn't a serious moment in the whole episode. We shot it in Tucson, and here's what's great about that: We shot in old Tucson, which had rides, a candy store, and a shooting gallery. It was crazy hot, but I stayed cool by drinking a lot of root beer floats.

The kid playing the son of Running Bull is Clint “Burkey” Lilley. His dad is Jack Lilley. Burkey is a stunt coordinator now. We've worked together a few times in the past several years.

I watched this episode with my sons recently, and they called me “Knothead” for a whole day!