Elmer Dobkins was a good boy, a simple boy, never harmed anybody or anything, so naturally this makes him a target for schoolyard bullying. Today, punks Kenny and Joel made him eat a worm then pushed him over. Yeah, Elmer was a good boy, but in no way was he the sharpest ax in the shed. In class, Miss Beadle announced it was time to elect a class president. First, they need to find two sucker...I mean, candidates. Willie, with a mouthful of candy, nominated Nellie. The second nominee was Mary, and the third, to everyone's surprise was Elmer. When his pa, Sam, heard about this, he knew it was yet another effort on the part of those rotten kids to humiliate his boy. It seems Elmer's had bad luck when it comes to socializing in school. He knew how nasty and vicious kids can be to someone different than them. He understood the nature of the beast. Speaking of beasts, Nellie had set to campaigning, knowing she'd have the girls' votes in the bag, but she needed to secure some of the boys' too, and so she bribes Willie by sneaking him a cigar. Couple of puffs on the Cuban and she had him over a barrel. Next, she held a party and invited all the girls, except Mary and her campaign manager, Laura. Two can play at that game, because the Ingalls girls decided to throw a party and invite all the girls except Nellie. However, she managed to sway the girls away with more candy. While I do hate the Oleson brats, I have to say that at least Nellie is putting more effort into her campaign than Mary.
Kenny and Joel continued to humiliate their nominee by standing him on the see-saw and making a spectacle. Sam rode by and witnessed it, but he just sat there on his wagon and watched. Fortunately, Miss Beadle broke up the fracas. I'd say the elections were off to a very poor start. That night, Sam put his foot down that Elmer would not be in the election. Kenny and Joel seemed to take the news lightly and tried to be buddy-buddy Elmer who, like a putz, believed them. When taking him to check on a wounded hog, as Elmer can't resist caring for wounded animals, they pushed him right into the pen and ran off. He walked right into that one. At school, the debates were on. Mary made a very heartfelt and genuine speech, seldom seen in politics now adays or any days. Nellie made a really hammy speech and tried to sway everybody with sweets again. Just then, a muddy Elmer showed up. He informed Miss Beadle he wasn't going to run in the election, and right then and there he made an impromptu speech about right and wrong, and he knew what Kenny, Joel and Nellie did was wrong, and such. It moved several pupils, including the teacher to tears. Mary withdrew herself from the election and encouraged Elmer to stay in the race. So, after the class voted, it was a tie between Nellie and Elmer. The deciding vote was, unfortunately, Willie's. Oh well, at least you tried, Elmer. But what's this? Did that little rat develop a conscience? He voted for Elmer! Why? Because Elmer stands up for the little guy, and Willie was as little as they came. When Sam heard, he was very proud. He always wanted a president in the family. So our story has a happy ending, Elmer Dobkins made a swell class president and was as good as his word...or we can assume, since we never see or hear from him again.
This episode was pretty good, though the middle seemed a tad weak, but the beginning and end sure made up for it. Eric Olson was magnificent as Elmer Dobkins, Charles Aidman was pretty good as Sam, and all the other members of the cast were great too. While The Election is none too memorable, it's still a pretty decent entry in the show's third season. I dare say we could use a presidential candidate like Elmer in our upcoming election. The candidates we got are lackluster to say the least and offer nothing in the way of a brighter future, but more of the same political nonsense and quick-fix solutions that got us so deep in the hole in the first place. It seems we have more Nellie Oleson candidates than Elmer Dobkins, which is a real shame. So, if you like Little House, you like the underdog, then check out The Election, and remember what Charles said, one vote can make a difference. If you think your vote doesn't matter, think again!
Kenny and Joel continued to humiliate their nominee by standing him on the see-saw and making a spectacle. Sam rode by and witnessed it, but he just sat there on his wagon and watched. Fortunately, Miss Beadle broke up the fracas. I'd say the elections were off to a very poor start. That night, Sam put his foot down that Elmer would not be in the election. Kenny and Joel seemed to take the news lightly and tried to be buddy-buddy Elmer who, like a putz, believed them. When taking him to check on a wounded hog, as Elmer can't resist caring for wounded animals, they pushed him right into the pen and ran off. He walked right into that one. At school, the debates were on. Mary made a very heartfelt and genuine speech, seldom seen in politics now adays or any days. Nellie made a really hammy speech and tried to sway everybody with sweets again. Just then, a muddy Elmer showed up. He informed Miss Beadle he wasn't going to run in the election, and right then and there he made an impromptu speech about right and wrong, and he knew what Kenny, Joel and Nellie did was wrong, and such. It moved several pupils, including the teacher to tears. Mary withdrew herself from the election and encouraged Elmer to stay in the race. So, after the class voted, it was a tie between Nellie and Elmer. The deciding vote was, unfortunately, Willie's. Oh well, at least you tried, Elmer. But what's this? Did that little rat develop a conscience? He voted for Elmer! Why? Because Elmer stands up for the little guy, and Willie was as little as they came. When Sam heard, he was very proud. He always wanted a president in the family. So our story has a happy ending, Elmer Dobkins made a swell class president and was as good as his word...or we can assume, since we never see or hear from him again.
This episode was pretty good, though the middle seemed a tad weak, but the beginning and end sure made up for it. Eric Olson was magnificent as Elmer Dobkins, Charles Aidman was pretty good as Sam, and all the other members of the cast were great too. While The Election is none too memorable, it's still a pretty decent entry in the show's third season. I dare say we could use a presidential candidate like Elmer in our upcoming election. The candidates we got are lackluster to say the least and offer nothing in the way of a brighter future, but more of the same political nonsense and quick-fix solutions that got us so deep in the hole in the first place. It seems we have more Nellie Oleson candidates than Elmer Dobkins, which is a real shame. So, if you like Little House, you like the underdog, then check out The Election, and remember what Charles said, one vote can make a difference. If you think your vote doesn't matter, think again!