This is a unique one among the Little House. I remember it being a bit scary and troubling to me as a child. Melissa Sue's acting was quite good, but as any Little House fan will tell you, she was always a bit over the top. This episode had a story which allowed her to play it up even more. Miss Peel was like a mash up of Ms. Gulch from Wizard of Oz and a character you would expect to see in the movie Deliverance. The actress (Anita Dangler) portraying Miss Peel certainly could act however. There are long stretches in this episode where there is no background music, which is odd given how most LH episodes have an impactful music score that really creates a mood. Overall this episode has a way of making the viewer feel uncomfortable, for example due to the way Mary is verbally abused by the townsfolk...she certainly never experienced anything like that from her Pa! Overall, one of the better episodes from the series.
8 Reviews
I remember watching this episode as a child...
characters-132-66377511 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Mary's Got Her Work Cut Out For Her!
ExplorerDS678910 April 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Mary has been offered a teaching job, at Reverend Alden's behest. It's in a school located in a small community smack dab in the middle of nowhere, standoffish people, little resources and a crazy woman who managed to chase the last teacher away. Regardless, Mary wanted the job. If she could make it there, she could make it anywhere. Alden and Mary left first thing the next morning, and when they arrived, her new students stared at her like she were from another planet. She met her boarder, an old man named Caleb who didn't care one way or another. So Reverend Alden wished Mary good luck, as she was sure going to need it, and left. The classroom seemed adequate enough. It had a desk, chairs, a blackboard and...well, that was about it. She also met the talk of the town, Miss Rachel Peel. How do I describe Miss Peel? Imagine Harriet Oleson if she were not quirky, not funny, very religious and more aggressive. She's Harriet times ten. It's not too late to turn back, Mary. So after work, Mary was taken to her home with the Fishers, who were about as lifeless as everyone else in the town. So the next day, after learning that Miss Peel is also an arsonist, Mary began her second day of teaching the Children of the Corn. She met a smart-ass named Joshua Bond who interfered with her lesson plan, and later, Caleb gave her hell over it and called her story about the telephone a lie. She told him off and he just stood there in disbelief.
As if soulless and lifeless weren't enough to describe these people, they're all superstitious. Mary found a rooster tied up near the house and set it free, but according to Caleb, a tied up rooster meant good luck, so of course he flipped out. On the plus side, Joshua learned to behave himself so he was allowed to stay at school. But then he tried to hit on Mary, and Miss Peel saw, saying they were both doomed to eternal damnation. Finally, as if we haven't met enough delightful people in this town, Joshua's father Jacob came over to confront Mary, and he's about as crazy as Miss Peel. Mary ran home in tears, and I don't blame her one damn bit. She felt like a failure, and worst of all, Miss Peel had been spreading false rumors about Mary and since the small-minded people in those parts believe her to be a soothsayer/witch, they listened. Mary intended to prove her wrong, so she decided to drop in on Miss Peel during one of her Sunday services. Charles came along for moral support. So as Miss Peel prepared to deliver the gospel un-truth, Mary and Charles burst in. Miss Ingalls began reciting the Ten Commandments, most of which seemed foreign to Peel. You know, it almost seems as if Miss Peel never even read the Bible. Guess what? She didn't. Mary screamed at her to read, but she couldn't. She was illiterate, and because of this, she hated books and wanted the school closed. Miss Peel held the Bible over her head, as if trying to cast some spell or bring down the lightning, but none came and she looked quite the fool. Next she made Joshua confess to his misdeed that started all this "jezebel" talk. The community slowly began to realize that Miss Peel was no soothsayer or nothing, just a raving lunatic. They all sang the praises of Jesus Christ, and Mary extended a hand to Miss Peel, and so all was well. I imagine Mary stayed on a little longer as teacher and then got the hell outta there. Miss Peel probably wound up in a mental institution, along with the mother from "My Ellen." Finally, Ellen Fisher probably wised up and left her abusive husband, so they all lived happily ever after.
