I really like "Little House on the Prairie". I seen just about every episode. This episode, though I still liked it, was my least favorite, but no less superbly done. I mean, I get that Mr. Tyler was the bull of the woods and he feared losing to Charles. But what somebody should've taught Mr. Tyler is how to lose with dignity and that you can't win them all. I couldn't help but feel a little bit put off by his wife coming to Charles and implying that Charles should let him win. In a real game, you don't let anybody win; you play to win.
6 Reviews
Everybody's a winner in their own way
mitchrmp25 February 2013
This episode shows a founders day celebration - the first for the Ingalls, and the last that we see. It seems everyone is competitive in this episode. Charles is offended by an older man who claims to be better than him at chopping woods since Charles is just a farmer.
Caroline is worried about winning the pie baking contest. Her competition is Harried, which I find quite amusing. In later episodes, Harriet can't cook to save her life. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but she seems to be really good at a lot of things at the moment.
I won't give the results of the contests, but I'll just say that sometimes it's not about who wins - it's about what we learn from not winning that counts. And I think all the Ingalls learned some lessons along the way. Did Charles do the right thing in the end? Well, I tend to think so.
Caroline is worried about winning the pie baking contest. Her competition is Harried, which I find quite amusing. In later episodes, Harriet can't cook to save her life. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but she seems to be really good at a lot of things at the moment.
I won't give the results of the contests, but I'll just say that sometimes it's not about who wins - it's about what we learn from not winning that counts. And I think all the Ingalls learned some lessons along the way. Did Charles do the right thing in the end? Well, I tend to think so.
Chopping at the Bit...
ExplorerDS678917 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In a few short days, Walnut Grove would be celebrating Founder's Day, as the episode title states, which means fun, celebration, contests, and lots of hard work. Charles would be looking forward to the latter since he was sure none of the contests could use his abilities. When he arrived at Hanson's, Charles meets Jim Tyler, Edwards' temporary replacement. Tyler was an old-school curmudgeon who really knew his way around the wheel. He was a self-proclaimed expert logger, which he rubbed in Charles' face at every possible chance. Today, Charles and Jim were sent into the woods to cut down some lumber for Mr. Hanson. Now they didn't have no chainsaws back then, so Charles and Jim had to use a cross-cut saw and an ax to chop through them thick old tree trunks. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth they stroked that saw until it was cut clean through. One down, five to go. Now another of Jim's bad qualities is that he brags. When they bring back the loads, Jim took most of the credit, even though Charles did most of the work. To end their bickering, Mr. Hanson decided to hold a log chopping contest at the Founder's Day celebration. The winner would receive a watch, a blue ribbon, and a huge sense of self-worth. Needless to say, after such a big display that day, both men were completely worn out, but didn't let the other one catch on.
With the men and children competing to win first prize, there was no reason why the women couldn't get a piece of the action. Caroline and Harriet would compete in the pie bake-off. This was to be a Founder's Day nobody would soon forget. Well, the big day finally arrived. First came the jump-off: Mary and Laura versus Willie and some unnamed extra children. By a horrible twist of both fate and Mary's ankle, Willie won. Next, Reverend Alden was given the daunting task of judging the pie bake-off between Caroline and Harriet. The winner was Mrs. Grandy. I'm surprised that Harriet's pie was edible, since in later seasons we see that she can't cook to save her life. Next it was the rolling hoops between Laura, Nellie and some other children. Nellie won. Luck sure isn't on the Ingalls' side today, but then when is it? Maybe Charles will have better luck in the tug'o war. On the other side of the mud leading the team, because he was pussy-whipped into doing so, Nels Oleson. Back and forth, back and forth, both teams pulled hard. Nels was the first one into the mud, but then Charles took a header into the puddle, and somehow Nels is declared the winner...maybe somebody should explain this competition to Doc Baker since he obviously doesn't know that the first one into the mud LOSES. Oh well, it was fun anyway. Caroline and Laura found success in the three-legged race. Now, for the coupe de grace: the chop-off. Charles Ingalls vs. Jim Tyler. Young vs. old. Go to it, men! Put the fear of God in those logs! First heat (round) went to Tyler. Heat 2 went to Charles. So as the Ingalls patriarch set about sharpening his ax, along came Helen Tyler, who essentially pleaded for Charles to let Jim win, seeing as how he was always a "bull of the woods" and now he was a tired, stubborn old man who wouldn't admit defeat. Now tell him something he doesn't know, Helen. Anyway, it was soon time for the third and last heat: Charles and Jim chomped at the bit with all of their might. Jim Tyler won...I wonder if Helen's influence had anything to do with it? But hey, it's not about winning or losing, it's about playing the game, taking chances, sportsmanship, yadda, yadda, yadda. What a load. Well, at least Laura learned a thing or two about competition. At least Charles won something: first prize in sanctimony.
