It seems young Peter Lundstrom has been expelled from school for cheating and stealing. Who is Peter Lundstrom, you ask? The son of Olaf Lundstrom whose cousin is Nels Oleson. Never heard of them? You have now. Anyway, was Peter sorry for his wrongdoings? Uh-uh. Was his father angry about his expulsion? Not so much. His late wife chose the school way back when and Olaf thought little of it, so now it was time to instill a sense of values, workmanship and responsibility into his insurgent son, despite the vehement protests of his mother in-law. Peter would be sent to Walnut Grove, Minnesota to become Nels and Harriet's latest burden. Right away Peter had doubts about his new temporary home, especially when Willie introduced him to the outhouse. The next day following church services, some of the local boys initiated Peter into the community by smearing mud all over him...hey, love thy neighbor, boys, no matter how weird he acts! Peter was a real problem child, and sadly, Nels and Harriet didn't know how to properly handle him, even though they've got two problem children of their own. Peter was feeling homesick and the thought of his father possibly not wanting him around ate away at him. Well, sir, the straw that broke the camel's back was when Peter smashed the windows of the mercantile in a fit of rage. Nels was all but ready to give up the ship when Charles stepped in and offered to put Peter to work in the field for a few weeks. Does Charles have what it takes to break this brat? I'm sure he's up to the challenge.
Peter soon found out that Charles Ingalls meant business. Right away, he made for him to sleep in the barn loft and put him to work helping him haul and cut branches. His blistered hands at the end of the day showed Peter what hard work really is. Charles even taught him how to swim by way of picking him up and throwing him into the lake. He learned pretty quick. Yep, it seems Charles formed a bond with this kid, he's like the son he never had. After some time had passed, Peter had more than paid what he owed to Nels for breaking his window, with a little change left over. Things were going great, until one afternoon Olaf came out to see his boy. Peter tried to show him he learned how to swim, but his father paid it no mind, disheartening the boy. Olaf hadn't the faintest idea what was wrong with him, but it seems he doesn't know his son much at all. Charles had deduced that Peter's bad behavior was his way of crying out for his father's attention. Well, sir, Olaf and Peter had a little heart-to-heart in the loft. Seems they were close and yet so far apart. No more. Things from here on out would be different between them. And to celebrate, they went swimming.
Another very endearing episode. Written, directed and acted to perfection by Michael Landon. Also great were Nehemiah Persoff as Olaf and young Michael Sharrett as Peter. What I liked most about this episode was how Charles dealt with Peter from the start. He didn't take any B.S. from him. He told him straight out that if he didn't do as he was told, he was going to get his ass kicked. I think they should make reality shows like THIS. Have a bratty kid who hates you and won't obey you? Send'em to Charles Ingalls, or a reasonable facsimile, to give the little pain in the ass a pain in the ass. Learn him some good old school values. It's too bad we don't have more people like that anymore; seeing the bond form between Charles and Peter was very believable. It wasn't forced or inconsistent, so this is one all Little House fans or just all people in general should check out.
Peter soon found out that Charles Ingalls meant business. Right away, he made for him to sleep in the barn loft and put him to work helping him haul and cut branches. His blistered hands at the end of the day showed Peter what hard work really is. Charles even taught him how to swim by way of picking him up and throwing him into the lake. He learned pretty quick. Yep, it seems Charles formed a bond with this kid, he's like the son he never had. After some time had passed, Peter had more than paid what he owed to Nels for breaking his window, with a little change left over. Things were going great, until one afternoon Olaf came out to see his boy. Peter tried to show him he learned how to swim, but his father paid it no mind, disheartening the boy. Olaf hadn't the faintest idea what was wrong with him, but it seems he doesn't know his son much at all. Charles had deduced that Peter's bad behavior was his way of crying out for his father's attention. Well, sir, Olaf and Peter had a little heart-to-heart in the loft. Seems they were close and yet so far apart. No more. Things from here on out would be different between them. And to celebrate, they went swimming.
Another very endearing episode. Written, directed and acted to perfection by Michael Landon. Also great were Nehemiah Persoff as Olaf and young Michael Sharrett as Peter. What I liked most about this episode was how Charles dealt with Peter from the start. He didn't take any B.S. from him. He told him straight out that if he didn't do as he was told, he was going to get his ass kicked. I think they should make reality shows like THIS. Have a bratty kid who hates you and won't obey you? Send'em to Charles Ingalls, or a reasonable facsimile, to give the little pain in the ass a pain in the ass. Learn him some good old school values. It's too bad we don't have more people like that anymore; seeing the bond form between Charles and Peter was very believable. It wasn't forced or inconsistent, so this is one all Little House fans or just all people in general should check out.
