As the sixth season of Little House on the Prairie rolled into its sixth season in 1979, the show kept its reputation as a show both adults and children could enjoy. While the series addresses several important issues of the day, 1880’s style. However, it was done in a calm, non-preachy way. The Ingalls’ certainly weren’t without faults, but they were easy to admire.
The sixth season begins with the introduction of two new characters: New teacher Eliza Jane Wilder (Lucy Lee Flippin) is Laura’s (Melissa Gilbert) new schoolmarm, but it’s Eliza’s brother Almanzo Wilder (Dean Butler), that will cause momentous change in Laura’s life, and a certain amount of upheaval in the Ingalls household. It’s clear from the two-part season opener, “Back to School,” that Laura has a fascination with the strapping Almanzo that just might turn into something special. Initially, the budding relationship is threatened by the nefarious Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim). The whole thing plays out in a surprisingly humorous manner in a multi-episode arc. As the season progresses, we watch as Laura, somewhat quickly, makes the transition from girlhood into young womanhood. As her feelings for Almanzo develop, Charles must face that his “Half-Pint” is truly growing up.
Modern viewers may be a bit startled to see young Laura involved in such a serious romance at sixteen, but Little House is being true to the historical setting (and Laura Ingalls Wilder’s own biography). While Laura’s transition from a girl to a young woman is rather quick, the show handles it rather well, and by the end of the season in “Sweet Sixteen” and “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not,” Laura has taken on an interesting new dimension as a character that continued to develop in later seasons.
While changes in Laura’s life are the major focus of the season, the writers found time for some standalone, notable episodes. Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) is adopted by Charles and Caroline Ingalls, In another episode, a fat lady with a traveling circus making a stop in Walnut Grove, has an unexpected connection with someone in the community. “The Return of Mr. Edwards,” is self-explanatory, but it’s a surprisingly dark reunion. For me the most memorable episode of the season is the tragic two-parter, “May We Make Them Proud.” Let’s just say, I remember be stunned when I first saw it. And just when you thought you’d seen it all, Nellie makes a major life change.
This season’s episodes are:
- 1. Back to School – Part I
- 2. Back to School – Part II
- 3. The Family Tree
- 4. The Third Miracle
- 5. Annabelle
- 6. The Preacher Takes a Wife
- 7. The Haloween Dream
- 8. The Return of Mr. Edwards
- 9. The King is Dead
- 10. The Faith Healer
- 11. Author! Author!
- 12. Crossed Connections
- 13. The Angry Heart
- 14. The Werewolf of Walnut Grove
- 15. Whatever Happened to the Class of ’56
- 16. Darkness is My Friend
- 17. Silent Promises
- 18. May We Make Them Proud – Part I
- 19. May We Make Them Proud – Part II
- 20. Wilder and Wilder
- 21. Second Spring
- 22. Sweet Sixteen
- 23. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not – Part I
- 24. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not – Part II
Presented in the 1.36:1 aspect ratio, Lionsgate’s 1080p presentation is a solid one. Colors do look slightly washed out at times, but it’s likely something the remastering couldn’t rectify. On other occasions, colors are rather bright and vivid. Grain is completely intact and resolves naturally. There’s some minor crush in a few episodes, but it’s nothing that interferes with the viewing experience. All in all, this transfer should please fans.
The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track is robust, offering clear dialogue, effects, and score. There are no hisses, pops, crackles, or other issues of concern.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- The Little House Phenomenon Part Six – A Lasting Legacy (HD, 16:20) The continuation of the multi-part doc found on all previous volumes. This part focuses on the fact that LHOTP has resonated with so many people over the years. There’s also some discussion about how the show’s cancellation took the cast and crew by surprise.