While this one may be difficult to watch for the first half, it was still very well done. Melissa Sue Anderson was outstanding, as always. Anita Dangler was great as Miss Peel, and what a character she was. Those eyes of hers borough into your soul. John McLiam was good as Caleb Fisher, a real stick-in-the-mud who still lived in the 18th century. Now I've seen edits of this episode online, where someone takes the footage of Mary yelling at Miss Peel and puts it opposite Anna from "The Music Box" trying to read, it really makes Mary look like a horrible person. So if you like Mary, you like stories about characters out of their element, Whisper Country is one to see.
As if soulless and lifeless weren't enough to describe these people, they're all superstitious. Mary found a rooster tied up near the house and set it free, but according to Caleb, a tied up rooster meant good luck, so of course he flipped out. On the plus side, Joshua learned to behave himself so he was allowed to stay at school. But then he tried to hit on Mary, and Miss Peel saw, saying they were both doomed to eternal damnation. Finally, as if we haven't met enough delightful people in this town, Joshua's father Jacob came over to confront Mary, and he's about as crazy as Miss Peel. Mary ran home in tears, and I don't blame her one damn bit. She felt like a failure, and worst of all, Miss Peel had been spreading false rumors about Mary and since the small-minded people in those parts believe her to be a soothsayer/witch, they listened. Mary intended to prove her wrong, so she decided to drop in on Miss Peel during one of her Sunday services. Charles came along for moral support. So as Miss Peel prepared to deliver the gospel un-truth, Mary and Charles burst in. Miss Ingalls began reciting the Ten Commandments, most of which seemed foreign to Peel. You know, it almost seems as if Miss Peel never even read the Bible. Guess what? She didn't. Mary screamed at her to read, but she couldn't. She was illiterate, and because of this, she hated books and wanted the school closed. Miss Peel held the Bible over her head, as if trying to cast some spell or bring down the lightning, but none came and she looked quite the fool. Next she made Joshua confess to his misdeed that started all this "jezebel" talk. The community slowly began to realize that Miss Peel was no soothsayer or nothing, just a raving lunatic. They all sang the praises of Jesus Christ, and Mary extended a hand to Miss Peel, and so all was well. I imagine Mary stayed on a little longer as teacher and then got the hell outta there. Miss Peel probably wound up in a mental institution, along with the mother from "My Ellen." Finally, Ellen Fisher probably wised up and left her abusive husband, so they all lived happily ever after.
While this one may be difficult to watch for the first half, it was still very well done. Melissa Sue Anderson was outstanding, as always. Anita Dangler was great as Miss Peel, and what a character she was. Those eyes of hers borough into your soul. John McLiam was good as Caleb Fisher, a real stick-in-the-mud who still lived in the 18th century. Now I've seen edits of this episode online, where someone takes the footage of Mary yelling at Miss Peel and puts it opposite Anna from "The Music Box" trying to read, it really makes Mary look like a horrible person. So if you like Mary, you like stories about characters out of their element, Whisper Country is one to see.
Miss Ingalls
mitchrmp13 July 2013
We've finally met that point in the story where Mary is a teacher. Though it doesn't seem she ever received her teaching certificate - something Laura had to have in order to teach - Mary is able to go to a strange town with strange beliefs and teach. Why such a greenhorn, young teacher was chosen for such a tough job I don't understand. In my opinion, they would have looked for at least a man or an older, more experienced woman...I don't think the Ingalls' would have allowed Mary to go into such a place - especially after learning how difficult a task it was going to be.
Miss Peel was a real peace of work. That's another problem I had with this episode. I just don't think one little speech could turn her around so well. She was on the verge of practicing witchcraft, so i doubt she would just simply give everything she believed up after a fifteen year old gave a fiery come-to-Jesus speech...Still, this is a turning point in Mary's character.
Miss Peel was a real peace of work. That's another problem I had with this episode. I just don't think one little speech could turn her around so well. She was on the verge of practicing witchcraft, so i doubt she would just simply give everything she believed up after a fifteen year old gave a fiery come-to-Jesus speech...Still, this is a turning point in Mary's character.
Kickin' Hallelujah Episode
richard.fuller11 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The gist.
Mary Ingalls, at this moment quite able to see, goes to teach in a backwoods, uneducated community where she finds subdued farmfolk suspicious of education.
Her biggest challenge is Miss Peel, outstandingly played by Anita Dangler, a respected woman of the community who objects to Mary's presence.
