He Was Only Twelve: Part 2 

James continues to linger in a coma, weeks after being shot during a bank robbery in Sleepy Eye. Charles refuses to believe his son is virtually dead and, as the weeks pass, becomes ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Landon

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 Wilder
Rachel Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
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
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker
Dabbs Greer	...	Reverend Robert Alden
Matthew Labyorteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls
Don Beddoe	...	Old Man

Storyline

James continues to linger in a coma, weeks after being shot during a bank robbery in Sleepy Eye. Charles refuses to believe his son is virtually dead and, as the weeks pass, becomes verbally abusive to his family and friends. Unable to deal with mounting pressure by the others to let James die in peace, Charles leaves home and takes his adopted son with him. In the woods, Charles builds an altar and prays to God for a miracle.

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 May 1982 (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:

49 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This would be Karen Grassle's last appearance in the series proper, as Caroline Ingalls. She would not feature again until the TV movie special,"The Last Farewell ", which concluded the story and series.

---

Goofs

Mr. Ingalls appears from the loft stating he was able to feed James broth with some "device" the doc gave him. The only means of feeding comatose patients is with feeding tubes or IV. They cannot take food by mouth.

---

Quotes

Charles Ingalls: God isn't going to let my son die.
Dr. Hiram Baker: What happened in Sleepy Eye had nothing to do with God! It was a bank robbery. Your son happened to be there at that moment. There's no one to blame except the man who shot him.

User Reviews

Alright Episode

This is one of the episodes of Little House that I just cannot get sucked into. I mean, I know James was special to Charles, but how long has he known him, maybe just over a year? I can't make a connection to how Charles would literally lose his mind over James, if it was Albert then maybe, but not James. The religious scene at the end was over the top and did not feel like Little House at all, and even though it was a fine episode, it definitely should not have been the series finale (Little House: A New Beginning came after).

I love Little House on the Prairie a lot, but this episode is just too out there for me to enjoy.