Ep 14. The Lord is My Shepherd (2)

In season 1 episode 14 of Little House on the Prairie, titled "The Lord is My Shepherd (2)," the Ingalls family continues to deal with the aftermath of their beloved family dog Jack's death. Laura is particularly devastated by the loss and is having trouble understanding why God would allow such pain to happen.

Meanwhile, Charles is struggling to keep the farm afloat as he deals with a drought and a lack of income. He decides to take on some odd jobs in town, including digging a well for a wealthy landowner, to try and make ends meet. However, he soon learns that the landowner has some unsavory intentions and must make a difficult decision about how far he is willing to go to provide for his family.

The episode also explores the relationship between Mary and Adam, the new teacher in town who is blind. Mary is initially hesitant to get close to Adam, but he proves himself to be kind, intelligent, and capable, even in the face of his disability. Mary and Adam's connection is tested when they attend a church service together and encounter some prejudice from other members of the community.

Throughout the episode, the Ingalls family turns to their faith for guidance and comfort. They attend church and participate in a hymn sing, where Laura comes to a new understanding of the power of God's love. Charles also has a heart-to-heart conversation with the town's preacher, who reminds him that God never gives us more than we can handle.

"The Lord is My Shepherd (2)" is a powerful episode that grapples with themes of faith, loss, and community. The script is well-written and the performances from the cast are particularly strong, with Melissa Gilbert's portrayal of Laura's grief being a standout. The episode also features beautiful cinematography that captures both the majesty and austerity of the Kansas landscape.

Overall, this episode is a poignant reminder of the importance of faith and perseverance in even the most challenging of times. Little House on the Prairie fans and newcomers alike will find much to appreciate in this thoughtful and moving installment of the classic television series.