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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!

Binge this in 19h 28m•Peaking at 8.7/10

When the big woods of Wisconsin becomes a difficult spot for hunting, Charles Ingalls reluctantly decides to move his family, pioneering west. Their life on the farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 1 - A Harvest of Friends
    8.7/10(839 votes)

    S1:E1

    The Ingalls settle on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. To acquire the deed to his farm, Charles takes several jobs.

    Director:Michael Landon
    Writers:John Hawkins, William Putman

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  2. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 2 - Country Girls
    8.7/10(696 votes)

    S1:E2

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Juanita Bartlett

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  3. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 7 - Town Party, Country Party
    8.6/10(600 votes)

    S1:E7

    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:Juanita Bartlett

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  4. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 14 - Christmas At Plum Creek
    8.5/10(601 votes)

    S1:E14

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Arthur Heinemann

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  5. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 15 - Family Quarrel
    8.5/10(553 votes)

    S1:E15

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

    Director:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Ward Hawkins

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  6. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 18 - Circus Man
    8.5/10(507 votes)

    S1:E18

    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:Victor French
    Writers:Ward Hawkins, Preston Wood

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  7. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 9 - School Mom
    8.4/10(547 votes)

    S1:E9

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writers:Ward Hawkins, Jean Rouverol

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  8. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 13 - The Lord is My Shepherd
    8.4/10(559 votes)

    S1:E13

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

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  9. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 3 - 100 Mile Walk
    8.3/10(651 votes)

    S1:E3

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Ward Hawkins

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  10. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 4 - Mr. Edwards' Homecoming
    8.3/10(588 votes)

    S1:E4

    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

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  11. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 22 - To See the World
    8.3/10(487 votes)

    S1:E22

    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:Gerry Day

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  12. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 10 - The Raccoon
    8.2/10(516 votes)

    S1:E10

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Joseph Bonaduce

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  13. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 11 - The Voice of Tinker Jones
    8.2/10(529 votes)

    S1:E11

    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
    Writers:Tony Kayden, Michael Russnow

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  14. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 20 - Money Crop
    8.2/10(472 votes)

    S1:E20

    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
    Writers:John Meston, Ward Hawkins

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  15. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 8 - Ma's Holiday
    8.1/10(506 votes)

    S1:E8

    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

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  16. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 12 - The Award
    8.1/10(481 votes)

    S1:E12

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Michael Landon

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  17. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 16 - Doctor's Lady
    7.9/10(453 votes)

    S1:E16

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

    Director:Lewis Allen
    Writers:Arthur Heinemann, Ann Beckett

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  18. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 17 - Plague
    7.9/10(490 votes)

    S1:E17

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writers:Michael Landon, William Keys

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  19. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 21 - Survival
    7.9/10(436 votes)

    S1:E21

    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:Unknown

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  20. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 6 - If I Should Wake Before I Die
    7.7/10(572 votes)

    S1:E6

    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:Harold Swanton

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  21. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 19 - Child of Pain
    7.3/10(454 votes)

    S1:E19

    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

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  22. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 5 - The Love of Johnny Johnson
    7.1/10(551 votes)

    S1:E5

    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:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Gerry Day

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  23. Little House on the Prairie Season 1 Episode 23 - Founder's Day
    6.9/10(428 votes)

    S1:E23

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

    Director:William F. Claxton
    Writers:Ward Hawkins, John Hawkins, Byron Twiggs

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"A Harvest of Friends" is the best rated episode of "Little House on the Prairie" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 839 votes. Directed by Michael Landon and written by John Hawkins, William Putman, it aired on 9/11/1974. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Country Girls".