How many times does that girl have to keep falling for Nellies crap? It's amazing how naive she is and how naive Charles has been about the world over the seasons.
Little House on the Prairie (TV Series)
Back to School (Part II) (1979)
User Reviews
Review this title8 Reviews
Naive
drexmaverick12 June 2019
Before there was Krystle and Alexis, there was Laura and Nellie
fritali048 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Laura Ingalls and Nellie Olsen are two of television's greatest feuding females. We've seen them lock horns many times over previous seasons, but they're growing up and their reasons for feuding are as well.
It's a new school year and Walnut Grove is getting a new teacher in Miss Eliza Jane Wilder. Teenager Albert is hoping the new teacher is the prairie era equivalent of a centerfold, but those hopes are dashed when Miss Wilder's looks fall short of conventional physical beauty.
However, Miss Wilder didn't come to town alone. She brought with her a younger brother definitely not lacking in the looks department, much to Laura's delight. Dashing Almonzo Wilder with his shaggy golden locks and megawatt smile has Laura all starry-eyed, but he's ten years her senior and doesn't see Laura as anything more than a sweet kid. This sends Laura into teenage rebellion mode, shedding her trademark pigtails for a long flowing hairstyle to get Almonzo to see the woman emerging and not Pa's beloved Half-Pint.
The first day of school for Miss Wilder and the town children begins (i.e interrupted) with a Harriet-organized mini graduation ceremony for Nellie and forced-attendance unveiling of her graduation present, the new Nellie's restaurant and hotel. Nellie is pretty ambivalent about the extravagant gift when she learns it involves hard work, especially in the restaurant kitchen where she definitely lacks skills. Luckily for Nellie, Caroline Ingalls comes seeking some temporary employment after Charles is injured in a bizarre runaway millstone accident. Caroline, of course, knows her way around a kitchen being a wife and mother and having managed a much larger restaurant during their brief time living in Winoka. Exasperated Harriet happily hires Caroline on the spot and even agrees to Caroline's salary and work schedule demands. However, much to Laura's chagrin, Harriet also notices the hunky Almonzo and decides he could be a proper suitor and future husband for her pride and joy. Harriet gets Nellie to invite Almonzo to the restaurant for a romantic Sunday dinner for two, but one of Caroline's demands was Sundays off. Well who is going to prepare the romantic dinner of cinnamon chicken?? Laura "happily" offers to cook for Nellie's candlelight dinner. Of course, Laura is channeling her own inner Nellie and sabotages the evening by substituting the cinnamon with a whole lot of cayenne pepper, leaving Nellie and Almonzo gasping for water.
After being forced by Ma to apologize to Nellie for her deceit, Laura unwittingly accepts Nellie's olive branch of advice concerning the exam Laura is about to take for her certification to be a teacher: she assures Laura the exam won't contain any history questions. Of course, Laura should know well enough by now to take any help from Nellie with a grain of salt. Laura ends up failing the exam and with her building frustration from everyone continually treating her like a little girl, hits Defcon 1-level fury when she encounters Nellie. They have their most epic knock-down brawl in the muddy creek, which is witnessed and broken up by Almonzo.
Laura had fired the first shot in this particular conflict with Nellie, so she can't really be seen as the innocent victim this time. Anyway, she is growing up and we all know her future does involve becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Can't feel bad for Nellie, either. There is real happiness coming soon for her as well.
It's a new school year and Walnut Grove is getting a new teacher in Miss Eliza Jane Wilder. Teenager Albert is hoping the new teacher is the prairie era equivalent of a centerfold, but those hopes are dashed when Miss Wilder's looks fall short of conventional physical beauty.
However, Miss Wilder didn't come to town alone. She brought with her a younger brother definitely not lacking in the looks department, much to Laura's delight. Dashing Almonzo Wilder with his shaggy golden locks and megawatt smile has Laura all starry-eyed, but he's ten years her senior and doesn't see Laura as anything more than a sweet kid. This sends Laura into teenage rebellion mode, shedding her trademark pigtails for a long flowing hairstyle to get Almonzo to see the woman emerging and not Pa's beloved Half-Pint.
