This is an unusual episode. It's almost a "What if" scenario. What if the Ingalls family, who are usually working so hard just to make ends meet, suddenly came into a large sum of money; enough to take care of all of their own needs as well as others?
Of course, most people dream about what it would be like to be "rich" while not realizing that wealth often comes with problems of its own. Yes, it's not quite so pleasing after all. Charles Dickens famously wrote the quote of Ebeneezer Scrooge, "There is no such thing as rich enough, only poor enough."
An eccentric uncle has left Charles the "wealth" of his estate. Of course, Charles isn't specifically told what that wealth is, and the attorney representing his deceased uncle, can't tell him because he's not entirely sure either.
Charles has often talked about buying things on credit at the Oleson's which he's against. And yet, Charles breaks his rule in spite of himself (ironically, there are a number of past episodes in which Charles pays off the bill at the Oleson's, so he's isn't quite so adept at sticking to his policy). Despite her dubious intentions, Mrs. Oleson actually speaks words of wisdom: a man shouldn't spend money that he doesn't have.
Because Charles assumes that he's about to come into a great deal of money, he and Caroline begin to run up a massive debt on the pretense. Charles even promises to buy an organ for the church after Reverend Alden drops a "big hint" at wanting one. Even Mrs. Oleson is unusually friendly toward the Ingalls upon finding out about their "new status."
Of course, the dream comes to a grinding halt when the attorney presents Charles with a large box. Even the attorney has no idea what's inside. As soon as he opens it, there is a massive amount of cash to Caroline's delight...only to be told that it's worthless confederate money.
Now the Ingalls find themselves unable to pay off their massive debt with no other alternative but to put the farm, house, and everything on it up for public auction.
Michael Landon himself stated numerous times that no amount of wealth can buy a true friend. And in the end, the Ingalls discover how blessed they are to have such friends, which culminates in an ending that only Landon could come up with. While it's heartfelt, it also causes the viewer to question: how important is wealth and is it worth losing everything that's really important in order to get it? Especially when it not only tends to change the person who acquires it, but also everyone around them.
Of course, most people dream about what it would be like to be "rich" while not realizing that wealth often comes with problems of its own. Yes, it's not quite so pleasing after all. Charles Dickens famously wrote the quote of Ebeneezer Scrooge, "There is no such thing as rich enough, only poor enough."
An eccentric uncle has left Charles the "wealth" of his estate. Of course, Charles isn't specifically told what that wealth is, and the attorney representing his deceased uncle, can't tell him because he's not entirely sure either.
Charles has often talked about buying things on credit at the Oleson's which he's against. And yet, Charles breaks his rule in spite of himself (ironically, there are a number of past episodes in which Charles pays off the bill at the Oleson's, so he's isn't quite so adept at sticking to his policy). Despite her dubious intentions, Mrs. Oleson actually speaks words of wisdom: a man shouldn't spend money that he doesn't have.
Because Charles assumes that he's about to come into a great deal of money, he and Caroline begin to run up a massive debt on the pretense. Charles even promises to buy an organ for the church after Reverend Alden drops a "big hint" at wanting one. Even Mrs. Oleson is unusually friendly toward the Ingalls upon finding out about their "new status."
Of course, the dream comes to a grinding halt when the attorney presents Charles with a large box. Even the attorney has no idea what's inside. As soon as he opens it, there is a massive amount of cash to Caroline's delight...only to be told that it's worthless confederate money.
Now the Ingalls find themselves unable to pay off their massive debt with no other alternative but to put the farm, house, and everything on it up for public auction.
Michael Landon himself stated numerous times that no amount of wealth can buy a true friend. And in the end, the Ingalls discover how blessed they are to have such friends, which culminates in an ending that only Landon could come up with. While it's heartfelt, it also causes the viewer to question: how important is wealth and is it worth losing everything that's really important in order to get it? Especially when it not only tends to change the person who acquires it, but also everyone around them.