Customer Reviews

Little House on the Prairie - The Complete Season 9

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3 star:		(5)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

In the last season, we see more of the Carters and Wilders than the Ingallses. You have to wonder why the writers did this; certainly there was a behind-the-scenes reason. For some viewers, much of the show's charm is missing along with the Ingalls family, but it remains classic, family friendly TV with some truly great moments. Nellie comes home to envious fireworks from Nancy (her face as she asks Caroline, "Was I ever that bad?" is priceless). The Younger brothers are spoofed with a cheesy humor that is lost on children but makes the episode classic for probably many adults. Jason Carter befriends a dying lady in maybe the best episode of the season. Laura pens her first draft of Little House in the Big Woods, wins a writing contest, and concedes the prize when she realizes the publishers intend to change her story. Isaiah Edwards is perhaps the most poignant character of this season, as he cares for and defends a circus "wild boy" (who later leaves town to live with his father) and falls in love only to decide that he's an "old man" and the girl's life will be better without him.

Episode List, first aired September 1982-March 1983

Times Are Changing (parts 1&2)
Welcome To Olesonville
Rage
Little Lou
The Wild Boy (parts 1&2)
The Return of Nellie
The Empire Builders
Love
Alden's Dilemma
Marvin's Garden
Sins of the Fathers
The Older Brothers
Once Upon a Time
Home Again (2-hour episode)
A Child With No Name
The Last Summer
For the Love of Blanche
May I Have This Dance
Hello and Goodbye

In season 9 of "Little House," the series is re-titled "Little House, A New Beginning," as Michael Landon and Karen Grassle leave the series, and Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler become the new lead actors as Laura and Almonzo. With Laura as the only member of the Ingalls family remaining in Walnut Grove, the series did lose many fans who could not accept the absence of Charles and Caroline, and the rest of the Ingalls children. The Carter family moves into the Ingalls' old home, but it is never quite the same. This season Alison Arngrim makes a welcome guest appearance in "The Return of Nellie." However, while this is Alison's final appearance as Nellie, she has a cameo as a phone operator in the series finale, "The Last Farewell." We also see the return of Charles and Albert Ingalls in the two-part episode "Home Again," where Albert is battling a morphine addiction. This season's finale, "Hello And Goodbye," is the last time we see the character of Mrs. Oleson, as she does not appear in any of the final three movies. We await the DVD release of the final three movies, "Look Back To Yesterday"(which also features the return of Charles and Albert), "Bless All The Dear Children," and the series finale "The Last Farewell," which tragically ends with the destruction of Walnut Grove. I hope these movies will be released soon to complete the series.

Landon's true last season was defintely Season 8 and he basically took over the story lines and directing duties for Season 9. His gray hair must have been the deciding factor! Just kidding. Karen Grassle (Mrs. Ingalls) is nowhere to be found, Carrie Ingalls, Mary, Adam Kendall... vanished...Landon (Mr. Ingalls) starts out in the opening episode and returns for a very "morbid episode with Albert in the midlde of the season" It must be said though although the most beloved character is gone, the charm and satisfaction of the show is still very much intact. Landon's directing abilities certainly shine as the stories do not seem old and rehashed from past years.

Season 9 is truly a "New Beginning" as the characters have certainly evolved, and there are newbies galore. Shannon Daughtery is an amazing little actor in this series as I couldn't believe it was her when I popped it in my DVD player. I think I liked her better as a little girl! Isaiah Edwards, (Victor French) has once again became one of the main characters for the series and is with the season througout the stay. Laura and Almonzo are still around along with classics such as Nels, Harriet, Nancy and Wily, Willy Olesen, Dr. Baker and the Reverend Alden are still here. I think this is the last Season we get to enjoy the antics of Harriet (McGreggor) as I don't believe she reprises her role in Season 10. The stories still seem (and manage) to touch the heart like they did in the earlier seasons and still draws tears to fans. How they can make a story about a strayed babboon in Walnut Grove and make it enjoyable is beyond me, but it's successful no matter how you cut it.