The first day of school for Miss Wilder and the town children begins (i.e interrupted) with a Harriet-organized mini graduation ceremony for Nellie and forced-attendance unveiling of her graduation present, the new Nellie's restaurant and hotel. Nellie is pretty ambivalent about the extravagant gift when she learns it involves hard work, especially in the restaurant kitchen where she definitely lacks skills. Luckily for Nellie, Caroline Ingalls comes seeking some temporary employment after Charles is injured in a bizarre runaway millstone accident. Caroline, of course, knows her way around a kitchen being a wife and mother and having managed a much larger restaurant during their brief time living in Winoka. Exasperated Harriet happily hires Caroline on the spot and even agrees to Caroline's salary and work schedule demands. However, much to Laura's chagrin, Harriet also notices the hunky Almonzo and decides he could be a proper suitor and future husband for her pride and joy. Harriet gets Nellie to invite Almonzo to the restaurant for a romantic Sunday dinner for two, but one of Caroline's demands was Sundays off. Well who is going to prepare the romantic dinner of cinnamon chicken?? Laura "happily" offers to cook for Nellie's candlelight dinner. Of course, Laura is channeling her own inner Nellie and sabotages the evening by substituting the cinnamon with a whole lot of cayenne pepper, leaving Nellie and Almonzo gasping for water.
After being forced by Ma to apologize to Nellie for her deceit, Laura unwittingly accepts Nellie's olive branch of advice concerning the exam Laura is about to take for her certification to be a teacher: she assures Laura the exam won't contain any history questions. Of course, Laura should know well enough by now to take any help from Nellie with a grain of salt. Laura ends up failing the exam and with her building frustration from everyone continually treating her like a little girl, hits Defcon 1-level fury when she encounters Nellie. They have their most epic knock-down brawl in the muddy creek, which is witnessed and broken up by Almonzo.
Laura had fired the first shot in this particular conflict with Nellie, so she can't really be seen as the innocent victim this time. Anyway, she is growing up and we all know her future does involve becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Can't feel bad for Nellie, either. There is real happiness coming soon for her as well.
High energy episode where the woman inside Laura bursts out
muratmihcioglu30 November 2023
Little House on the Praire has a weird universe. People's metrics and attitudes dramatically change, but in a fashion that adds to the entertainment value.
For starters: Just a dozen episodes ago we saw the Ingalls parents send their daughter Mary away to study with the two recently-moved-in strangers, who'd turn out to be the notorious outlaws James Brothers. But in this one, Charles makes a big deal of how the other daughter, Laura, can be found in the Wilder home with Almanzo, making him use his fists.
It seems like they have provided the characters with flexible values, precautions and instincts depending on what story they were willing to push.
This one is good because it's not tragic or heavily moody like some previous ones, but quite well-pacad and fun overall, which I believe serves best the main aim of the series.
And significant also because it tells us what exactly has made Laura welcome Beth, the name shortened version of her middle name Elizabeth, in the first place - because in the following seasons one might get confused as to why it's only Almanzo Wilder who calls her so.
For starters: Just a dozen episodes ago we saw the Ingalls parents send their daughter Mary away to study with the two recently-moved-in strangers, who'd turn out to be the notorious outlaws James Brothers. But in this one, Charles makes a big deal of how the other daughter, Laura, can be found in the Wilder home with Almanzo, making him use his fists.
It seems like they have provided the characters with flexible values, precautions and instincts depending on what story they were willing to push.
This one is good because it's not tragic or heavily moody like some previous ones, but quite well-pacad and fun overall, which I believe serves best the main aim of the series.
And significant also because it tells us what exactly has made Laura welcome Beth, the name shortened version of her middle name Elizabeth, in the first place - because in the following seasons one might get confused as to why it's only Almanzo Wilder who calls her so.
Classic Opener to Season 6!
spasek10 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Laura has to deal wit the fallout of sabotaging Nellie's dinner with Almanzo. She doesn't have a real problem apologizing to Nellie, but she absolutely refuses to apologize to Almanzo. This is because she doesn't want to be escorted by Caroline, thus making Laura feel like a little girl.