Mary has a sponsor family with a father who isn't even sure who is president of the USA.
Mary is endlessly tolerant, until she is attempting to help a young farm lad with his studies who (in his own words) 'tries to steal a kiss and she slapped my face'.
This incident is observed by Miss Peel who orders the boy home, then threatens Mary, calling her a Jezebel.
The boy is stricken with an illness, Mary is blamed and her classroom stands empty.
Sunday is church and Miss Peel is delivering her sermon and Mary, shaken but undaunted and joined by her father, Charles (Michael Landon), attend for the services and the confrontation.
SHOWDOWN! Dangler and Melissa Sue Anderson carry the scene, with horrified and meek farm people, from a suspicious father, a friendly daughter and an all-knowing mother, as well as the teen-aged victim-culprit and his father and Charles in the doorway all looking on.
Miss Peel delivers the fiery stance, but Mary quotes scripture unblinking, showing her knowledge outweighs the pillar of the community.
Dangler holds the character's stubbornness even after she is shown up with a gradual acceptance.
School resumed on Monday.
Mary Ingalls, at this moment quite able to see, goes to teach in a backwoods, uneducated community where she finds subdued farmfolk suspicious of education.
Her biggest challenge is Miss Peel, outstandingly played by Anita Dangler, a respected woman of the community who objects to Mary's presence.
Mary has a sponsor family with a father who isn't even sure who is president of the USA.
Mary is endlessly tolerant, until she is attempting to help a young farm lad with his studies who (in his own words) 'tries to steal a kiss and she slapped my face'.
This incident is observed by Miss Peel who orders the boy home, then threatens Mary, calling her a Jezebel.
The boy is stricken with an illness, Mary is blamed and her classroom stands empty.
Sunday is church and Miss Peel is delivering her sermon and Mary, shaken but undaunted and joined by her father, Charles (Michael Landon), attend for the services and the confrontation.
SHOWDOWN! Dangler and Melissa Sue Anderson carry the scene, with horrified and meek farm people, from a suspicious father, a friendly daughter and an all-knowing mother, as well as the teen-aged victim-culprit and his father and Charles in the doorway all looking on.
Miss Peel delivers the fiery stance, but Mary quotes scripture unblinking, showing her knowledge outweighs the pillar of the community.
Dangler holds the character's stubbornness even after she is shown up with a gradual acceptance.
School resumed on Monday.
Ciphering
rdh-3610724 January 2021
I love this episode. Ms. Peel is hilarious. I do agree with FlushingCap? in that I don't Iunderstand why the man Mary was staying with didn't like her dress. I watched this episode many of times and I am still trying to find the inappropriateness of her dress.
The only other confusing thing is why no one else knew how to read the Bible. They were well versed in song but not Bible scriptures. Even with Rev. Alden coming once a month they should have know that Ms. Peel's versions of the Ten Commandments were wrong.
The only other confusing thing is why no one else knew how to read the Bible. They were well versed in song but not Bible scriptures. Even with Rev. Alden coming once a month they should have know that Ms. Peel's versions of the Ten Commandments were wrong.
Soild Performance
jimdavidson-693193 August 2017
I had forgotten that Little House had great story-lines and acting. This is an engaging episode from a very strong season.
It's amusing that Mary's suitcase was identical to the suitcase used by other townsfolk in earlier episodes. Perhaps Mrs. Oleson got a good deal from her supplier.
It's amusing that Mary's suitcase was identical to the suitcase used by other townsfolk in earlier episodes. Perhaps Mrs. Oleson got a good deal from her supplier.