The most gut wrenching and disturbing 2-part episode is with the return of Albert and Charles Ingalls. It's the most morbid episode ever for the series and is almost to the point of being inappropriate for younger viewers. The moral is certainly "drugs will ruin your life, so don't do drugs!" Albert is addicted to Morphine, and the show puts you through his vomiting, convulsions, hallucinations, his severe withdrawl and the battle with his father to save his life. Can the great and powerful Charles Ingalls save him one last time? Great entertainment, allbeit a bit morbid.

Fans of the series should still buy this, It's not the best season by any means, most of the classic characters are gone, but the show still manages to rock thanks to continued great storylines and fine acting. It's still one of the betters forms of entertainment that should be on everyone's shelf for years to come.

As a long time LHOTP fan, I am completing my collection. This season includes extras which make it far worth the price alone. I loved the interviews with Melissa Gilbert, the Greenbush twins, and Karen Grassle. Plus I learned so much about the real Laura Ingalls, and the exhibits/museums etc. one can visit in the states she lived in. It's all fascinating to me. The real treat was the book which was so wonderfully written, filled with fascinating tidbits and trivia about the making of the series, the actors - and where they are now. It has everything LHOTP from A-Z. I even learned Bandit's 'real' name - but you'll have to buy this set to find out, because I'm not telling. ;) If you're a true Little House devotee, this set is a MUST HAVE.

When Pa,Ma and The rest of the Ingalls go to Chicago,only Laura,and her Husband Manly stay behind along with daughter,Rose. Almanzo's brother Royal comes for a visit,and says,He's dying,but his daughter Jenny doesn't know that. After he dies,The Wilders take her in,and The Carters move in to The old Ingalls' place. Nancy is jealous of Nellie when she comes back for her birthday,and Nellie asks,I know I was Tempermental at her age,but I wasn't that bad,was I? to both her parents and all 3 crack up laughing. Laura says,Nellie wasn't as bad as Nancy.

Being a first generation Little House fan, I remember the first run episodes of this series, including the 9th full season. Charles and Caroline are gone, the Little House taken over by the Carters, but Laura and Almanzo are still there. The stories are enthralling, family friendly, heartwarming, sad, funny...everything that Little House is famous for!! This season does full justice to Michael Landon's legacy to Laura Ingalls Wilder and we have some great entertaining moments here. My favorite episode is "May I Have This Dance" where a charming Willie Oleson comes of age and marries a sweet girl named Rachel. The scene where he tells Mrs. Oleson off is priceless. Its obvious he's becoming more and more like his father and not the annoying little pest he was when he was little. Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler more than hold their own as the true de-facto stars here, but the Carter family is very engaging and appealing. Any true Little House fan will enjoy this season just as much as the others. I now have my Little House collection complete and Season Nine is one of my favorites! Money well-spent!

This is a must-have for any true Little House fan.
I have to agree that the 9th season is not the best, but the extras are worth the purchase alone. The book is a treasure!

"Little house on the prairie" is the best television show ever. We care about the characters because they were so well designed.

The book accompanying the DVD set is incredibly well done, with plenty of wonderful anecdotes and pictures.

My Husband bought me Season 1-8 for Christmas. My Kids Love them, including my son who is 15. We finished watching them all this July(05) & It was my son who suggested we start over again! His behavior has improved since Little House, he was a good boy before. I think seeing is believing for teens, just parents telling him how we as humans should be just wasn't enough. My kids are begging me to by more seasons of Little House! Little house is Good Wholesome Fun Entertainment! You gotta Love & Hate Harriet & Nelly those two are a trip! My "12" daughter also learned about how to deal with "teasing" by "seeing" Laura with Nelly! If you are thinking on collecting these seasons on DVD...DO...they are so much better without the commercials! Buy & Enjoy! Mom age 36

The book alone is worth the price of the DVD! It is exhaustive, and will tell you everything you want to know about Little House. It was a wonderful surprise for me, beacuse I didn't know it was offered with the DVD.