Little House on the Prairie ran for nine seasons, with three movies that aired after the series was canceled. One of these episodes is a Christmas one titled, "Bless All the Dear Children." Though my least favorite Little House episode set around Christmas, there are good moments to celebrate or at least mention. Here is my list of nitpicks and memorable moments.
Nitpicks
- Pa's narration opens the episode by stating this story takes place in the winter of 1896. Rose Wilder was born in 1886. She would have been 10.
- Pa also says that while they were used to cold winters, the winter of 1896 brought with it warm temperatures (hence people walking around with no coats and their sleeves rolled up in December in Minnesota). That year, the Midwest had experienced a long Indian summer, but by Thanksgiving, temperatures were well below average, with some areas reporting record breaking cold (-50).
- Mr. Edwards gets into a bar fight, which is why Almanzo leaves Rose and she is abducted. Didn't he pretty much stop drinking after the whole incident with Albert?
- Somehow, Samuel hid in the back of their wagon, undetected, even though they had to ride half a day to get to their first stop.
- Mr. Edwards doesn't apologize. Not when Almanzo feels guilty and breaks down, or when Laura is upset they will never find Rose.
- The star in the sky leading them to Samuel after he runs away is just too corny, even if I am a huge fan.
- The Carters living in the little house on Plum Creek will never sit right with me.
Memorable Moments
- Seeing the family together and happy. The Wilders endured Almanzo's illness and paralysis, a tornado destroying their first house, the loss of Royal Wilder, the loss of Baby Wilder, Rose contracting small pox, Jenny Wilder almost dying twice, and the death of Laura's beloved brother, Albert. Thank goodness we see some happy times, too.
- The way the actors portrayed a married couple in crisis. By now, they should be experts at it. We should remember, however, that neither was married, and Melissa Gilbert was only 19 when this episode aired.
- Mr. Montague delivering presents to the Carters and Jenny Wilder dressed as Santa Claus. Though he rallied against the commercialization of Christmas--something I'm pretty sure never came up in the late 1800s--he puts aside his feelings when the Wilders are delayed, leaving the Carters with nothing to give their boys.
- A strong Almanzo defending his family. When they find Rose, Patrick Norris still believes the story his wife has told him about the little girl she brought home belonging to them. It doesn't take long for him to grab his gun. Though Laura pleads with both men to stop arguing, Almanzo isn't about to back down from protecting his family. Seeing him so dedicated to his family is not new, but if you think of how despondent he was when Rose was born and he thought he would never walk again, this strong protector is truly a different man.
- Sam being adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Norris. Not sure everything was legal, but they all ended up happy.
This remains a classic Michael Landon Little House on the Prairie episode that blends drama, humor, and Christmas joy into one story that tugs at the heartstrings. What are your thoughts on this episode?
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