Ah, it's funny how teenagers are so anxious to grow up! In Laura's case, it's even more fervent. She finds out that she can take an exam to finish school, which would get her one step closer to getting a teacher's license. While Laura does want to be a teacher, her motivations are more about getting Almanzo to notice her as a young woman. The things we do to make others notice and like us.
Mrs. Wilder tells Laura the subjects she'll be tested in, but when Laura goes to Nellie to ask for the books she needs to study, Nellie conveniently tells her that there wasn't any History on the test that she took. Laura, naively believes her. It's hard to believe that Laura is that trusting of Nellie after what Laura had just done to her.
Of course, Laura studies hard, takes the test, and fails miserably when she discovers that much of the test was in History. Crushed by the failure, Laura spots Nellie on her way home. Now, it's Laura's turn for some payback, as she and Nellie end up in a classic mud-wrestling fight. Alison Arngrim stated that pigs frequented the area, and she was certain that she'd swallowed more than just dirt during filming of the famous tussle!
Tit for tat, we're not done yet! Nellie shows up at her restaurant covered in mud, giving Charles, Caroline, and Jonathan fits of laughter as a result. Charles's laughter at Nellie's expense is quickly quenched when she tells him that Laura attacked her because she saw Laura and Almanzo kissing. This, of course, sets Charles off after Almanzo in a fit of anger.
Somehow, with mending broken ribs, Charles is able to punch Almanzo twice when poor Almanzo answeres the knock at the door. Laura sets her father straight about what happened and storms out, and showing her true maturity, by shouting, "I'm a woman! A woman! And I hate all of you!"
This time, it's Caroline who has to console her heartbroken daughter telling her to start acting like a woman instead of a little girl. There are times I appreciate Caroline's wisdom even more than Charles's. This was definitely one of them.
This two-part episode was a fantastic way to open Season 6, and it has certainly taken its rightful place as one of LHOP's best episodes!
Ah, it's funny how teenagers are so anxious to grow up! In Laura's case, it's even more fervent. She finds out that she can take an exam to finish school, which would get her one step closer to getting a teacher's license. While Laura does want to be a teacher, her motivations are more about getting Almanzo to notice her as a young woman. The things we do to make others notice and like us.
Mrs. Wilder tells Laura the subjects she'll be tested in, but when Laura goes to Nellie to ask for the books she needs to study, Nellie conveniently tells her that there wasn't any History on the test that she took. Laura, naively believes her. It's hard to believe that Laura is that trusting of Nellie after what Laura had just done to her.
Of course, Laura studies hard, takes the test, and fails miserably when she discovers that much of the test was in History. Crushed by the failure, Laura spots Nellie on her way home. Now, it's Laura's turn for some payback, as she and Nellie end up in a classic mud-wrestling fight. Alison Arngrim stated that pigs frequented the area, and she was certain that she'd swallowed more than just dirt during filming of the famous tussle!
Tit for tat, we're not done yet! Nellie shows up at her restaurant covered in mud, giving Charles, Caroline, and Jonathan fits of laughter as a result. Charles's laughter at Nellie's expense is quickly quenched when she tells him that Laura attacked her because she saw Laura and Almanzo kissing. This, of course, sets Charles off after Almanzo in a fit of anger.
Somehow, with mending broken ribs, Charles is able to punch Almanzo twice when poor Almanzo answeres the knock at the door. Laura sets her father straight about what happened and storms out, and showing her true maturity, by shouting, "I'm a woman! A woman! And I hate all of you!"
This time, it's Caroline who has to console her heartbroken daughter telling her to start acting like a woman instead of a little girl. There are times I appreciate Caroline's wisdom even more than Charles's. This was definitely one of them.
This two-part episode was a fantastic way to open Season 6, and it has certainly taken its rightful place as one of LHOP's best episodes!
Almanzo
mitchrmp11 August 2013
In my opinion, Almanzo is what makes this season great!
