Annabelle

Another unbelievable episode. First off, a town as small as Walnut Grove attracting a big circus? Not believeable in the slightest. These are poor farmers who would not be able to afford to attend such an attraction let alone have the time to do so. Then we see Laura sewing for income for the first time but we never see her do that in any future episodes. Seems the writers go to great lengths to have characters doing things in a way that fit the plot but leave big character holes. Another unbelievable moment is when Nellie and Willie actually stand in applause when their father announces that the fat lady is indeed his sister. Usually they take up the same bigotry as their mother. But now they are proud of their father's announcement? Doesn't fit their characters. But the worst thing about this episode is no 12 year old would go up in public (dressed as a clown or not) and passionately kiss a man at least 10 years older than herself. Not in that time period. And her mother saw her do it yet doesn't reprimand her later at all. At least that we see. Again, not believable.

Probably my favorite episode! Oh the feels! Love you Nels and Annabelle!

Little House on the Prairie has proven to be quite flexible with regards to historical accuracy. Mistakes or intentional stretches of imagination sure add to the entertainment value of the show. That's why we don't think much of whether such a circus would travel to a small town like Walnut Grove.

Yeah we have seen one-man acts with a monkey and a crow before, traveling medicine men whatnot. But this time it's kinda huge, with all the works. When you think on it, kinda confusing because Walnut Grove seems to have a churchgoer population of one or two dozen people, few of them rich, and the economics of a crowded circus putting on a show there is... Never mind... The episode is about how Nils will embrace a family member who was ostracized for being... obese!

Okay... I can't say I listened to every single line, but I have this gut feeling there was lack of information as to how and why that sister got estranged. That story looks as strange as the circus itself. But again... This episode is set almost on the borders between real-life Walnut Grove and some dream sequence, so that's not an issue either.

It was smart of the writers to actively use the setting to push further the love story between Laura and Almanzo.

It's a strange episode that strangely works. Eat your heart out, Fellini!

There were several interesting stories in this episode.

First, we have the Laura-Almonzo storyline. She really wants to invite Almanzo to the circus that's coming to town, but she's afraid he'll reject her. Opportunity arises when Albert gives her an extra ticket in a way that annoys her. But when she finally gets the nerve to ask Almanzo, he turns her down because he already has a date. Laura is upset when she learns it's the stuck-up Christie Norton, whom she's making a dress for! As time goes by, Laura decides Christie needs a lesson and the events that "unravel" show just how jealous Laura really is of anybody trying to steal her man!

Another plot is Laura and Albert playing parts in the Circus. They meet a nice man, London, and wonder about a quiet, sad clown. What they learn is a bit surprising.

But the main plot is Nels discovering that the sister he never talks about is in town. She is the fat lady. Her being fat is what put a wedge between the brother and sister several years ago. Harriet is very, very rude in this episode. She makes fun of the fat lady from the very beginning and doesn't stop even after learning that she's related to her! Even though she was put in her place at the end, it's still dis-heartening to see how she acts - as if her world was coming to an end!

The personality of Mrs. Oleson seems to only worsen over time. I can't help but to really hate her...