The Reincarnation of Nellie: Part 2 (12 Sep. 1981)

Nels goes to the ice house to get supplies and finds an unconscious (and frozen) Belinda inside. Belinda, as it turns out, will be just fine, but Nels decides to get some answers. Nancy ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Landon

Writers:

Laura Ingalls Wilder (based upon the series of books "Little House" by), Michael Landon

Stars:

Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls
Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls Wilder
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (as Katherine MacGregor)
Jonathan Gilbert	...	Willie Oleson
Matthew Labyorteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls
Dean Butler	...	Almanzo James Wilder
Jason Bateman	...	James Cooper Ingalls
Melissa Francis	...	Cassandra Cooper Ingalls (as Missy Francis)
Wendi Turnbaugh	...	Grace Ingalls
Brenda Turnbaugh	...	Grace Ingalls

Storyline

Nels goes to the ice house to get supplies and finds an unconscious (and frozen) Belinda inside. Belinda, as it turns out, will be just fine, but Nels decides to get some answers. Nancy claims she saw Willie close the door to the ice house (which he affirms), but she says nothing more about why; only the audience knows it was part of a diabolical plan to kill off her school rival and obtain the leading role in the school talent show. Later, Charles is visiting Sleepy Eye and visits with the orphanage director. In casual conversation, Charles learns that Nancy's mother had died due to childbirth complications, and that her behavior was growing increasingly worse; had the Olesens not adopted her, she would have been moved to a home for behavior-problem children. Charles shares his findings with Laura, who is left speechless. They then deduce that Nancy was behind the plan to lock Belinda in the ice house and Willie was left to play an unwitting role. Laura concludes that one-time rival ...

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Plot Keywords:

ice house | dunk tank | mermaid costume | charity bazaar

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1981 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ed Friendly Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Willie is talking to his father about the ice house incident, look behind him in the next room and you can see Katherine MacGregor's shadow as she waits for her cue to come in.

User Reviews

Bad to the Bone!

Previously on Little House, Percival and Nellie were settling down in New York to run the family business, Harriet sank into a funk until she managed to adopt a little girl who was the spittin' image of Nellie, and if you can believe it, the child was worse than Nellie. Now as we begin Part II of this madness, it seems Nancy does have a heart in there somewhere as she's taken a shine to Albert. Unfortunately for her, he's into Belinda Stevens, a sweet girl from class who was a shoe-in for the school pageant. Nancy didn't like this one bit. Get this: Nancy manages to lure Belinda into the Oleson ice house because after hearing Willie talk about how one could easily get locked in, she got an idea on how to eliminate her competition. Not only that, but Willie ended up being the one duped into closing the ice house door, unknowingly locking Belinda inside! Luckily she was discovered by Nels the next morning, but the poor child had almost frozen to death. She was rushed to Doc Baker, who declared that she would be alright. Well, sir, Mr. Stevens was furious and went to confront the Olesons. Of course Nancy denied allegations and Harriet defended her all the way. Nancy's pitching a fit brought the matter to a close. And folks, get used to Nancy screaming "you hate me!" because she'll be doing it from now on.

So with Belinda null and void for the time being, Nancy jumped to audition for the pageant. Not only that, but she attempted to steal and copy Willie's homework, but was thankfully caught in the act. Harriet immediately denied Nancy being capable of such a thing, despite the evidence right in front of her gawking face! Nels wanted to pound her ass, and I don't blame him, but Harriet launched into dramatic mode as she begged for her little "angel" to be spared, but on condition that she start helping out at the restaurant. Nancy was against work, until she learned of the concept of pay. As for the pageant, Albert and Willie organized a secret stalemate, leaving Nancy as the only contender. Laura was none the wiser to their ploy. Now you have to wonder, why is Nancy so spiteful? So mean and so deceiving? According to her, she was abandoned by her mother on a street corner. Despite Nancy's love and devotion to her mother, she wanted nothing to do with her. Everybody pitied the little girl and decided to be in the pageant after all. Sad story, huh? Too bad it was all a lie. This was confirmed by Mr. Case who met with Charles, who I was really starting to miss, in Sleepy Eye. Apparently Nancy's ma died in childbirth and she was such a horrible child her grandmother couldn't handle her... man, Nancy just played everybody in Walnut Grove like a harp. The little... c-word! I don't know how much more of this I can stand. She makes me want to rip my ears off! Thankfully Charles delivers the news of Nancy's background to the Olesons, and Harriet realizes she'd been tricked. They were all tricked. What to do with Nancy? Harriet wants to send her to bed without dessert.... how in God's name was this woman allowed to become a mother?! Laura has a better idea, however. Nancy was nominated for a very important position at the school bazaar: a mermaid. Can you tell where this is going? And so, in her prettiest dress, Nancy Oleson became the mermaid of the dunk tank! Yeah, that little bitch really is all wet! Hope she drowns.

This was painful, let me tell you. Wonderfully acted, albeit over-the-top in many instances by Allison Balson, but to her credit this is only her second episode. She was very believable as such a horrible little girl. She puts Nellie to shame. Hell, she makes Nellie look like Shirley Temple; also a shout out to Katherine MacGregor as Walnut Grove's worst mother. Props to Richard Bull as long, long-suffering Nels, awesome as ever. Written and directed superbly by Michael Landon. Again, this episode is painful, Nancy will make you gag, and worse yet, she ain't going nowhere. She will never change. She will be a horrible little monster all the way to the series finale. Again, wonderful performances, but somewhat painful to watch in terms of schmaltz and constant whining. Forget the Kleenex, for this episode you'll need ear plugs.