"Little House on the Prairie" Sylvia (Part Two) (TV Episode 1981) Poster

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8/10
Beautiful, striking, and disturbing.
Rockershowone6607 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I just got done watching both parts of this episode tonight and felt extremely moved after. I saw it for the first time ever about six years ago and felt about the same way then, but this time it was different because I learned something I hadn't known before. Now when I saw it for the first time I found it very compelling to depict how those under the adult stage of life can have such a powerful bond and close relationship that most people think only adults are capable of. As Albert and Sylvia first orient themselves with each other as classmates they realize their differences and how their families aren't the same and don't get along excellently but deep down know that these issues don't have to get in the way of anything they set if they try hard enough not to let them interfere. From the beginning to the end these things become more and more evident and when Sylvia is raped and impregnated, Albert although at first doesn't realize Sylvia had not had made love to anyone else intentionally, eventually comes to see that he was wrong and that he had been foolish for not giving himself a chance to question the situation (like what happened between Jack and Rose in Titanic 1997). What I didn't know until tonight though was that at the end of the episode Sylvia dies as was stated by the previous reviewer. This of course makes it obvious why the further lives of these two with each other is never seen after this two-part episode and Sylvia never again surfaces in the series. I felt horrible about this, but I still find it to be one of the most moving episodes of the series and think that it should serve as an example to everyone both then and now of what young people can do despite their ages and what older people must consider. At the end though which is still very heart wrenching it's good to know that she died peacefully and in the company of the love of her life after he gives her a final kiss (her last words were "kiss me my love"). I also feel good to have grown up in the era when this was produced even though I didn't see it till I was an adult. I found out that Olivia Barash who plays Sylvia was in many other wonderful and captivating movies and TV shows as a young actress.
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8/10
Mortal Wounds Run Deep...
ExplorerDS678924 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Previously on Little House, 15-year-old Sylvia Webb was mistreated daily by her father, got brutally raped one afternoon and subsequently got pregnant, now Hector was preparing to move he and Sylvia out of Walnut Grove and away from all folks they knew who might do'em harm; Albert was now finding himself looked down upon at school. Why? Willie Oleson spread some rumors regarding him and Sylvia, and his whale of a mother listened in on the telephone, so several of Walnut Grove's citizens (all 10 of them) now know. So after giving the little bastard Willie another bloody nose, Albert ran home. His parents knew of his predicament, so Caroline decided to step in and handle it the Ingalls way, and by the time she was done, Harriet was really in the dough; Albert and Sylvia see each other in secret, as her rotten father was in the process of selling the farm. The town's kindly blacksmith, Irv Hartwig, was giving it a look over. Determined to prevent Sylvia from having to leave and live the rest of her life in shame, Albert proposed a plan: get a job, save up enough money, run away with Sylvia and marry her. Even though it's all easier said than done, Albert was confident he could swing it, and to his good fortune, he was able to procure work for Mr. Hartwig. Next, Albert told his Ma and Pa of his plan, or rather it just slipped out. As you might expect, they were none too crazy about the idea.

Before going crazy in front of everybody, Charles sent Carrie to her room...like she won't be able to hear them talking from 20 feet away? So while Charles fell apart, Caroline took the calmer approach by explaining the intricacies of love and marriage and how they're both very different things. This warm, fuzzy moment was interrupted when a livid Hector Webb burst in toting a double barrel shotgun. Charles lunges at him and the two get to mud wrestling out in the rain, but fortunately Albert found the courage to tell Hector he was NOT the father of the baby and he swore it to God. See, back then, when you would swear to God, it was much more serious. So once the men all came to their senses, they went out to search for Sylvia who had run away from home, and honestly, could you blame her? Albert found her in an abandoned barn, cold and hungry. This was probably as good a chance as any to carry out his plan, so Albert raced back to town to see Hartwig for an advance on his salary. He ended up having to tell him his predicament, and he reluctantly agreed to help them. Albert went home to get his things and write a note to Ma and Pa, but when he came back, Hartwig was gone. Meanwhile out at the Atkins' barn, Sylvia had fallen asleep. Unbeknownst that she was being stalked by a monster, creeping right up on her. Waking up to her attacker, she fought him off and ran, knocking his clown mask off to reveal...Irv Hartwig! Who'd a thought? Sylvia climbed a tall ladder to escape, but lost her footing and fell off. Hartwig closed in on her when Charles and Hector showed up, the latter managing to fire off a shot, killing Hartwig. But what about Sylvia? Apparently her father finally owned up and gave his blessing to her and Albert wanting to marry. So, Albert spells out his plan once more, they share a gentle kiss and then...Sylvia was gone. Yep, she's dead. But really, what else were you expecting?

