I absolutely LOVE when Nellie and Percival get together. Alison Arngrim is so cute when the eggs are dumped on her and all she can think of that Percival thinks she is pretty. Such a cute little romance!
Little House on the Prairie (TV Series)
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (Part I) (1980)
User Reviews
Review this title8 Reviews
Love Alison Arngrim as Nellie
rerunwatcher10 December 2021
Wedding Bell Blues...
ExplorerDS67893 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
For lovebirds Laura and Almanzo, life couldn't be sweeter. Sure he was roughly 9 years her senior, but the love was there, and Almanzo was desperately trying to work up the courage to pop the question. When he did, Laura was ecstatic. But would Charles and Caroline approve? Well when Caroline had to take off work at the restaurant to help prepare a special dinner at which Almanzo would make the announcement, Nellie was stuck cooking at her restaurant, and did a terrible job at it too. So much so that the restaurant was in dire straights and Nels let the cat out of the bag by saying the only reason Harriet got her the damn thing in the first place was so she could find a man stupid enough to marry her. He didn't say that part, but I'm sure he was thinking it. So while Walnut Grove's favorite family tries to figure out how to save the fledgling eatery, Almanzo and the Ingallses sit down to the special dinner, where young Mr. Wilder brings about the subject of matrimony. Charles was all for it...provided they wait 2 years. He wanted Laura to wait and marry when she was 18 (didn't he let Mary get married at 16?) Laura objects, but Charles tells her to shut up because her getting married has nothing to do with her.... huh? In a nut shell, Charles wants to be sure the two of them are sure about each other and want to be life partners and all that, and the set limit for such things is 2 years. Naturally Almanzo was very disappointed and left quickly, sending Laura falling into an emotional heap and making Charles feel like a heal. I think this scene wants us to be mad at Charles for standing between them, but some people can see where he's coming from. I mean, Almanzo is 25 and Laura is 16, still legally a child, even in 1885. He wants to make sure it really is true love and not some mild infatuation. That being said, he's still a control freak, and a bit of an ass, but then Almanzo acts very immature about it later on.
Since Almanzo loved Laura so, you'd think he would understand about her needing some time, right? Nope, he wanted her to make a choice: him or her Pa. While that was going on, construction for the new blind school was in full swing, but Adam receives word that his father had died from Little House Plot Device Disease and he had to go to New York to settle the estate. Laura was sent along as his...seeing-eye girl or something. Because Adam's father was such a spend-thrift, he'd amassed a sea of debt and Adam's inheritance was zippo. Gee, thanks, Dad; Back in the Grove, a cerebral, yet stalwart young man by the name of Percival Dalton arrives to take on the daunting challenge of teaching Nellie how to run her (dis)establishment. First order of business: change the name from Nellie's to Caroline's. Let folks know who REALLY does the cookin'. While Harriett adjusts to this, Charles goes to meet Adam and Laura's train in Sleepy Eye. As they ride home, Laura spots an abandoned building for rent, which could work as the new blind school. The proprietor, kindly Mr. Houston, let it go for $40 a month, and as an added bonus, Caroline would be getting a 50% raise due to naming the restaurant after her. It was temporary full-time work, but still it was a lot of money. It would cover the rent of the blind school; Percival, meanwhile, really had his work cut out for him, trying to train belligerent Nellie how to work a kitchen, without much success. But you see, you don't want to get Percival angry. He's a short man with a short temper, he quickly put Nellie in her place (someone had to do it) and in the process, called her pretty. Well, sir, at that moment she knew she was in love, and it as if a change had come over Nellie Oleson. She begged Percival for a second chance, which he benevolently granted. That young man is a miracle worker! But what about Almanzo? He hadn't come back since giving Laura the ultimatum. Will he come back? Will Charles change his mind and let he and Laura get married now or make them wait 2 years? Maybe 1 year? We'll find out in Part II.
This episode introduces a brand new character to the series, Percival Isaac Cohen Dalton. A great character in his own right, and the man who had the key to unlock Nellie's inner beauty. Steve Tracy was excellent and a welcome addition to the cast. As for the others, Dean Butler as Almanzo. Very convincing. You could really see the emotion when he gets rejected by Charles and when he makes Laura choose. Melissa Gilbert was also stellar, conveying all the right emotions. All in all, this was a good episode, with added humor from Nels and Harriet. Speaking of which, watch how Percival handles Harriet in the last act. I don't know why this actor never won an Emmy for his role. So watch "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" and stay tuned for the next part in which this whole conundrum will slowly be solved.
