Ep 18. Plague

In Little House on the Prairie's first season episode 18, titled "Plague," the Ingalls family and Walnut Grove community fall victim to a devastating sickness. The episode opens on an idyllic winter scene of Laura and Mary out on the frozen pond ice skating with their friends. But the moment is fleeting, as we soon see the doctor entering the Ingalls' home and warning Charles and Caroline that there is a fever spreading in town. Caroline immediately sets to work making home remedies, while Charles calls upon his friend Mr. Edwards to pick up necessities and medicine from the nearest town.

As the community begins to succumb to the sickness, the effects are felt both within families and between neighbors. Mr. Oleson, the owner of the town's mercantile and father to Laura's nemesis Nellie, refuses to close the store and unwittingly spreads the sickness through his interactions with customers. Meanwhile, Mrs. Garvey, the school teacher and widow of Caroline's best friend, is gravely ill and in need of medical attention that isn't readily available. The townsfolk take it upon themselves to help each other as best they can, but the illness is relentless in its spread and severity.

The Ingalls family is hit particularly hard, with Mary and Laura both falling ill. Caroline faces the grueling task of being the sole caretaker for her sick daughters, compounded by her own fear and exhaustion. Charles takes it upon himself to care for the other townsmen who have been struck by the sickness, helping them to their homes and providing support as best he can. He and Mr. Edwards go out to collect supplies again, but the trip takes on added danger as they are forced to return home on foot in a blizzard.

Despite the grim circumstances, the episode still manages to provide moments of levity and hope. We see the Ingalls girls helping each other through their illness with little acts of kindness like offering their last sips of broth or sharing a blanket. Mr. Edwards has a touching moment where he breaks down in tears and prays, in the face of having lost so many people he loves to sickness. And, in a poignant scene towards the end of the episode, a woman who had been ostracized by the community prior to the outbreak due to her reputation as a "fallen woman" is welcomed with open arms by her neighbors when she falls ill like everyone else.

"Plague" is a tough episode to watch simply because of how devastating the sickness is to the characters we've grown attached to. But it's also a powerful showcase of the strength of community in the face of hardship. It's a reminder that, when push comes to shove, people will band together to help each other through tough times.