And so concludes probably the most tragic episode in Little House's history. But you gotta give Michael Landon credit for willing to go this distance. Depicting a child getting raped, then getting pregnant by it, and now dying. That's quite a toll. I'd say Landon pulled it off nicely. Once again, Royal Dano shines as Sylvia's creepy father who was a serious mental case. Richard Jaeckel played the monster who so traumatized that poor girl, and did a pretty good job of it. While Olivia Barash was a cute kid, she was not very convincing in the acting department. This tells me Landon cast her for her looks. But regardless, Albert and Sylvia made a very cute couple. Seeing them kiss at the end before Sylvia dies was so touching and quite tragic. So if you can take it, watch the dramatic saga of Sylvia, a girl who, if only for a short time, found happiness in her cruel, unforgiving life.
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9/10
Sad Episode With Mystery in Spots
audio_until4 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I may edit this review as I think of other things to say. I won't elaborate for now at length of all the specifics of this heart-wrenching episode.

However, I would like to point out something in the goings on in the search for poor Sylvia hiding out at the Old Atkins Place:

When Albert is in the process of trying to obtain money for he and Sylvia to travel away with, and Hartwig the rapist catches him in the process, after Albert tells him his plans, what does Hartwig offer to do?

He tells Albert he will feed and water Albert's horse and put another one with it for Sylvia to travel on. This actually of course lengthens the time Albert took (15 minutes prior to Charles and Hector's asking Mrs. Oleson of Albert's whereabouts) to get home to get the supplies and leave the note. While it gives the rapist both time (and perhaps the means - Albert's horse - since when Albert came back to the blacksmith place, the horse was nowhere around!) to get to the old Atkins' place to attempt a second attack on poor dear Sylvia.

Just my two cents and take on the episode since most have given more details on this sad story.

It is indeed a very heartbreaking tale, and when I first watched it when I was about 17, I was very very sorry that Sylvia had died which made me feel very intensely emotional since at the time there was a death in my family also.
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10/10
Sad ending
mitchrmp21 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The second part of this episode is even sadder than the first. Albert wants to marry Sylvia, but his parents are dead-set against it. He tells everyone that what Willie says is true - he is the baby's father. Those that matter don't really believe him. Mrs. Oleson is her own snippy self.

There is a heated scene between Charles and Caroline with Albert as he announces that at fourteen, he wants to get married. First Charles, than Caroline try to talk some sense into him. I think Caroline actually does a great job in explaining the reason why he cannot get married.

I won't ruin the ending, so I won't go into much detail. Though I think it's pretty obvious who the bad guy is, I can't say for sure since I've always watched this show...

It does end in a true western-style with a killing in the end. Royal Dano and Michael Landon together is just classic and special! It really brings the magic back from the 1950's/1960's!

By the way, I don't care what sort of reformation Royal Dano's character had in the rain storm, I still don't like the man...I thought he was a jerk - especially when he called his daughter a whore!
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10/10
Dark and Sad Ending to this Gripping Two-Parter!
spasek23 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As I stated in Part One's review, I was only 10 when this episode originally aired. And I remember hoping that things would end on a positive note. Alas, that wasn't to be, and I recall being really sad about the fate of Sylvia Webb. I even recall asking my parents, "Did she die?" I couldn't believe it.

Albert discovers the truth about Sylvia's pregnancy, and despite not fully understanding the practical magnitude, his heart is in the right place. He loves her, and he only wants to take care of her. However, two major obstacles stand in his way: Sylvia's father, and the truth about who raped Sylvia.

I've seen Royal Dano (Mr. Webb) in a number of TV series, and he's always been a fabulous character actor. Here, he gives us a distraught and very angry Mr. Webb, who believes Sylvia brought "this shame" upon herself, not fully understanding what happened to her. It had always been inconceivable that a parent should think of their child in this manner. However, given what happened to Sylvia's mother, it is plausible that someone like Mr. Webb would harbor tremendous anger, resentment, and puritanical notions about women that would, unfortunately, carry over to his own daughter.

