Everybody needs somebody, and some have a stronger desire than others. Those we least suspect can in deed be lonely individuals longing for companionship. Enter Anna Craig, a lonely widow who volunteers her services at the blind school. Every Sunday when the Ingallses give her a ride home, she always wants them to come in and see her new slides of the Grand Canyon, but alas they're too busy. She just hoped and preyed for somebody to be with her, but little did Anna know that soon she would meet the very person to rock her world: Reverend Alden. See, he too was lonely, despite having his congregation of people who care about him and for whom he cares. It all began when Anna invited the good reverend home for supper where she really lays it on him and admits she loves him...and scares the poor old man away. As if that weren't bad enough, one of Reverend Alden's parishioners, Jeremy Tyler, who had all but given up on life despite the reverend's reassurance, was now at death's door. After a short talk, Mr. Tyler passed away, then Alden stopped by at Nellie's restaurant where he ran into Anna. He apologized for the way he acted. Nobody ever told him they loved him before so he was at a loss for words. Poor Reverend Alden. But it seems, he's interested in her and a friendship quickly blossoms. Naturally one member of the Walnut Grove community just hates this: Harriett "Foot in the Mouth" Oleson.
No doubt about it, Reverend Alden was in love and all ready to pop the question. He had his doubts, being a preacher and all, but beneath the black jacket and white collar, a preacher is a man, and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. But, leave it to Harriett to intervene. She threatened to tell the reverend's superiors and have him excommunicated if Anna didn't break it off, so sadly, she had to give him the brush off. But, one near-death experience later, they reconcile and are together again, and soon they would be married. Charles Ingalls would be pronouncing them husband and wife...even though he isn't an ordained minister. Well, leave it to Harriett to spoil this union as she calls upon Dean Russell Harmon from the General Synog to investigate. Seeing as how he and Alden are good buddies, Russell would try to sway Mrs. Oleson. If unsuccessful, Alden may have to face giving up the priesthood to be with Anna. Now, strange as it may seem, Russell and Harriett have a bit of history. In fact, they were once engaged, but Russell had broken it all off. At the time, he thought it was the right thing to do. So this explains why Harriett was so upset over Reverend Alden and Anna being in love. Yeah, she's taking it all out on him over what Russell did. She was still very hurt, but she found it within herself to be humble, apologize to Reverend Alden, and drop her slanderous charges. And in the end, Anna Craig became Mrs. Robert Alden (Watch for some foreshadowing towards the end when Laura catches the bouquet), and they lived happily ever after...or so we can assume since, in true Little House fashion, Anna is never seen or heard from again. I guess we assume she passed away some time after.
Great episode and a great character builder for Reverend Alden. Dabbs Greer really shined in his performance, and really shows the depths of his character. Iris Korn was just splendid as Widow Craig, William Schallert was great as Alden's supporter, and Katherine MacGregor was fantastic as the bitchy Harriett, and we even see a new side to her in this episode. Well, if you like Reverend Alden and want to know what he does when he's not giving sermons, I recommend you check out "The Preacher Takes a Wife." It's a very moving experience. But for God sake, WHY do they keep creating characters who are said to stay in Walnut Grove but then are never seen or heard from again? Anna in this episode, Elmer in "For the Love of Nancy", Lou Bates in "Little Lou". I mean, what the hell? Pardon the expression. I guess they're there somewhere, but the story just doesn't center around them? Who knows?
No doubt about it, Reverend Alden was in love and all ready to pop the question. He had his doubts, being a preacher and all, but beneath the black jacket and white collar, a preacher is a man, and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. But, leave it to Harriett to intervene. She threatened to tell the reverend's superiors and have him excommunicated if Anna didn't break it off, so sadly, she had to give him the brush off. But, one near-death experience later, they reconcile and are together again, and soon they would be married. Charles Ingalls would be pronouncing them husband and wife...even though he isn't an ordained minister. Well, leave it to Harriett to spoil this union as she calls upon Dean Russell Harmon from the General Synog to investigate. Seeing as how he and Alden are good buddies, Russell would try to sway Mrs. Oleson. If unsuccessful, Alden may have to face giving up the priesthood to be with Anna. Now, strange as it may seem, Russell and Harriett have a bit of history. In fact, they were once engaged, but Russell had broken it all off. At the time, he thought it was the right thing to do. So this explains why Harriett was so upset over Reverend Alden and Anna being in love. Yeah, she's taking it all out on him over what Russell did. She was still very hurt, but she found it within herself to be humble, apologize to Reverend Alden, and drop her slanderous charges. And in the end, Anna Craig became Mrs. Robert Alden (Watch for some foreshadowing towards the end when Laura catches the bouquet), and they lived happily ever after...or so we can assume since, in true Little House fashion, Anna is never seen or heard from again. I guess we assume she passed away some time after.
Great episode and a great character builder for Reverend Alden. Dabbs Greer really shined in his performance, and really shows the depths of his character. Iris Korn was just splendid as Widow Craig, William Schallert was great as Alden's supporter, and Katherine MacGregor was fantastic as the bitchy Harriett, and we even see a new side to her in this episode. Well, if you like Reverend Alden and want to know what he does when he's not giving sermons, I recommend you check out "The Preacher Takes a Wife." It's a very moving experience. But for God sake, WHY do they keep creating characters who are said to stay in Walnut Grove but then are never seen or heard from again? Anna in this episode, Elmer in "For the Love of Nancy", Lou Bates in "Little Lou". I mean, what the hell? Pardon the expression. I guess they're there somewhere, but the story just doesn't center around them? Who knows?
