Something big was about to happen that would make history in Plum Creek. That's right, the Ingallses were getting a kitchen! Charles did all the layout and frame work, but initial construction would have to wait due to a telegram delivered by Doc Baker (must have taken a second job), telling about a job on the railroad. Hanson had put in the bid and won, so Charles had to leave at once. Poor timing, now the Ingalls had a big, gaping hole in the side of their house, and what's more, that night it poured rain. But the next morning, to the family's surprise, there was a young man out back continuing the work on the kitchen. Chris Nelson's his name, drifting's his game. With no place to call home, he was willing to finish the job in exchange for room and board. Chris seemed to be a nice man, and a very hard worker. He got along great with the girls, Caroline found him charming, and what's more, he even knew how to play the violin, and he even accompanied them to church on Sunday to hear Reverend Alden speak. Chris was considered part of the family. But for some, this may turn out to be a curse in disguise...the some being Mary. It began on the schoolyard when big mouth Nellie began teasing Laura and Mary about Chris possibly moving in on their mother...these rumors were started by big mouth Harriett. It runs in the family; well, sir, Nellie mentioned monkey business a few times too many, resulting in Mary slapping her upside her head. You know you've crossed the line when the meek one hits you. Go, Mary! Well, the problems didn't stop there, because when they get home, Mary sees Chris wearing one of her pa's shirts, and not just any shirt, a special one she'd got just for him. Infuriated, Mary confronted her mother, but Caroline put her in her place by saying Chris fell off the roof and injured himself, tearing his shirt in the process, and since he had no others, she let him borrow one of Charles'.
Now if you ask me, I think Chris was takin' a shine to Caroline Ingalls. But to her, he was strictly the help...and a friend. Mary catches the two of them down at the creek, but what she didn't see was Chris stopping Caroline from falling in. Harmless. But then when Charles stops home to see the family before heading out again, Chris stays hidden for some reason. Well the feeling of separation anxiety from her pa was getting to Mary (thankfully she doesn't find an imaginary twin and have dopey adventures like Carrie does next season), and she thinks Chris was getting just a bit too friendly on her ma, so she marches to the guest house and orders Chris out. Although he felt he was innocent and he is also the kind of man who allows children to boss him around because he's a spineless worm, Chris agreed to leave by morning. When she awakens, Caroline finds Chris gone, and Mary fesses up to what she'd done. Angry words are exchanged, Caroline states firmly that no man ever has or ever will come between she and Charles, and Mary was as wrong as possible for believing that. So, they hug and make up and go search for Chris. They find him, but he decides not accompany them back. It was time to be movin' on.... to Oleson's Mercantile, because they needed a handyman now. So when Charles gets home, he and the rest of the family relish their brand new kitchen and all feel closer than they've ever felt before.
I think this episode was pretty good. It was a good character builder for Mary, and see what a temper she's developing, which we would see again in "Whisper Country". It's nice we get to see her get physical for once, and show that she has indeed inherited the Ingalls' overreaction gene. Sure her intentions were good at protecting her parents, but it's obvious she underestimated her mother, because we've seen how tough Caroline can be. Was it gumption, raw emotion, or perhaps PMS? Good episode, though not one of the best, it's still worth seeing.
Now if you ask me, I think Chris was takin' a shine to Caroline Ingalls. But to her, he was strictly the help...and a friend. Mary catches the two of them down at the creek, but what she didn't see was Chris stopping Caroline from falling in. Harmless. But then when Charles stops home to see the family before heading out again, Chris stays hidden for some reason. Well the feeling of separation anxiety from her pa was getting to Mary (thankfully she doesn't find an imaginary twin and have dopey adventures like Carrie does next season), and she thinks Chris was getting just a bit too friendly on her ma, so she marches to the guest house and orders Chris out. Although he felt he was innocent and he is also the kind of man who allows children to boss him around because he's a spineless worm, Chris agreed to leave by morning. When she awakens, Caroline finds Chris gone, and Mary fesses up to what she'd done. Angry words are exchanged, Caroline states firmly that no man ever has or ever will come between she and Charles, and Mary was as wrong as possible for believing that. So, they hug and make up and go search for Chris. They find him, but he decides not accompany them back. It was time to be movin' on.... to Oleson's Mercantile, because they needed a handyman now. So when Charles gets home, he and the rest of the family relish their brand new kitchen and all feel closer than they've ever felt before.
I think this episode was pretty good. It was a good character builder for Mary, and see what a temper she's developing, which we would see again in "Whisper Country". It's nice we get to see her get physical for once, and show that she has indeed inherited the Ingalls' overreaction gene. Sure her intentions were good at protecting her parents, but it's obvious she underestimated her mother, because we've seen how tough Caroline can be. Was it gumption, raw emotion, or perhaps PMS? Good episode, though not one of the best, it's still worth seeing.