Since Almanzo loved Laura so, you'd think he would understand about her needing some time, right? Nope, he wanted her to make a choice: him or her Pa. While that was going on, construction for the new blind school was in full swing, but Adam receives word that his father had died from Little House Plot Device Disease and he had to go to New York to settle the estate. Laura was sent along as his...seeing-eye girl or something. Because Adam's father was such a spend-thrift, he'd amassed a sea of debt and Adam's inheritance was zippo. Gee, thanks, Dad; Back in the Grove, a cerebral, yet stalwart young man by the name of Percival Dalton arrives to take on the daunting challenge of teaching Nellie how to run her (dis)establishment. First order of business: change the name from Nellie's to Caroline's. Let folks know who REALLY does the cookin'. While Harriett adjusts to this, Charles goes to meet Adam and Laura's train in Sleepy Eye. As they ride home, Laura spots an abandoned building for rent, which could work as the new blind school. The proprietor, kindly Mr. Houston, let it go for $40 a month, and as an added bonus, Caroline would be getting a 50% raise due to naming the restaurant after her. It was temporary full-time work, but still it was a lot of money. It would cover the rent of the blind school; Percival, meanwhile, really had his work cut out for him, trying to train belligerent Nellie how to work a kitchen, without much success. But you see, you don't want to get Percival angry. He's a short man with a short temper, he quickly put Nellie in her place (someone had to do it) and in the process, called her pretty. Well, sir, at that moment she knew she was in love, and it as if a change had come over Nellie Oleson. She begged Percival for a second chance, which he benevolently granted. That young man is a miracle worker! But what about Almanzo? He hadn't come back since giving Laura the ultimatum. Will he come back? Will Charles change his mind and let he and Laura get married now or make them wait 2 years? Maybe 1 year? We'll find out in Part II.
This episode introduces a brand new character to the series, Percival Isaac Cohen Dalton. A great character in his own right, and the man who had the key to unlock Nellie's inner beauty. Steve Tracy was excellent and a welcome addition to the cast. As for the others, Dean Butler as Almanzo. Very convincing. You could really see the emotion when he gets rejected by Charles and when he makes Laura choose. Melissa Gilbert was also stellar, conveying all the right emotions. All in all, this was a good episode, with added humor from Nels and Harriet. Speaking of which, watch how Percival handles Harriet in the last act. I don't know why this actor never won an Emmy for his role. So watch "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" and stay tuned for the next part in which this whole conundrum will slowly be solved.
The Episode that Everyone Was Waiting For!
spasek13 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I recall seeing this episode when it premiered. Everyone had been waiting throughout Season 6 for Laura and Almanzo to finally get together (which takes place in the previous episode). Little House didn't put on the brakes, as they ended Season 6 with Almanzo proposing to Laura and not getting the answer they're both hoping for.
Charles is insisting that they wait two years, as he's concerned about how young Laura is. There is a bit of irony here, as Charles had been concerned about their age-gap throughout this season. However, nobody points out to him that Mary (who was only 15) meets and falls in love with Adam, a man also in his early-twenties. Charles never raised an objection. Adam and Mary would get married a short time later.
However, this is a fairly minor point since television back then did not rely on consistency. Stories were episodic that rarely ever went beyond a 2-part story arc.
While the meat of the episode is on Almanzo and Laura trying to deal with Charles' answer, the story arc concerning Nellie and Percival steals the show.
Nellie finally meets her match in a short, Jewish man with a "very short temper!" He doesn't tolerate Nellie's attitude and misbehavior. Percival stands up to her and wins her heart by telling her, "someone as pretty as you are doesn't need a restaurant to catch a husband!" This would be the episode that forever brings Nellie from the "dark side" to the "light." Nels even finds himself dumbfounded when Percival shuts up Harriet when she's trying to scold him for the treatment of Nellie.
This was a pivotal episode that led into Season 7's premiere that finally saw Laura and Almanzo getting married. It's still one of my all-time favorites and it's always a joy to watch when it's on television.
Charles is insisting that they wait two years, as he's concerned about how young Laura is. There is a bit of irony here, as Charles had been concerned about their age-gap throughout this season. However, nobody points out to him that Mary (who was only 15) meets and falls in love with Adam, a man also in his early-twenties. Charles never raised an objection. Adam and Mary would get married a short time later.