Mrs. Oleson is up to her own viciousness as she tells everyone who will listen that Albert is the father of Sylvia's child. One of my all-time favorite LHOP moments is what Caroline finally does to her! Priceless.

This is a gripping and yet harrowing story of a young teenage girl attempting to deal with a traumatic event all alone. While she does have Albert, even he can't possibly know or understand the ordeal she went through.

And, yes, the heartbreaking ending is done in such a way that one can only think of the "what might have happened" had someone had helped and listened to Sylvia, namely, her own father. I often wonder what must have been going through Mr. Webb's mind to see the result of his lack of compassion, understanding, and love. Alas, he must live out the rest of his days alone, haunted by what might have been had he chosen to respond as a true, loving father.

I also had wished to see how the implications of Sylvia's death might have affected Albert. I really wanted to see this carry over into the next episode or two. However, these were the days of episodic storylines, but I still can't help but wish that they would have carried it forward a bit. After all, for me, this was one of the most compelling storylines in LHOP for it left an indelible mark upon my heart that has never been forgotten.
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8/10
Senseless Tragedies
drexmaverick14 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This poor girl had a fool for a father and Albert had gone thru so much loss before he was even 15 and living with the guilt of other's suffering. Him and Mary were like the characters with big targets on their backs for the universe to hate. I believe that kind of hardship can bring the unhealthy stress to a person's body that could cause things like a later illness in Albert. Where he apparently didn't die as I remembered incorrectly ...

This is an episode where Harriet Olsen should have been seriously reprimanded and put in her place by a lot of people! I mean right after Laura humbled herself and defended Mrs Olsen, the woman pulls this stunt ...
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10/10
Really great episode
ldysheba22 March 2021
I just wished they'd followed-up on the ending. Michael Landon was simply gifted and so were the writers.
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8/10
Rape, Murder and Child Abuse
annykins-265427 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
OMG what the heck show did I just watch? Charles said 'Hitch up the team' and then spent the rest of the whole episode on horseback instead like it was Bonanza missing the painted pinto pony. Sappy soap opera violins surrounding Albert's first kiss since his voice changed. Bad dad chasing abused daughter to an abandoned barn with a loaded shotgun. The closeup of Mrs Oleson's teeth was just too much to bear. The town should have had a petition to remove the telephone switchboard from the vindictive town gossip who wielded her tongue as an weapon of mass destruction. Sure we all know horrendous things did happen back on the prairie, but for years now this show has been a warm welcome escape from brutal realities. This episode however was cruel, dark and beyond depressing. Decent acting but badly desperate attempt to garner an Emmy for social topic. Boo hiss!
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9/10
This chapter is the most dramatic of the series and the one with the most tragic ending.
drfernandogil7 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This chapter is the most dramatic of the series and the one with the most tragic ending. I begin by highlighting that it has been excellently performed by everyone, especially by the young Mathew Laborteaux (Albert), who is without a doubt one of the best child actors of all time. , and Olivia Barash (Sylvia), who I regret did not have more performances in the series given the tragic ending that was chosen for her. Its argument is quite daring for what the series is and the time in which it was filmed, since rape is a more than delicate topic for a family schedule, and above all, the psychological analysis of how a subjected woman should be clinically treated. To such a traumatic trance. However, it is plotted quite well, with very well-characterized characters and the horrible Mr. Irtvig who turns out to be the rapist wearing a clown mask.

What I regret is that it was chosen to end the double chapter with the death of Silvia. It would have been very good to closely follow his social reintegration after the bitter ordeal. But it is clear that we could no longer count on the effective Olivia Barash, who earned a 10 for her performance.

I have to point out one little credible detail. The raping blacksmith allows Albert to "take" (Albert once again was willing to steal) some money, apparently with the sole purpose of allowing him to go home to look for his things and have time to go to the farm where he lives. Silvia was hiding, in order to carry out a second attack. Although we know that the minds of rapists are not at all organized and the mere fact of their inclination towards this activity already implies poor mental functioning, it is a temporary maneuver that is too risky, since they know perfectly well that in a very short time Albert will go through his beloved Silvia, meaning that he had very little time to carry out his disastrous plan. And luckily, not only Albert, but Silvia's father and Charles arrived quickly, and Mr. Webb took justice into his own hands by killing the rapist with a shot in the back. But unfortunately, in her attempt to escape, Silvia climbed a ladder that was about to collapse, and when she was at the top, she fell to the floor, causing her death. Very sad ending.