A very scary episode
seve0729 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
At the beginning of the episode Mary is offered a position as a teacher in a little community and she is joyful with the idea of teaching but when Rev Alden drives her to the village she is bewildered by the children who all seem to be frightened and cannot speak.She soon discovers that the chief of the community Miss Peel is the reason of their terror but she hasn't seen everything yet.When she comes home with Katie an adorable brunette she will realize that Katie's father is very antipathetic and criticizes her on her new dress considered not proper for dinner and her conversations that he will blame. Mary who is smiling and warm cannot understand this hostility and very soon all the village will see her as a witch while Miss Peel's adversity reach the highest degree...This episode really disturbed me the first time it was aired and i felt so bad for Poor Mary who is considered as a devil knowing she is bright and sunny and brings the light everywhere she goes.Miss Peel or Anita dangler is really frightening and she is almost practicing witchcraft as she curses Mary and thinks she is responsible of all the trouble.Fortunately the end is a deliverance as we understand why miss Peel is so full of hatred towards teachers and i almost felt pity for her.Mary or Melissa Sue anderson gave a very great performance here,persevering in a school despite the adversity and keeping calm ,trying to arrange things..She is the example of braveness in this community which evokes me a little the Amish community cut off from the outside world and progress and intolerant to new ideas.
Too unrealistic a community to make this one believable
FlushingCaps28 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
After watching this strange episode today, I felt the desire to voice a review here that differs with the others significantly. To me, the community where Mary goes to teach is too weird to make this show believable.
We begin with Rev. Alden arranging for Mary to begin a teaching career at a community about 40 miles away from Walnut Grove. He tells an alarming story about how there is virtually nothing around except farm homes. They have a building that doubles as church and school, although the Rev. is only able to travel there once a month to preach. The other Sundays see services led by a Miss Peel, who is much against them even having a school. Mary is to receive $15 per month plus room and board. He informs them that the last teacher quit after just four days, for reasons he doesn't know.
The Reverend takes Mary there the next day. I understand them covering 40 miles in his buggy but I cannot figure out how they got that far in time for her to be there before the start of the school day. Must have been the Interstate Buggy Trail they took.
She meets the man who will be her host and is a bit surprised at how somber and unfriendly he is. The children all enter the school and they look something like zombies. They don't respond at all initially, but as Mary calls them to her desk, she starts to get some talking from the first child. But the second says nothing.
Suddenly, a loud voice calls out from a side doorway and Mary meets Miss Peel, who asks what she will teach. She makes clear that "ciphering" is all anyone needs to know, that she doesn't even believe it worthwhile to teach reading and writing. Her whole attitude and demeanor is, to be blunt, scary.
At the house where she boards, Mary quickly learns that these people talk only when they need to and do not often need to. Mary has changed to her best Sunday dress for supper and cannot figure out why the man who owns the house where she is boarding tells her it is inappropriate for school. It is a typical late 1800s dress that reveals no arms or lower neck or leg--I have no idea what he didn't like about it.
She is challenged at school by a wisecracking older boy who shows up late. The second day, he seems apologetic and is trying to learn. He asks for help with his ciphering and Mary takes a moment outside the school on her way home to show him a problem scratched in the soft dirt with a stick. He suddenly becomes affectionate and reaches out for her hair.
She slaps him, just as Miss Peel looks on, and she yells at the boy, then calls Mary a "Jezebel"--suggesting it is her fault, claiming she will burn for what she did.
Mary tries to continue, but when nobody shows up for school the next day but the teacher, she (somehow) gets a quick ride home. (I cannot imagine any of the zombie-people taking most of a day to take her home. How she got there was unexplained.) She quickly decides to go back on Sunday (presumably after going to her own church) and Charles drives her in his wagon. Arriving during the "services" she proceeds to persuade people that she is not the evil creature Miss Peel claimed she was and all is right in "Whisper Country." Somehow, Miss Peel was shown changing her stance after a few words from this teenage outsider. Sure.
I don't understand how these people all came to believe that this Peel woman was such a great leader. She "doctored" people with potions and her preaching was the "fire and brimstone" nature. How could they want to listen to her for three weeks and then Rev. Alden every fourth week? It seems like they would have no interest in one of the two.
I have lots of trouble believing in such a joyless community where everyone goes around as though it is a sin to say a friendly word to someone.
Because much of Mary's message was about religion, I cannot claim this to be an anti-religious program, but the version of religion as practiced by Miss Peel was certainly a negative portrayal of religion.
I think Little House frequently does what they did in this episode. Trying to make a point, they so greatly exaggerated this strange community that they became caricatures of fundamentalists.
I agree with the other reviewer who wondered how anyone would hire a teenage rookie teacher for this community when they needed a veteran who could better deal with a tough assignment.