However, this is a fairly minor point since television back then did not rely on consistency. Stories were episodic that rarely ever went beyond a 2-part story arc.
While the meat of the episode is on Almanzo and Laura trying to deal with Charles' answer, the story arc concerning Nellie and Percival steals the show.
Nellie finally meets her match in a short, Jewish man with a "very short temper!" He doesn't tolerate Nellie's attitude and misbehavior. Percival stands up to her and wins her heart by telling her, "someone as pretty as you are doesn't need a restaurant to catch a husband!" This would be the episode that forever brings Nellie from the "dark side" to the "light." Nels even finds himself dumbfounded when Percival shuts up Harriet when she's trying to scold him for the treatment of Nellie.
This was a pivotal episode that led into Season 7's premiere that finally saw Laura and Almanzo getting married. It's still one of my all-time favorites and it's always a joy to watch when it's on television.
We're Engaged!
mitchrmp20 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This is another one of my favorite episodes! I just love the courting and marriage of Laura and Almonzo. Ending the season, Almanzo pops the question to Laura and expects her father to give him his permission. Unfortunately, they don't get the answer they expect. Charles wants Laura to wait until she's eighteen to get married. Both Laura and Almanzo are very upset about this. After some explaining from her mother, Laura accepts her father's decision, but the man she loves gives her a choice: him or Charles. Laura chooses her father. Almanzo leaves town.
another story line in this story is Nellie and Percivle (Sp?). Mr. Dalton is a short, odd looking man who looks like he could be easily squashed. But we soon learned there's nothing weak about him. He's able to take on both the Oleson women and come out on top. The egg scene is one of my favorite scenes of the entire series! By the end of the episode, Nellie has been transformed, and from here on out will be a totally different person.
Lastly, Mary and Adam get news that Adam's father has passed away. Laura goes with Adam to Sleepy eye (or Mankato?) to take the train to settle his father's estate. when they get back to Sleepy Eye, Laura finds a building for the blind school. Almanzo is there and is shocked to see her.
The episode ends with the announcement that Almanzo is in Sleepy Eye and Caroline is sending Laura there for two weeks. This sets up what will be a very interesting episode in the second part!
another story line in this story is Nellie and Percivle (Sp?). Mr. Dalton is a short, odd looking man who looks like he could be easily squashed. But we soon learned there's nothing weak about him. He's able to take on both the Oleson women and come out on top. The egg scene is one of my favorite scenes of the entire series! By the end of the episode, Nellie has been transformed, and from here on out will be a totally different person.
Lastly, Mary and Adam get news that Adam's father has passed away. Laura goes with Adam to Sleepy eye (or Mankato?) to take the train to settle his father's estate. when they get back to Sleepy Eye, Laura finds a building for the blind school. Almanzo is there and is shocked to see her.
The episode ends with the announcement that Almanzo is in Sleepy Eye and Caroline is sending Laura there for two weeks. This sets up what will be a very interesting episode in the second part!
I wish everybody would stop reminding me of everything I've said.
mark.waltz18 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Lots of drama and comedy concerning the show's three young ladies-Mary, Laura and Nellie, finally softening when someone tells her that she is pretty. Mary and Adam find out bad news and Laura, dealing with pa's rejection of Almonzo's request to marry her, goes with Adam to help him settle an estate. Nellie gets reluctant aide with the arrival of Percival Dalton (Steve Tracy) who finds her insufferable, but just one word changes that. This is the episode where Nellie in bad temperament goes off with a series of short jokes, and finds out that a short temper is the key to the taming of her shrew.
Had I been writing the show, I may not have rushed a Nellie and Percival romance because it is obvious from the start that there is a special bond between Alison Arngrim and Steve Tracy, and they deserved a story that could have been much more detailed. The atonement of Nellie is along time coming and the smile of the sweet Nellie reflects Arngrim's outer and inner beauty. The mix of three stories works together just fine, but unfortunately there are no scenes with Nellie and her two rivals. Dub Taylor is a feisty delight as Houston, his repeated "Little Lady" line later utilized on "Designing Women".
Had I been writing the show, I may not have rushed a Nellie and Percival romance because it is obvious from the start that there is a special bond between Alison Arngrim and Steve Tracy, and they deserved a story that could have been much more detailed. The atonement of Nellie is along time coming and the smile of the sweet Nellie reflects Arngrim's outer and inner beauty. The mix of three stories works together just fine, but unfortunately there are no scenes with Nellie and her two rivals. Dub Taylor is a feisty delight as Houston, his repeated "Little Lady" line later utilized on "Designing Women".