I was impressed by the resignation and little hope with which Charles said "I'm going to get the doctor" when he saw Silvia on the floor after the fall. It is assumed that he must have run out to fetch him, if there was any hope of survival. The camla with which Charles said "I'm going to get the doctor" is a sign that it was a useless resource.

Great chapter, and the most tragic. There are many deaths in The Ingalls Family, but they are generally the product of illness and gradual arrival. Rarely does a protagonist die like this, suddenly, in an accident. Yes, I know, James and Cassandra's biological parents died in an accident when the stagecoach fell, but they were not central characters in the play. Silvia could well have been Albert's wife, in other circumstances.-
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5/10
Bad ending
gregorycanfield2 February 2022
This episode ends on a morbid, distasteful note. My rating would have been much higher, otherwise. When the identity of the rapist was revealed, it came as no surprise. I had already guessed who it was, in part 1. The evolving relationship between Albert and Sylvia, in contrast to all the turmoil surrounding them, was nice to watch. You got the feeling that things just might have worked out for them, but no. At the end, Sylvia (again) tells Albert that she loves him. And then? I'm not even going to say it! Bad way to wrap things up. The ending does, however, give some insight into what might have led to Albert's later addiction to morphine.
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2/10
More Strange Than Sad . . . .
sundayatdusk-9785929 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There was something disturbing about this story, especially this second part, and not just because it was about a young girl who was raped. Sylvia ends up pregnant from the attack, and her father just sees that as more disgrace for the family. He even calls her a dirty name since she was raped and pregnant.

Although Laura and Doc Baker show concern for her, no one else does but Albert. Everyone in the town knows this motherless young teenager is pregnant, thanks to nosy Mrs. Oleson, but not one woman goes out to her father's farm to try to help or comfort her. Real life back then? Maybe, but that wasn't how things usually were in fictional Walnut Grove.

What takes the cake, though, is towards the end when Charles is hugging, embracing and comforting Sylvia's cruel father! Not one adult in the show hugs, embraces or comforts Sylvia. Even after she takes a terrible fall off a ladder; where her father, Albert and Charles are present; no one goes up to her and touches her. I thought she was dead! Albert just stands by her crying, Charles just looks down at her and says he'll go get doc Baker, and her father doesn't get anywhere near her.

The end is even worst. She does die from the fall. Yes, no salvation for poor Sylvia and the baby. Instead, Michael Landon milks this Romeo and Juliet type story for every tear he can get when he has the dying Sylvia and Albert kissing goodbye. I guess at that time Charles was in the other room, hugging, holding and comforting her father. There was something seriously strange about this 2-part episode . . . .
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1/10
Dark Ending
michellemaxwell-1001011 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Sylvia's father has sold the farm to blacksmith Mr. Hartwig. Mrs. Oleson had listened in on the private phone call between Dr. Baker and Mr. Webb and started spreading rumors1 that Albert got Sylvia pregnant. Albert shocks his parent awws by announcing he is going to marry Sylvia and raise the baby as his own. Albert stops by the Webb home and accidentally leaves his hat behind. Mr. Webb sees it and grabs his rifle to confront Albert and asks Sylvia what he was doing there. She said he was there a couple minutes and left. He doesn't believe her and calls her a horrible name. Sylvia takes off. Mr. Webb shows up at the Ingalls home and asks where Sylvia is. Charles demands he leaves. Mr. Webb says not until he gets the truth. Albert tells him he didn't get Sylvia pregnant. Albert, Charles and Mr. Webb goes looking for Sylvia. Albert finds her in an old barn and makes plans for them to run away. Sylvia's rapist shows up and is about to attack her again. She climbs a latter to get away from him. She falls and lands on her back. The rapist is revealed as Mr. Hartwig, the blacksmith. Dr. Baker let's Albert know Sylvia wants to see him. He tells her that her father agreed to let her marry him. She tells him her wedding dream, but sadly dies after asking Albert to kiss her.
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