To Live with Fear: Part 1 (14 Feb. 1977)

Dangerous work is the only way Charles can pay for Mary's operation.

Director:

William F. Claxton

Writers:

Blanche Hanalis (developed for television by), Laura Ingalls Wilder (based upon the series of books "Little House" by),

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
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
Dabbs Greer	...	Reverend Robert Alden
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (as Katherine MacGregor)
Charlotte Stewart	...	Eva Beadle
Karl Swenson	...	Lars Hanson
Victor French	...	Isaiah Edwards
Ivan Bonar	...	Dr. Mayes
Bonnie Bartlett	...	Grace Snider Edwards

Storyline

Dangerous work is the only way Charles can pay for Mary's operation.

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Plot Keywords:

rochester minnesota | wheelchair | accident | birthday cake | intestines | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 February 1977 (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

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Onward Christian Soldiers"
(uncredited)
Music by Arthur Sullivan (1871)
Lyrics by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865)
Sung by church congregation

User Reviews

Love, Hope, and Generosity Can Often Be the Best Medicine...

Mary's near-death experience shook the foundation of the Ingalls family, as they had nearly lost everything, up to and including their eldest daughter. In this two-part, gut-wrenching drama, you will see just how far people will go to keep their family together and healthy. It all started one fine day, Charles' birthday to be exact. The family had to keep it a secret until that night, so they had to keep Charles out of the kitchen and away from his surprise cake...or against the wall where the stove sat because they won't get a kitchen until Season 4. Mary offers to put his horse in the barn, but along comes Jack, barking up a storm. That damn dog spooked the horse something awful, causing it to rear up and kick Mary, toppling her over. She says she's alright, but was about to prove otherwise. At school she had to forfeit a jump rope competition to Nellie because severe pains in her stomach kept her down. As expected, Nellie was unsympathetic. Doc Baker diagnoses it as simple stomach pains and she will recover, but when those pains worsen and are accompanied by a burning fever, Doc Baker feared the worst. Because this time he is unable to do anything. Mary needed the care of a skilled surgeon at a hospital in Rochester. Now it is to the good doctor's credit that he doesn't take his patients' conditions into confidence, because he told the entire township, who donated money to the church collection plate which Reverend Alden presented to Charles. The citizens of Walnut Grove were all giving the Ingallses support and a feeling of hope. So, while Laura and Carrie stay with the Edwards', Charles, Caroline and Mary board the train to Rochester, and hopefully to a speedy recovery.

Once Mary was admitted, Dr. Mayes informed her that she was indeed very sick and she would have to have an operation. Basically, the horse kick to her stomach created an abscess which had become badly infected. She would have to be cut open to drain the abscess, and see how she responded. The surgery would be risky, as most are. But as if Charles and Caroline didn't have enough to worry about, there were the hospital bills: room rent, operating room, nursing care...yeah, even back in the 1880s people had to worry about the high cost of hospital bills, except back then there were no insurance companies or HMOs, and sadly, unlike Doc Baker, they couldn't pay Dr. Mayes in chickens. But, the operation was a success, and now came the grueling monitoring period to see how Mary responded...sadly, within a few days, the fever returned. The abscess drainage was not enough. They needed to operate again, and her recovery might take longer. Fearing for Mary's well being, as well as financial well being, the Ingalls were faced with no other alternative, but to sell their farm. Charles went home to Walnut Grove, but could find no buyers on account of financial hardship starting to hit the town. What he did find, however, was a want ad for railroad workers. Laborers, cooks, teamsters, clerks, all urgently needed. The work was in Chicago, and Charles had to leave at once. Joining him on his trip was Isaiah Edwards, the greatest friend you could ask for: putting aside his own life to join you in a back breaking job and not keeping a penny for himself.

Great episode! Well acted, well written, it's just fantastic. I think my favorite part has to be the moment between Laura and Mary at Edwards' house. Laura tearfully assuring her that she'll be alright and Mary comforting her. Such a sweet scene; "To Live with Fear" is one episode every Little House viewer should see, even if they hardly ever watch the show. This episode is one not to be missed. Well, in Part 2 we'll rejoin Charles and Isaiah on the railroad as they work hard to keep Mary in the best care possible. One thing that bothers me, though, is when Charles needed money so badly he practically begged Mr. Hanson to buy his farm, you start to wonder why he doesn't ask Nels Oleson for help? The Olesons are richer than Hanson and although Harriett might object, Nels may have been able to help in some way. Oh well.