When the first part of this episode ended, Nellie was losing her mind after Laura put pepper on the chicken instead of cinnamon. Caroline pulls her daughter out of school and demands she go to apologize to Nellie - who is still crying. But when Laura was told she'd be apologizing to Almanzo next, she ran away saying she wouldn't do it. She did eventually when her father told her she could go on her own.
Nellie gets Laura back really good by lying to her about how much history is in the education certificate test. The famous mud-scene is shown.
I really, really like this two-part episode. We learn the personality of Almanzo, though his treatment of Laura is a bit odd. He, a mere stranger, gives Laura a kiss on the forehead for good luck. He takes Laura to his house and let's her change into his robe. Though it's a bit odd, it works for me because it creates situations that drama is made for! It's almost like Almanzo knows Laura has a crush on him and is so flattered he plays along with her. Oh well, whatever the cause, it makes for good entertainment!
When the first part of this episode ended, Nellie was losing her mind after Laura put pepper on the chicken instead of cinnamon. Caroline pulls her daughter out of school and demands she go to apologize to Nellie - who is still crying. But when Laura was told she'd be apologizing to Almanzo next, she ran away saying she wouldn't do it. She did eventually when her father told her she could go on her own.
Nellie gets Laura back really good by lying to her about how much history is in the education certificate test. The famous mud-scene is shown.
I really, really like this two-part episode. We learn the personality of Almanzo, though his treatment of Laura is a bit odd. He, a mere stranger, gives Laura a kiss on the forehead for good luck. He takes Laura to his house and let's her change into his robe. Though it's a bit odd, it works for me because it creates situations that drama is made for! It's almost like Almanzo knows Laura has a crush on him and is so flattered he plays along with her. Oh well, whatever the cause, it makes for good entertainment!
And the saga continues...
spottygoodboy3 June 2020
They Grow Up So Slowly...
ExplorerDS678916 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Previously on Little House, Charles was nearly killed by a run away caveman wheel, breaking both his arm and his confidence. Laura helps out at the restaurant and pulls the old Cayenne Pepper trick on Nellie, and Almanzo Wilder, the man she has the hots for...oops. So as we begin, Laura was forced to apologize to Nellie, which she didn't mean, but when told she has to write a letter of apology to Almanzo, she flat out refuses and runs away to dramatic music. See, Laura doesn't consider herself a little girl anymore and is upset because everybody treats her as one. Maybe if she didn't act like a child, they wouldn't treat her as such. Logical, isn't it? In fact, Laura is so desperate to be recognized as an adult, that she's ready to take the school certificate exam to graduate and work her way to becoming a certified teacher, and with no hard feelings from Almanzo over the whole pepper gag, things really started looking up for Laura Ingalls. But could she possibly be getting in way over her head? She was basically a high school junior and had a whole year's worth of knowledge yet to learn, so she goes to Nellie to borrow the senior books, literally begging for her forgiveness. Nellie accepts, but tells Laura a fib about the certificate exam not having history. Like a fool, Laura believes Nellie over Miss Wilder, but like most things in life, you learn the hard way. And so, Laura commenced to cramming.
Surprise, surprise, the test was 90% history. Laura failed and ran away to the creek to sob, absolutely devastated, and then along came Nellie to rub it in. Well, the result was both girls getting into a mud fight. Yes, they did that back then too. So as the childishness continued, Almanzo happened by and rescued Laura, soaked from head to toe, leaving a mud-caked Nellie to fend for herself...quite the gentleman, but who could blame him? So in her anger, Nellie went and told Charles about Almanzo, every vicious lie she could conjure up and like a moron, he believed her, so he set out with Jonathan to Almanzo's place where the good man had taken Laura in to dry by the fire. So in bursts Charles, throwing his one good fist around, and quickly learns the whole thing was a big misunderstanding. Almanzo proves to be a much bigger man than Charles by accepting his apology and not fighting back, while Laura claims she's a grown up woman, she hates them all and runs away crying. Yeah, that's telling them, Laura. Good lord; So she goes home, up to the loft and cries like the little girl she is. But thankfully Caroline intervenes to calm everybody down and give Laura a good talking to on what being a grown up is really like. So, Laura goes down to talk with her Pa, they agree this was all Nellie's fault, and they go fishing.
