Ep 13. The Faith Healer

The Faith Healer is the thirteenth episode of the sixth season of the popular drama series Little House on the Prairie, which first aired on January 20, 1980. The episode focuses on the character of Adam Kendall (played by Linwood Boomer), who has been paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident. When Adam hears about a faith healer named Mr. Haney (played by John McLiam), who claims to have the power to cure people with his touch, he becomes excited about the possibility of regaining his mobility and sets off to meet him.

Meanwhile, in Walnut Grove, Mary Ingalls Kendall (played by Melissa Sue Anderson) is struggling to take care of their farm and their two young children on her own, while also trying to support her husband emotionally through his difficult journey. She is skeptical of the faith healer and worries that Adam is setting himself up for disappointment.

As Adam travels to meet Mr. Haney, he meets a young boy named Wendell (played by Eric Scott) who is also seeking a cure from the faith healer for a hand injury. They team up and travel together, encountering dubious characters along the way who try to take advantage of their desperation.

When Adam finally meets Mr. Haney, he is taken aback by the man's rough and aggressive manner. Despite feeling uncomfortable, Adam allows Mr. Haney to touch him, but nothing happens. Disappointed and angry, Adam confronts Mr. Haney, who insists that it was Adam's lack of faith that prevented the healing from taking place.

Back in Walnut Grove, Mary receives a letter from Adam describing his encounter with Mr. Haney and his disappointment at not being healed. She realizes that Adam needs her support more than ever and sets out on a journey to find him.

When she finally reaches Adam and Wendell, Mary's arrival brings a sense of calm and comfort to the group. As they make their way back home, they encounter Mr. Haney again, who is revealed to be a fraud after being caught in a lie. Adam finally comes to terms with his paralysis and realizes that he can live a full and happy life despite his limitations.

The Faith Healer is a powerful episode that explores themes of faith, hope, and the human spirit. It showcases the strength and resilience of the characters in the face of adversity and highlights the importance of family and community in times of struggle. With its touching storytelling and powerful performances, it is a standout episode in the beloved Little House on the Prairie series.