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The Best Episodes of Little House on the Prairie Season 1

Every episode of Little House on the Prairie Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Little House on the Prairie Season 1!

Little House on the Prairie is an American Western drama television series, starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert, and Karen Grassle, about a family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and 1880s.

Genres:WesternDramaFamily
Network:NBC

Season 1 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Little House on the Prairie" season 1 is "A Harvest of Friends", rated 8.6/10 from 654 user votes. It was directed by Michael Landon and written by N/A. "A Harvest of Friends" aired on 9/11/1974 and is rated 0.0 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Country Girls".

  • A Harvest of Friends
    8.6/10 654 votes

    #1 - A Harvest of Friends

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 1974-09-11

    The Ingalls settle on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. To get the farm set up, Charles must take on several jobs at once. He promises one person that if he didn't get the job done in the specified time, the person could have his oxen.

    Director: Michael Landon

    Writer: N/A

  • Country Girls
    8.6/10 560 votes

    #2 - Country Girls

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 1974-09-18

    Laura and Mary start school for the first time. That is where they meet Nellie Oleson. Since Laura hasn't been to school before, she tries especially hard with her schoolwork. The students have to write an essay to present in front of the class. Laura recites what she would have written on the paper if she could have, instead of what was actually written on it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Juanita Bartlett

  • 100 Mile Walk
    8.3/10 527 votes

    #3 - 100 Mile Walk

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 1974-09-25

    In the beginning, things look very good for the Ingalls until a bad hailstorm ruins their crops. Charles and some other farmers must leave to look for work. They end up working in a quarry. While Charles is away, Caroline is able to get the women of Walnut Grove to join together to harvest the remaining crops.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Mr. Edwards' Homecoming
    8.3/10 470 votes

    #4 - Mr. Edwards' Homecoming

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 1974-10-02

    While Charles is in Mankato, he runs into Mr. Edwards and invites him to come to Walnut Grove. Caroline tries to match Mr. Edwards up with Grace Snider, but instead she just ends up in the way since Mr. Edwards is able to charm Grace all by himself. Although there are a couple problems that must be overcome, things turn out for the best in the end.

    Director: Michael Landon

    Writer: Joel Murcott

  • The Love of Johnny Johnson
    7.1/10 439 votes

    #5 - The Love of Johnny Johnson

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 1974-10-09

    Laura falls in love with a new student, Johnny Johnson. Johnny, who is a lot older than Laura, is interested in Mary instead. Although Mary is not interested in Johnny, Laura's actions cause tension between the sisters. When Charles finds this out, he is appalled that either of his girls is involved with Johnny.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • If I Should Wake Before I Die
    7.8/10 470 votes

    #6 - If I Should Wake Before I Die

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 1974-10-23

    After her friend dies, Miss Amy, an old lady, convinces the Ingalls and Doc Baker to help her stage her own death. Amy thought this was the only way to get her family to come and see her.

    Director: Victor French

    Writer: N/A

  • Town Party, Country Party
    8.5/10 488 votes

    #7 - Town Party, Country Party

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 1974-10-30

    Laura connects with a sweet, shy classmate named Olga Nordstrom, who happens to have been born with a short leg. Charles has an idea that can change Olga’s entire life, but the challenge will be convincing the child’s stubborn widowed father.

    Director: Alf Kjellin

    Writer: N/A

  • Ma's Holiday
    8.0/10 410 votes

    #8 - Ma's Holiday

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 1974-11-06

    Charles and Caroline decide to go on a second honeymoon and leave Mr. Edwards in charge of the children. The honeymoon doesn't turn out very well because Caroline keeps worrying about the children. Back at home, Mr. Edwards has his hands full with Carrie.

    Director: Leo Penn

    Writer: Dale Eunson

  • School Mom
    8.3/10 436 votes

    #9 - School Mom

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 1974-11-13

    After Ms. Beadle sprains her ankle, Caroline becomes the substitute teacher. Caroline takes a special interest in helping an older student, Abel, learn to read. One day Mrs. Oleson shows up and causes Abel to quit school. Because of this Caroline quits, but returns after she convinces Abel to give school another chance.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Raccoon
    8.2/10 415 votes

    #10 - The Raccoon

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 1974-11-20

    Charles allows Laura to adopt a baby raccoon, Jasper. After being caged, the raccoon bites Laura and Jack and runs away. The family fears that Laura and Jack might have rabies until a healthy Jasper returns.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Voice of Tinker Jones
    8.2/10 416 votes

    #11 - The Voice of Tinker Jones

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 1974-12-04

    The town becomes divided when Mrs. Oleson offers to buy a bell for the church, but only if she can put up a plaque. The differences and arguing begin to affect the school children. A mute craftsman, Tinker Jones, steps in and with the help of the school children, is able to make a bell.