So, "Back to School Part 2". I didn't like it. Not a very good episode in my opinion. For one, Laura still has A LOT of growing up to do, which she never fully does. Second, Charles acting the way he did. He's just a big jerk who hits first and asks questions later. Sure he has good intentions and he will protect his family no matter what the cost, which is very noble of him, but here, he went too far. Finally, the ending sucked. They just shook it all off and went about their lives. Very weak; But on the positive side, we get to meet Laura's future husband, Almanzo Wilder, who has already proved to be twice the man Charles Ingalls is, and if you've read Laura's books, you'll see that Almanzo is truly a hero; Alison Arngrim really brings it home as Nellie, as evil here as ever. Thankfully Percival will soon come to set her straight; anyway, I don't like this episode and I wouldn't recommend it, unless you're a die-hard Prairie fan and if this storyline resembles something in your own life, as most young women do, who have overprotective jackass fathers who take immediate dislikes to their lovers. Don't you hate that? But I digress. 'Back to School'. Go back to the vault.
Surprise, surprise, the test was 90% history. Laura failed and ran away to the creek to sob, absolutely devastated, and then along came Nellie to rub it in. Well, the result was both girls getting into a mud fight. Yes, they did that back then too. So as the childishness continued, Almanzo happened by and rescued Laura, soaked from head to toe, leaving a mud-caked Nellie to fend for herself...quite the gentleman, but who could blame him? So in her anger, Nellie went and told Charles about Almanzo, every vicious lie she could conjure up and like a moron, he believed her, so he set out with Jonathan to Almanzo's place where the good man had taken Laura in to dry by the fire. So in bursts Charles, throwing his one good fist around, and quickly learns the whole thing was a big misunderstanding. Almanzo proves to be a much bigger man than Charles by accepting his apology and not fighting back, while Laura claims she's a grown up woman, she hates them all and runs away crying. Yeah, that's telling them, Laura. Good lord; So she goes home, up to the loft and cries like the little girl she is. But thankfully Caroline intervenes to calm everybody down and give Laura a good talking to on what being a grown up is really like. So, Laura goes down to talk with her Pa, they agree this was all Nellie's fault, and they go fishing.
So, "Back to School Part 2". I didn't like it. Not a very good episode in my opinion. For one, Laura still has A LOT of growing up to do, which she never fully does. Second, Charles acting the way he did. He's just a big jerk who hits first and asks questions later. Sure he has good intentions and he will protect his family no matter what the cost, which is very noble of him, but here, he went too far. Finally, the ending sucked. They just shook it all off and went about their lives. Very weak; But on the positive side, we get to meet Laura's future husband, Almanzo Wilder, who has already proved to be twice the man Charles Ingalls is, and if you've read Laura's books, you'll see that Almanzo is truly a hero; Alison Arngrim really brings it home as Nellie, as evil here as ever. Thankfully Percival will soon come to set her straight; anyway, I don't like this episode and I wouldn't recommend it, unless you're a die-hard Prairie fan and if this storyline resembles something in your own life, as most young women do, who have overprotective jackass fathers who take immediate dislikes to their lovers. Don't you hate that? But I digress. 'Back to School'. Go back to the vault.
Whose fault was it
ravmeltt1 April 2020
Both Charles and Laura we're blaming Nellie for what happened with everything but in this instant I blame Laura. She first did a very wrong thing with Nellie when she put all that pepper in the food in the previous episode. And Nellie got back at her with lying about the exam. But Laura started it.
And I can't understand why she kept insisting she was a woman at 15 years old. And no one seemed to want to discourage. And in thee d Charles was very forgiving of all the wrong she did and saying I love you. I think she should have gotten a whipping. I find they used to be too lenient.
And I can't understand why she kept insisting she was a woman at 15 years old. And no one seemed to want to discourage. And in thee d Charles was very forgiving of all the wrong she did and saying I love you. I think she should have gotten a whipping. I find they used to be too lenient.
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