Post 44: "The Pride of Walnut Grove"

From 13-Year-Old Anne's Journal — December 27, 1982 – GOOD "Mary wins a math contest and goes to Minniapolis (sic) for a state contest. Meanwhile, Laura tries to act like Ma. She keeps house, bakes, etc. Since Walnut Grove paid for her trip Mary feels she has to win. She is 1st runner up & they have a party anyway."____________________________________________________From Anne — Welcome to the prairie, where there is nothing digital. Especially Little House video content. Tracy says that NBC or whoever holds the license for the LHOP TV episode canon has scoured the world wide web, erasing any clip, blip or full episode. We're going from memory, gals! Let's see just how deeply Little House embedded itself in our collective memory … without visual aids.So, I don't really recall much about this episode. It sounds good, though, and by gosh, that's the review I gave it: "GOOD."How many of us waged battle in an academic contest when we were young? I won the 3rd grade spelling bee (though you wouldn't know it here…in my journal entry I spell Minneapolis "Minniapolis"). I also had a game-winning answer in a 5th grade quiz-show format history contest.Q: 'Who said "I have not yet begun to fight"' ?A: John Paul Jones.Funny thing is, I only knew this because it was referenced in a episode of The Carol Burnett Show, a show I used to beg to stay up and watch on Saturday nights, along with Sonny and Cher. Like many of us, I have a diploma from the University of Boob Tube.We all know Mary Ingalls was a Type A, high achiever perfectionist. It must have devastated her to lose a math contest in Minneapolis.____________________________________________________ From Tracy — Hey if anyone out there has suggestions for how to post links to the shows, please let us know. If NBC was so worried about their content why aren't the episodes available on iTunes for purchase? Or at least streaming somewhere on Netflix? I'm sure there's at least another dollar or two to wring out of this series and I'm sure the stars would appreciate a heftier check from their royalties (?). Les sigh.Well now back to the episode. It's been awhile since I've seen the episode too but I did watch it last year. And I do remember my stomach tightening in sympathy over how Mary did in the competition. I was a little Type A perfectionist myself and entered damn near everything like the awards junkie I am.Both girls were so mature in this episode and I loved how Laura didn't get jealous but worked extra hard so that Pa wouldn't be overburdened. Seems to me she fell asleep at the dining table while talking to Pa?Besides I am a sucker for any episode that features bunting and bandstands.