During the pandemic, many people tuned in to shows that helped them get through the uncertainty and bleak times. Shows such as Sex And The City, Friends, Scrubs and more enjoyed a rejuvenation, with new, younger fans discovering these gems.
Another show that enjoyed this revival was the 1970s staple Little House On The Prairie.
With 204 episodes aired between 1974 and 1983, the show became a TV institution, and catapulted stars like Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert to international fame.
It is not surprising then that Netflix has decided to ride on the current nostalgia train and release this eight-episode reboot.
In this iteration, we are introduced to the Ingalls family as they ride in their stagecoach, leaving the comforts of their home in Wisconsin and heading to Kansas in search of a fresh start as they are promised land out in the West.
Pa aka Charles (Luke Bracey), is optimistic about their new life while Ma aka Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald), seems to harbour some regret about leaving their cushy life behind.
Daughters Mary (Skywalker Hughes) is sad while Laura (Alice Halsey) is hopeful about the next chapter of their lives.
The journey gets off to a rough start when, upon crossing a creek, the family and their horses nearly drown, and their beloved dog Jack goes missing.
In the town of Independence, the family meets a variety of people who help with their settlement. There’s the kind doctor, the pleasant general store owner, the railroad executive and his snooty wife, and more.
However, these characters are, sadly, not given a chance to be developed as most of the series is concentrated on the Ingalls family. While they are seen in every other episode, these characters are merely there to facilitate the Ingalls' storyline.
Which is a waste, considering some of them do have interesting backstories (only in the Christmas episode are the doctor and the general store owner given more screen time through a possible romantic storyline).
In the last decade or so, Hallmark has managed to build the popularity of its TV show When Calls The Heart – now with two spin-offs, When Hope Calls and the Hope Valley: 1874 – and the success of the show lies in the storylines of the various characters and not just the focus on one particular person or family.
But after watching all eight episodes of Little House, it becomes clear why not much attention was put on the other characters.
After all, this particular series is based on the third semi-autobiographical book by Laura Ingalls Wilder where she recounts her family's life at the frontier.
But back to this show.
In an age where TV shows have to have a unique theme (Pluribus, Severance), feature violence (The Boys) or deliver biting comedy (Hacks, The Studio), Little House thrives on being a simple TV show telling the story of how a family can get through any hardship if they stick together.
Other themes explored in this series include sibling rivalry, friendship, compassion and inclusivity.
Eleven-year-old Alice totally embodies Laura with all her spunkiness and charm.
She carries the show with strong support from 14-year-old Skywalker, who has the task of being the foil to Laura’s antics.
While Bracey and Fitzgerald have the right chemistry as Pa and Ma, the one actor that steals the show is Warren Christie, who plays the troubled John Edwards who becomes close to the Ingalls.
His vulnerability and pain show through, even though they are often hidden beneath the cowboy hat and full beard.
Netflix has greenlit a second season, so fans of Little House On The Prairie can look forward to more adventures with the Ingalls.
Little House On The Prairie is available on Netflix.
Summary:
The reboot thrives on being a simple TV show telling the story of how a family can get through any hardship if they stick together.
