The entertainment of today has gotten out of hand.
It’s next to impossible to find a TV show that keeps me engaged without an excess of violence, gore or drama.
Sometimes these things are a small element of a much bigger storyline, one single event to advance the plot as a whole. But more often than not, shows use what should be additions to the plot as complete replacements for it. Intense shootouts and endless cycles of gossip compensate for the lack of a thoughtful, character-driven story.
One show that immediately comes to mind is “Gossip Girl.” I know the literal focus of the show is gossip, but at a certain point it becomes so excessive and repetitive that it’s just not enjoyable to watch.
I’m not saying shows that have these things are bad, but they are surface-level. They gloss over the deep, meaningful relationships and lessons that I think elevate a show from just okay to truly great.
Because of this tendency of modern shows, I’ve found myself gravitating towards an older show, “Little House on the Prairie.”
I grew up watching it, and to this day, it’s still my favorite show. Not because of overcomplicated details or unnecessary effects but because of its simplicity, which is so rare. It’s based on the book series of the same name, in which author Laura Ingalls Wilder details her life moving west during the late 19th century. While Season 1 emphasizes on her family’s initial move and settlement into their new home in the small town of Walnut Grove, MN, the story continues over the course of nine total seasons, diving deeper into the experiences of all the different characters.
These characters are one of the reasons why it’s such a good show. The focus is not just Laura but also the entire Ingalls family. Though their family changes and grows as the show goes on, in the earlier seasons it includes Charles, Caroline, Mary, Carrie and their beloved dog Jack.
Charles, or Pa, supports his family with an admirable combination of strength and gentleness. He expects honest and good behavior from the Ingalls children, but he rarely gets angry when they fall short of this expectation. Instead, he teaches them so they learn to do better next time. He is fun and lighthearted, brightening their home with his lively fiddle.
Caroline, or Ma, contributes her kind and warm attitude to the family, carrying herself with grace and calmness. She is selfless, with there being countless times she sacrificed her own needs to meet those of her husband or daughters. Also, she is grateful and content with what they have, even if it’s not much. She almost never complains and this positive outlook uplifts her family when they go through hard times.
Much like her mother, Mary, the eldest child, is very kind and selfless. But beyond these traits, she is also incredibly smart. She is studious and holds herself to high standards. However, this academic ability doesn’t lead to arrogance or vanity. In fact, Mary is mature, polite, modest and respectful. She’s always ready to lend a helping hand, and her good-natured attitude makes her well-liked among most everyone she encounters.
Perhaps the most unconventional member of the Ingalls family, Laura is adventurous and outgoing. She spends a lot of time outside and is always up for a game of baseball or an afternoon of fishing. Her opinionated and principled attitude often gets her into trouble, but she continuously fights for what she believes is right. Despite this strong personality, she remains a very kind, down-to-earth person. She consistently presents her empathy to those around her, and always wants to understand what others are going through. Also, her creativity not only makes her a great writer but also a great problem solver, allowing her to face every obstacle head on.
Together, the Ingalls are everything a family should be. They respect and love one another deeply, and this emphasis on family is a highlight of the show. While there are many shows today that normalize and even glorify thrusting anger and frustration towards one’s family, this show does the exact opposite. It’s obvious even from the very first episode how loyal and close knit the bonds are between the Ingalls.
My favorite bond has to be the one Laura shares with Pa. He calls her “Half-pint,” and that endearing nickname tells you how sweet their relationship is. When Laura has a problem or a question, Pa is who she goes to first with it. Her trust in him is not misplaced, as he is very protective of her, seen especially when she falls in love with the man who would end up being her husband, Almanzo Wilder. Their relationship only gets stronger as the seasons progress, and it’s touching to see it flourish.
Another thing that stands out to me about these characters is their relatability. Despite Laura and Mary living well over a hundred years ago, I can resonate more with their experiences and feelings than I can with most of the depictions of teenagers in shows today. I think a big part of that is because their personalities don’t play into the teenage stereotypes that most modern media portrays. Most depictions of teenagers have very two-dimensional characterizations: they are either the popular, pretty cheerleader or the weird, nerdy nobody. There’s no crossover. “Euphoria,” for example, amplifies these roles to an extreme, unrealistic level. But what I love about “Little House on the Prairie” is that the characters aren’t confined to one lane. Yes, they are distinctly themselves, but their strengths and weaknesses don’t immediately define them as just one single, cliche role. Instead, their attributes are a gateway for growth, shaping them into well-rounded individuals that are much more realistic portrayals of an average person.
There are also less likable characters, like Harriet and Nellie Oleson – mother and daughter who share the same stuck up, often truly despicable behavior. But everyone in Walnut Grove adds something to the community, and by doing so, adds something irreplaceable to the show. Without any of the characters, good or bad, the show wouldn’t have its same heartfelt, inspiring tone.
This tone isn’t just developed through the characters, but through the plot as well. Though there are some storylines that continue across multiple episodes, for the most part each episode has its own plot. Something I love about the plot is that there is no conflict that seems forced. What I mean by that is there’s rarely an episode where the story is exaggerated. Both the joys and challenges feel natural and realistic. It’s impossible to choose one favorite episode, but one of my most rewatched is the first episode of Season 2, “The Richest Man in Walnut Grove.” In it, Mr. Hanson, the owner of a lumber mill, is forced to let Pa go after an expected profit from a big job doesn’t come through. This burdens the Ingalls financially, and Pa finds temporary jobs elsewhere to compensate. The rest of the family also find ways to help out: Ma and Laura grow vegetables to sell while Mary works as an apprentice to seamstress Mrs. Whipple. This episode teaches that true wealth is not found in one’s material possessions but in one’s love for each other.
These lessons are very common, with most episodes leaving the viewer with some kind of message. These messages are targeted against something negative like jealousy, greed, dishonesty, misjudgement, prejudice – the list could go on forever. These negative things are replaced by the positive values these messages advocate. I’ve already mentioned family, but others are integrity, teamwork, growth, obedience, responsibility and countless more. The biggest value that’s seen again and again is faith. The Ingalls are Christians, and their own ideals and beliefs directly translate into the values the show puts forth. While there are a few times a verse from the Bible is quoted, usually the role of faith is more subtle. It influences the decisions and actions of the characters, and witnessing that unfold is one of the most moving aspects of the show.
While other shows might have similar themes, I think what stands out about “Little House on the Prairie” is that yes, it does present them in a straightforward manner. But it also doesn’t oversimplify the themes to the point where they become cheesy. I watched it for the first time in elementary school, but even when I watch it now, as an 18-year-old, the script or story never feels dumbed down. Because of this, I would say that it’s more than family friendly; it’s family-oriented. It’s enjoyable for all ages, and the heartfelt nature of it feels as if it was made to watch with those you love most.
It’s a show that I genuinely believe can bring people together, which is something that I just don’t find more modern shows doing.
So if you haven’t watched “Little House on the Prairie,” I strongly urge you to do so. It might not be as fast-paced or action-packed as the shows you’re used to, but it is just as if not more impactful. I hope that through its beautiful simplicity it becomes as special to you as it is to me.