Come to think of it...
muratmihcioglu7 December 2023
Phone lines had reached Walnut Grove many episodes earlier, yet, Adam is notified of the passing of his father by mail.
Charles allowed Mary to get engaged at 13, and married (to someone else) at 17 at most, but demands that Laura wait till 18.
Almanzo loves Laura very much, but not much enough to wait for two years to take her as wife. She has to marry right away or he'll break up.
A coach rider asks 2 dollars to give Nels a hand unloading a heavy box, the publication of Grandpa's book costs 32 dollars, a rifle 2.50, and America can thrive as these wild numbers, indicating rapid inflations and deflations whatnot shape the economy.
Mary and Adam's little son, along with Jonathan Garvey's wife, died getting burned as a result of neglection in which Albert played a part in, but there are no hard feelings between Albert and any of these people. It's almost like what got burned was some relics.
I'm amazed how all these wild inconsistencies have been stitched together thanks to smart storytelling and appeal to emotions.
Charles allowed Mary to get engaged at 13, and married (to someone else) at 17 at most, but demands that Laura wait till 18.
Almanzo loves Laura very much, but not much enough to wait for two years to take her as wife. She has to marry right away or he'll break up.
A coach rider asks 2 dollars to give Nels a hand unloading a heavy box, the publication of Grandpa's book costs 32 dollars, a rifle 2.50, and America can thrive as these wild numbers, indicating rapid inflations and deflations whatnot shape the economy.
Mary and Adam's little son, along with Jonathan Garvey's wife, died getting burned as a result of neglection in which Albert played a part in, but there are no hard feelings between Albert and any of these people. It's almost like what got burned was some relics.
I'm amazed how all these wild inconsistencies have been stitched together thanks to smart storytelling and appeal to emotions.
the entire town and the entire Ingalls family to work to fulfill Mary's personal satisfaction
drfernandogil21 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I already know that the main plot of this chapter involves the relationship between Laura and Almanso. In this regard, I notice that many criticize Almanso's position of demanding "now or never" from Laura when the girl is only just 16 years old. But let's remember that, shortly after, Laura was ready, now married, to leave Almanso because she was not willing to give in to Almanso's demand that she not work as a teacher.
The other fact that always moves me to criticism is the famous issue of Mary's "school for the blind" and its financing. We already know that in Little House on the Prairie, things said in one chapter change the next. They had said that it was going to be resolved by Adam's father, who even anticipated the plaque. But right off the bat, it turns out that there will be no such funding because Kendall Sr. Died broke... Then, the same thing again: the entire town and the entire Ingalls family to work to fulfill Mary's personal satisfaction of being a teacher, for which Mary need a school.
The normal thing would be for the school to be financed with contributions from the students, or, if this is not possible, with state aid. Otherwise, the need to have that school open is not understood, if it were not simply for Mary's personal and selfish satisfaction of being a teacher at any cost, even inventing a school out of nothing and not bothering that other family members ( in this case, Caroline) have to work extra to fulfill her wish.
The other fact that always moves me to criticism is the famous issue of Mary's "school for the blind" and its financing. We already know that in Little House on the Prairie, things said in one chapter change the next. They had said that it was going to be resolved by Adam's father, who even anticipated the plaque. But right off the bat, it turns out that there will be no such funding because Kendall Sr. Died broke... Then, the same thing again: the entire town and the entire Ingalls family to work to fulfill Mary's personal satisfaction of being a teacher, for which Mary need a school.
The normal thing would be for the school to be financed with contributions from the students, or, if this is not possible, with state aid. Otherwise, the need to have that school open is not understood, if it were not simply for Mary's personal and selfish satisfaction of being a teacher at any cost, even inventing a school out of nothing and not bothering that other family members ( in this case, Caroline) have to work extra to fulfill her wish.
Nellie's Notoriety Ended In This Episode
Camelot_200023 June 2023
Yeah, she along with her mother, had always been the nasty ingredients to this classic show. Nellie seemed to have gotten worse the older she got though. She was constantly angry, resentful and downright insulting. The major damage came when her mother built her a hotel & restaurant that she could own and operate and to possibly use in "finding a man".
That whole business venture was a disaster with Nellie unable to cook and clean and properly maintain that establishment. She also made it honestly clear how much she hated it and hated working there.