    Director: Leo Penn

    Writer: N/A

  • The Award
    8.2/10 400 votes

    #12 - The Award

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1974-12-11

    While studying for an optional history exam in the barn, Mary accidentally knocks over a reading lamp and starts a fire. Caroline punishes Mary by telling her she couldn't take the exam. Mary doesn't tell Ms. Beadle this until the day of the exam.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Michael Landon

  • The Lord is My Shepherd (1)
    8.4/10 458 votes

    #13 - The Lord is My Shepherd (1)

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1974-12-18

    Caroline becomes pregnant. Shortly after the baby is born, he becomes ill.

    Director: Michael Landon

    Writer: Michael Landon

  • The Lord is My Shepherd (2)
    8.5/10 492 votes

    #14 - The Lord is My Shepherd (2)

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1974-12-18

    Believing that her jealousy was responsible for her infant brother's death and that her parents would rather have a son than a spare daughter, Laura climbs the highest hill she can find, hoping to get as close to God as possible to ask Him to take her instead and return the baby boy to the family. While Charles and Mr. Edwards desperately search for her, Laura meets Jonathan, a mystical mountain man who seems to have been sent purposely to guide her through this life-changing experience.

    Director: Michael Landon

    Writer: N/A

  • Christmas At Plum Creek
    8.5/10 455 votes

    #15 - Christmas At Plum Creek

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1974-12-25

    The Christmas holiday is approaching and the members of the Ingalls family go about their holiday shopping in secrecy. Laura is able to buy her mom a stove that she wanted after she sells her horse to Mr. Oleson.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Arthur Heinemann

  • Family Quarrel
    7.9/10 363 votes

    #16 - Family Quarrel

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1975-01-15

    After a major disagreement, Nels and Harriet go their separate ways. Many people in town try to get the two back together.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Doctor's Lady
    7.9/10 401 votes

    #17 - Doctor's Lady

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 1975-01-22

    Dr. Baker and Harriet's niece, Kate, fall in love with each other. Then their age difference becomes an issue.

    Director: Lewis Allen

    Writer: Arthur Heinemann

  • Plague
    8.5/10 408 votes

    #18 - Plague

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 1975-01-29

    Several people in Walnut Grove get very sick. A quarantine is set up in the church while the source of the illness is being sought.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: Michael Landon

  • Circus Man
    7.3/10 366 votes

    #19 - Circus Man

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 1975-02-05

    A traveling circusman, O'Hara, comes to Walnut Grove and tries to get everyone to believe he has magic healing powders. However, he is really found out when Mrs. Oleson almost loses her life when she tries his healing powders instead of having an operation.

    Director: Michael Landon, Victor French

    Writer: N/A

  • Child of Pain
    8.2/10 392 votes

    #20 - Child of Pain

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 1975-02-12

    When it is found out that a young boy, Graham, is being beaten by his alcoholic father, John, Caroline takes care of the boy while Charles stays with John to try to get him to stay sober.

    Director: Victor French

    Writer: John Meston

  • Money Crop
    7.9/10 355 votes

    #21 - Money Crop

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 1975-02-19

    A college-educated farmer named Joe moves to Walnut Grove with his pregnant wife. He tells the Walnut Grove-area farmers of a new hybrid of corn that would produce good crops, to which the farmers are very enthused. They decide to buy some of this new seed. While on the way back to Walnut Grove with the seed, Joe gets into an accident, as the farmers wait for his return.

    Director: Leo Penn

    Writer: John Meston

  • Survival
    8.2/10 403 votes

    #22 - Survival

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 1975-02-26

    The Ingallses have to seek shelter when a blizzard hits. There they meet an Indian who helps them out. A marshall, looking for the Indian, comes by...

    Director: William F. Claxton

    Writer: N/A

  • To See The World
    6.9/10 356 votes

    #23 - To See The World

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 1975-03-05

    Johnny Johnson leaves to ""see the world"" and Mr. Edwards goes along with him to keep him out of trouble. Johnny meets up with a girl who is able to trick him out of a lot of money. Mr. Edwards talks to this girl to try to have her convince Johnny to go back home.

    Director: Michael Landon

    Writer: N/A

  • Founder's Day
    8.0/10 368 votes

    #24 - Founder's Day

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 1975-05-07

    Walnut Grove celebrates this great day with several different competitions. There are very competitive spirits between the Olesons and the Ingallses.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A