Frankly, taking this a step farther, how could Rev. Alden possibly think that Mary would have much chance of success there, since he actually knew what the people were like? Rather than put in another teacher who would surely fail, and give Mary a horrible first teaching job, it would certainly have seemed better to search elsewhere to find someone with at least a bit of experience.
I just couldn't accept this community of zombies to be believable. It was nice to see Mary come through, although I don't see how this demon woman would change anything based on listening to a few words from this girl, about 15-16 years old.
We begin with Rev. Alden arranging for Mary to begin a teaching career at a community about 40 miles away from Walnut Grove. He tells an alarming story about how there is virtually nothing around except farm homes. They have a building that doubles as church and school, although the Rev. is only able to travel there once a month to preach. The other Sundays see services led by a Miss Peel, who is much against them even having a school. Mary is to receive $15 per month plus room and board. He informs them that the last teacher quit after just four days, for reasons he doesn't know.
The Reverend takes Mary there the next day. I understand them covering 40 miles in his buggy but I cannot figure out how they got that far in time for her to be there before the start of the school day. Must have been the Interstate Buggy Trail they took.
She meets the man who will be her host and is a bit surprised at how somber and unfriendly he is. The children all enter the school and they look something like zombies. They don't respond at all initially, but as Mary calls them to her desk, she starts to get some talking from the first child. But the second says nothing.
Suddenly, a loud voice calls out from a side doorway and Mary meets Miss Peel, who asks what she will teach. She makes clear that "ciphering" is all anyone needs to know, that she doesn't even believe it worthwhile to teach reading and writing. Her whole attitude and demeanor is, to be blunt, scary.
At the house where she boards, Mary quickly learns that these people talk only when they need to and do not often need to. Mary has changed to her best Sunday dress for supper and cannot figure out why the man who owns the house where she is boarding tells her it is inappropriate for school. It is a typical late 1800s dress that reveals no arms or lower neck or leg--I have no idea what he didn't like about it.
She is challenged at school by a wisecracking older boy who shows up late. The second day, he seems apologetic and is trying to learn. He asks for help with his ciphering and Mary takes a moment outside the school on her way home to show him a problem scratched in the soft dirt with a stick. He suddenly becomes affectionate and reaches out for her hair.
She slaps him, just as Miss Peel looks on, and she yells at the boy, then calls Mary a "Jezebel"--suggesting it is her fault, claiming she will burn for what she did.
Mary tries to continue, but when nobody shows up for school the next day but the teacher, she (somehow) gets a quick ride home. (I cannot imagine any of the zombie-people taking most of a day to take her home. How she got there was unexplained.) She quickly decides to go back on Sunday (presumably after going to her own church) and Charles drives her in his wagon. Arriving during the "services" she proceeds to persuade people that she is not the evil creature Miss Peel claimed she was and all is right in "Whisper Country." Somehow, Miss Peel was shown changing her stance after a few words from this teenage outsider. Sure.
I don't understand how these people all came to believe that this Peel woman was such a great leader. She "doctored" people with potions and her preaching was the "fire and brimstone" nature. How could they want to listen to her for three weeks and then Rev. Alden every fourth week? It seems like they would have no interest in one of the two.
I have lots of trouble believing in such a joyless community where everyone goes around as though it is a sin to say a friendly word to someone.
Because much of Mary's message was about religion, I cannot claim this to be an anti-religious program, but the version of religion as practiced by Miss Peel was certainly a negative portrayal of religion.
I think Little House frequently does what they did in this episode. Trying to make a point, they so greatly exaggerated this strange community that they became caricatures of fundamentalists.
I agree with the other reviewer who wondered how anyone would hire a teenage rookie teacher for this community when they needed a veteran who could better deal with a tough assignment.
Frankly, taking this a step farther, how could Rev. Alden possibly think that Mary would have much chance of success there, since he actually knew what the people were like? Rather than put in another teacher who would surely fail, and give Mary a horrible first teaching job, it would certainly have seemed better to search elsewhere to find someone with at least a bit of experience.
I just couldn't accept this community of zombies to be believable. It was nice to see Mary come through, although I don't see how this demon woman would change anything based on listening to a few words from this girl, about 15-16 years old.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