Mr. Oleson seriously wanted to shut the place down due to that, pointing out how much money they were losing from lack of customers. Harriet would have none of that though so she resorts to hiring a specialist from the hospitality industry to help remedy things.
I guess you could say Nellie got "tamed" after dealing with Percival Dalton, the man who was sent to assist in getting the place up and running again. It all got off to a rocky start though.
Percival investigated the place and discovered how rude Nellie was to the customers and how she made no attempt to clean the rooms or learn to cook properly. Against Mrs. Oleson's wishes, he suggested the place be renamed "Caroline's" because if Nellie's name stayed on it, "the public would stay away in droves".
He pointed out too how well liked Mrs. Ingalls was and how she knew to cook. He also suggested he could train Nellie to cook in the meantime. The plan went ahead, but Nellie, in her usual style, still felt resentful about everything.
The scene with the bowl of eggs was hilarious with Nellie angrily breaking them into the bowl until Percival dumps the bowl over her head. He then angrily turns to leave, but says first, "Why your Mother ever built this place for you, I'll never know! You certainly can't cook, and you certainly have no right to be dealing with the public. And as pretty as you are, you don't need a restaurant to catch a husband in the first place."
Well, that final outburst triggered off a major change in Nellie. Her nasty, foul attitude magically disappeared and was replaced with a sweet urge to learn to cook. Percival worked wonders on her and he also knew how to control the loud mouth rantings of Harriet, deeply surprising Mr. Oleson who said, "I just don't believe it."
Yeah, the extreme change in Nellie was a pleasing one indeed and so was her budding romance with Percival Dalton. Those are the segments I enjoyed in this particular episode.
I just felt like yawning though whenever scenes with Laura and Almonzo came up and the trouble they had in getting together. There was, of course, the dilemma added to that about (Yawn!) finding another place for the blind school to be relocated to. Some crisis or problems always occur in trying to keep that place stationary. They seemed to have moved around too much.
Anyway, the highlight of this episode was the one about "taming the beast" and I've always enjoyed that. Turning Nellie nice though didn't give her much to do on the show afterwards. She was eventually written out with another spoiled imp to take her place, "Nancy Oleson". Enough said.
That whole business venture was a disaster with Nellie unable to cook and clean and properly maintain that establishment. She also made it honestly clear how much she hated it and hated working there.
Mr. Oleson seriously wanted to shut the place down due to that, pointing out how much money they were losing from lack of customers. Harriet would have none of that though so she resorts to hiring a specialist from the hospitality industry to help remedy things.
I guess you could say Nellie got "tamed" after dealing with Percival Dalton, the man who was sent to assist in getting the place up and running again. It all got off to a rocky start though.
Percival investigated the place and discovered how rude Nellie was to the customers and how she made no attempt to clean the rooms or learn to cook properly. Against Mrs. Oleson's wishes, he suggested the place be renamed "Caroline's" because if Nellie's name stayed on it, "the public would stay away in droves".
He pointed out too how well liked Mrs. Ingalls was and how she knew to cook. He also suggested he could train Nellie to cook in the meantime. The plan went ahead, but Nellie, in her usual style, still felt resentful about everything.
The scene with the bowl of eggs was hilarious with Nellie angrily breaking them into the bowl until Percival dumps the bowl over her head. He then angrily turns to leave, but says first, "Why your Mother ever built this place for you, I'll never know! You certainly can't cook, and you certainly have no right to be dealing with the public. And as pretty as you are, you don't need a restaurant to catch a husband in the first place."
Well, that final outburst triggered off a major change in Nellie. Her nasty, foul attitude magically disappeared and was replaced with a sweet urge to learn to cook. Percival worked wonders on her and he also knew how to control the loud mouth rantings of Harriet, deeply surprising Mr. Oleson who said, "I just don't believe it."
Yeah, the extreme change in Nellie was a pleasing one indeed and so was her budding romance with Percival Dalton. Those are the segments I enjoyed in this particular episode.
I just felt like yawning though whenever scenes with Laura and Almonzo came up and the trouble they had in getting together. There was, of course, the dilemma added to that about (Yawn!) finding another place for the blind school to be relocated to. Some crisis or problems always occur in trying to keep that place stationary. They seemed to have moved around too much.
Anyway, the highlight of this episode was the one about "taming the beast" and I've always enjoyed that. Turning Nellie nice though didn't give her much to do on the show afterwards. She was eventually written out with another spoiled imp to take her place, "Nancy Oleson". Enough said.
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