This episode was pretty good. It was fun, had a few good laughs and some interesting life lessons. Michael Landon really brought it home, as did Forrest Tucker as the aging bull of the woods Jim Tyler, whom we will never see or hear from again, so I guess Charles came out ahead. This episode closes out Season 1, a nice beginning to a great series. There were good times, bad times, unsure time and downright far-fetched times, but they always managed to pull through. It was a shame Isaiah Edwards wasn't in this episode. I would have loved to see him in the tug'o war and even that chopping contest. I guess Victor French was too busy. So if you like stories about competition and just how seriously some people take it, Founder's Day is for you. Check it out, and check out the rest of Season 1 and the many more seasons to come.
With the men and children competing to win first prize, there was no reason why the women couldn't get a piece of the action. Caroline and Harriet would compete in the pie bake-off. This was to be a Founder's Day nobody would soon forget. Well, the big day finally arrived. First came the jump-off: Mary and Laura versus Willie and some unnamed extra children. By a horrible twist of both fate and Mary's ankle, Willie won. Next, Reverend Alden was given the daunting task of judging the pie bake-off between Caroline and Harriet. The winner was Mrs. Grandy. I'm surprised that Harriet's pie was edible, since in later seasons we see that she can't cook to save her life. Next it was the rolling hoops between Laura, Nellie and some other children. Nellie won. Luck sure isn't on the Ingalls' side today, but then when is it? Maybe Charles will have better luck in the tug'o war. On the other side of the mud leading the team, because he was pussy-whipped into doing so, Nels Oleson. Back and forth, back and forth, both teams pulled hard. Nels was the first one into the mud, but then Charles took a header into the puddle, and somehow Nels is declared the winner...maybe somebody should explain this competition to Doc Baker since he obviously doesn't know that the first one into the mud LOSES. Oh well, it was fun anyway. Caroline and Laura found success in the three-legged race. Now, for the coupe de grace: the chop-off. Charles Ingalls vs. Jim Tyler. Young vs. old. Go to it, men! Put the fear of God in those logs! First heat (round) went to Tyler. Heat 2 went to Charles. So as the Ingalls patriarch set about sharpening his ax, along came Helen Tyler, who essentially pleaded for Charles to let Jim win, seeing as how he was always a "bull of the woods" and now he was a tired, stubborn old man who wouldn't admit defeat. Now tell him something he doesn't know, Helen. Anyway, it was soon time for the third and last heat: Charles and Jim chomped at the bit with all of their might. Jim Tyler won...I wonder if Helen's influence had anything to do with it? But hey, it's not about winning or losing, it's about playing the game, taking chances, sportsmanship, yadda, yadda, yadda. What a load. Well, at least Laura learned a thing or two about competition. At least Charles won something: first prize in sanctimony.
This episode was pretty good. It was fun, had a few good laughs and some interesting life lessons. Michael Landon really brought it home, as did Forrest Tucker as the aging bull of the woods Jim Tyler, whom we will never see or hear from again, so I guess Charles came out ahead. This episode closes out Season 1, a nice beginning to a great series. There were good times, bad times, unsure time and downright far-fetched times, but they always managed to pull through. It was a shame Isaiah Edwards wasn't in this episode. I would have loved to see him in the tug'o war and even that chopping contest. I guess Victor French was too busy. So if you like stories about competition and just how seriously some people take it, Founder's Day is for you. Check it out, and check out the rest of Season 1 and the many more seasons to come.
a day of celebration!!!
RedRainbowUnicorn231 October 2015
the season 1 finale founders day!! This episode was light and fun and also the only finale that was in this tone all the others were pretty serious. Every body in walnut grove is getting ready for the most famous day "founders day". The day that walnut grove was founded by Lars Hanson. Its a huge day full of games and contests and everyone of the ingalls family are competing at something. Laura:hoop rolling and 3 legged race. Mary:rope jumping. Caroline:pie baking,3 legged race. Charles:tug of war,wood Chopin contest. The episode have a lot of funny moments were almost all futures the Olsen's. This show would not have worked with out them!!! Give this one a look its light its funny and a great way to end the series's first season.
Now continue to season 2. Have fun!!
Now continue to season 2. Have fun!!
If it were only so...😵
spottygoodboy12 June 2020
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