Ep 26. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (1)

In the sixth season finale of Little House on the Prairie, titled "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (1)," Laura Ingalls is thrilled when a new boy, John Carter, arrives in Walnut Grove and starts showing her attention. She has had a crush on him for a while, and her feelings only grow stronger when he invites her to a dance.

Laura's excitement is dampened when she overhears John talking to his friend, saying that he only asked Laura to the dance because there was no one else available. Hurt and embarrassed, Laura decides not to go to the dance after all. Meanwhile, Nellie Oleson tries to get her parents to buy her a fancy dress for the dance, but they refuse, saying that it is too expensive.

At the dance, Laura's friends try to cheer her up, but she is still feeling down. John shows up with a girl named Miranda, and Laura is crushed. She tries to hide her feelings, but eventually runs out of the dance in tears.

The next day, John comes to see Laura and apologizes for his behavior. He reveals that he actually does like her, but was too afraid to admit it. Laura forgives him, and they start dating. Nellie, who has been spying on them, is furious that Laura has a boyfriend when she does not.

Meanwhile, Carrie Ingalls finds a baby bird and becomes attached to it. She tries to take care of it, but her attempts are unsuccessful and the bird dies. Carrie is devastated, but her family comforts her and tells her that she did the best she could.

Towards the end of the episode, Laura and John go on a picnic together. They begin talking about their future and what they want to do with their lives. Laura reveals that she dreams of becoming a teacher, but John tells her that women cannot really be teachers. This upsets Laura, and she starts to question whether or not John is really the right person for her.

The episode ends with Laura and John's future uncertain, and Nellie still seething with jealousy over Laura's newfound happiness. Will Laura be able to pursue her dreams and maintain her relationship with John? Find out in the second part of the finale, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (2)."