In the eighth and final episode of Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot, “This Is Now,” the theme is “Dream Big,” and that’s exactly what the Ingalls are doing. Warning: Spoilers ahead for Episode 8 of Little House on the Prairie.
Mary (Skywalker Hughes) and Laura (Alice Halsey) scheme to raise the money Ma (Crosby Fitzgerald) and Pa (Luke Bracey) need to pay off the debt at the general store by winning events at the upcoming Founder’s Day fair, unaware of the looming mortgage payment hanging over their parents’ heads. Meanwhile, Charles is so confident everything will work out that he starts making plans to build a bigger house.
For the moment, everything seems dandy in the Ingalls’ world. The corn is as high as their hopes, and everyone is all smiles.
At the fair, William Mitchell confirms that the Osage are riding out now that the treaty is signed.
Dr. George Tann (Jocko Sims) has left town and may or may not have returned to his wife, much to the dismay of shopkeeper Emily Henderson (Barrett Doss). He does eventually catch up with her to confirm he sent divorce papers home, but his wife refused. He left town to secure his divorce. The two talk it out, and George explains he didn’t expect to fall in love again.
Charles gets a bit of bad news when he finds out that the family they leased their old farm to is dealing with a crisis, and won’t be sending money for at least a year. The Ingalls family is in debt, and with the girls’ needs growing each day, the news couldn’t come at a worse time. Caroline and Charles consider repossessing the land, but it means Charles going back, and Caroline can’t be alone. She decides to take a teaching job at the new school, and perhaps Charles can get odd jobs around town, which is now booming with growth. They will try to get by.
The girls win the footrace, and Mary wins the needlepoint contest, but thanks to the James sisters, Laura loses the slingshot competition. Mary is to take part in the essay competition, but she loses track of time consoling a distraught Caleb (Kowen Cadorath). Laura takes her place and gives a heartfelt speech on what Independence (the town and the word) means to her. Unfortunately, she loses the contest, but Pa reassures her. “That was the best speech I ever heard. And the truest,” Charles tells Laura.
Eric Zachanowich/Netflix
Caroline finds out that the teaching position was filled. And besides, “You know teaching’s for unmarried women,” says Jemma James (Mary Holland)
Now that the treaty is signed, Charles talks to Eli James (Michael Hough) about railroad work, but that is far away. Mr. Edwards (Warren Christie) comes to rescue with the offer of cattle work, as long as Charles helps him build a house so he can get settled. Finally. Looks like he wants to make Independence his home.
How does Little House on the Prairie Season 1 end?
All seems peachy keen with the townsfolk during the dance when two men get to hollering outside as Russell Kind (Ryan Robbins) screams at Eli, punching him in the face. “He’s a snake! He lured us all here to watch us get thrown out of our homes,” Russell tells Charles. Now that the deal with the Osage has gone through, the government will kick all the newbies off their claims unless they pay up in the next two weeks. The Homestead Act isn’t any good in Independence now that the government bought the land from the Osage; they want a return on their investment. “Eli and his railroad sold us a lie! And now we’re left with the bill,” explains Russell to Charles.
The government wants $1.50 an acre, and for Charles, this is an impossible ask. Anyone who doesn’t have it will be kicked off the land by the marshals. As thunder rumbles in the background, Charles realizes what this means for his family. Eli still offers to make Charles a foreman on the railroad; all he has to do is leave his family for a year. He offers his hand to shake on it…
And Charles leaves it hanging in the air, disgusted with the man.
Why do the Ingalls have to move?
Caroline meets Charles outside, and he says they only have enough to buy 10 acres. They can sell all they have, and maybe buy more, or she can take the job. But they didn’t come all this way to be apart.
There is smoke in the distance. It’s a prairie fire.
The townfolks jump into action, digging a ditch to protect the town. And just when it seems to envelop the town, the wind shifts. The fire dies down, but although the town is spared, there is some loss.
Charles and the family return home to find most of their crop destroyed. Now with no job, no money, and no crop, the Ingalls family must begin again. Caroline and Charles decide to leave Independence. The girls offer Charles the money they got from the contests, but alas, it won’t help. They are in despair.
The Ingalls family shares a final meal with their friends before they leave the next day, sad they have to leave all they built behind, from the house to the friendships. Mary shares a first kiss with Caleb, and Laura promises to write to Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts).
How does the finale set up Season 2?
The next morning, the Ingalls clan heads out, leaving their little house behind and riding off on their covered wagon. But as they head out, they are met by John Edwards, who decides to join them, much to the delight of all the Ingalls. And he has an idea on where to go next: “My wife’s cousin lives in Minnesota. Town called Walnut Grove. Husband owns a store there. Heard the land is good and the people are kind.”
Edwards shows the Ingalls family a sketch of the Oleson General Store in Walnut Grove. As everyone smiles, Charles looks to his friend and nods, “Lead the way.”
And thus ends Season 1 of Little House on the Prairie, setting up the second season in which the Ingalls family hopefully find their forever home in a little town called Walnut Grove.
Little House on the Prairie, Now Streaming, Netflix