It's the return of John Junior Sanderson...again. Out of the Blue, Mary receives a letter from her estranged fiancé in Chicago. Letting her teenage emotions take control, Mary mopes around the little house wishing she could visit Chicago...John Junior. Coincidentally, Charles is filling in as the local representative for the Grange at a convention in Chicago.  And while a free trip to Chicago sounds like fun to Caroline, she ultimately decides to give her seat up for Mary.  As well as gift Mary a dress for which Mary can attend a cotillion.  And what a trip!  From the fancy upgrades on the train to a hotel suite that could house the Little House ( plus, there are two separate bedroom with ensuite bathrooms), this trip is extravagant.  Mary does reunite with John Junior and is introduced to his Special friend Wesley Cox, who seems to always be around.  Meanwhile, Charles is slowly learning that the Grange he has always pride himself being a member of is not all it seems: Libations, debauchery, Fancy Ladies, buying votes.  It's enough to make this small town Farmer ready to head back to the small town.  Mary, also is finding out that things are not what they seem after finally confessing she loves John Junior.  Despite all the elegance and luxuries, Charles and Mary both know it's all just a facade and they are ready to get back to honest Walnut Grove.  How many times is Mary going to get to travel  by train somewhere? What choice words will Charles be having to share with the actually grange representative of his district?  Will this be the last time we hear from John Junior Sanderson?

Upon returning home from Newton/New Deadwood at the end of last season things seem to be as they were.  But this is the prairie and things never are just as they seem. A new resident has shown up in Walnut Grove, Kizia Horn, and she is living it up in a house with no walls...in fact she is living in the deserted house root cellar.  Which is making some of the residents feel a little unsure of the situation.  This of course is led by Harriet Oleson. Meanwhile, back at Plum Creek, Jack is acting a little unusual, a little run down, a little tired and sadly, passes away.  Laura is now living her life without he bestest friend.  And Charles seems to think the best solution is...A new pet. #toosoon. While Laura is dealing with her lose and the Town is wondering what to do about Kizia, we're also introduced to Jonathan Garvey.  Why?  I'm not sure just yet. And he helps to supply the a bit of humor for today's episode.  He also seems to be the only adult who is giving Kizia a chance.  And, Mr. Oleson spends part of the episode inebriated. Will Laura find a way to accept having a new dog in her life?  Does Nellie Oleson realize that she will never be an actress? Should Carrie be allowed to help prepare any more food?

The scat is about to hit the fan.   The quiet, little, affordable town of Newton is transformed overnight into New Deadwood. And it is no longer a safe place to be. In fact, things out at Shadow Creek are not as safe either.  However, this doesn't get Charles to pack up his family and head back home to Walnut Grove.  Instead he packs up the family and moves them into expanding, loud, and unaffordable place that Newton has become. And just when it couldn't get worse...Caroline starts running a school.  The cautionary tale of Zachariah has come to fruition: People change from Gold. It's only after a very grueling day that Charles decides it is time to head back to Plum Creek.  Is this where Laura's Childhood ends?  How much did Charles and Mr.Edwards actually make from their claims?  What new adventures await us upon returning to Walnut Grove?  

When it rains it pours and in the case of Walnut Grove...it's been raining for TWO months.  To try and make ends meet Mr. Edwards has a plan: the Ingalls and the Edwards/Snider/Sanderson troupe leave Walnut Grove, head East into the Dakota territory to pan for Gold.  Along the way we meet the Griffin and Delano families who are more than happy to assist and join the caravan on their way.  Laura and Carl meet an old hermit who has some wisdom to share on the affects gold can have on people.  He is speaking from experience.  Will we ever see a map on LHOTP that shows the real location of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota?  Does a covered wagon have really good sound insulation that it can drown out the sound of rainfall?  Do you think that Seth Bullock and Al Swearengen were in Deadwood the same times the Ingallas and Edwards/Snider/Sanderson passed through?

Elmer Dobkins is a shy young kid attending the Walnut Grove school who is a few years behind everyone else in school.  Which is the main reason he is picked on/teased/bullied by the older kids.  And just like Carrie White, Elmer Dobkins soon finds himself being nominated for something he never wanted: Class President.  After witnessing how his son is treated by his classmates, Elmer's Father tells him to withdraw despite Elmer wanting to now make an attempt at trying to win.  It all comes down to speeches, votes, and little bit of election history proving that a single vote can make a difference.  How many Bullies live in the Hero township area?  Will Laura be a successful campaign manager if her spelling is usually incorrect?  What other crops, in addition to corn, are being held in the Ingalls Soddy pantry/air BnB?

Anna Gilberg, a young girl with a stutter, is one person Nellie can't seem to leave alone.  Out of anger in regards to Nellie's treatment of Anna and possibly her own disappointment about her Birthday present, Laura steals a music box from Nellie Oleson's room.  Eventually caught with the music box by Nellie, Laura promises her servitude, once again, and tries to find a way out of the trouble she's in.   Olga, Ginny, Anna....What is Laura's obsession with helping Blonde hair, Blue-eyed girls? Why does it feel as though there was too much crammed into this episode?  How many doll houses does Nellie Oleson really need?         

Solomon Henry has only one desire and that's to get an education. Stowing away on a wagon, driven by Charles, Solomon arrives in Walnut Grove. It's a different world not only for Solomon Henry but also for the population of Walnut Grove....because Solomon Henry is the first Black person to arrive in Walnut Grove. Realizing his dreams of an education may not even lead to any opportunities, Solomon is left with a choice to either continue on this path for education or to head home and help out with the family farm.  How far did Solomon walk to get himself to Mankato?  Is Charles happy he is not the only guy at Plum Creek for the moment? If Laura is such a friendly person....why do all of her new friends end up disappearing?  

What starts as a surprise birthday party for Charles turns into something more dire when Mary takes a gnarly fall inside the barn.  And she is eventually sent to Rochester for a surgery.  A simple procedure becomes more difficult when complications arise in Mary's recovery. With Mr. Edwards by his side, Charles makes his way to a Tunneling camp where he finds work that pays him really well. Blinded to the world around him, Charles is determined to make sure Mary gets the BEST CARE POSSIBLE which leads to Charles transforming into someone/something horrendous and trapped inside a mountain. Will Charles's actions and behavior towards his precious Mary have sealed his fate?  Will the Rochester hospital find a better solution for financial repayment plans for its patients and their families? Should Caroline consider opening her own laundry service back in Walnut Grove?               

Amelia Stokes, for the last twelve years, has been working as a teacher on the Reservation, married a Sioux man and had a child.  But her father, Jeremey Stokes, doesn't want that information to get out when she returns to Walnut Grove. This is when Amelia's son, Spotted Eagle, is given a new name, Joseph Stokes and told to be like everyone else.  However, he isn't like everyone else making him an easy target for this week's antagonist, Seth Johnson.  As Spotted Eagle navigates this new world he's been thrown into and tries to find a way to connect with his Grandfather, things get a little turbulent.  It isn't until Jeremey Stokes witnesses Spotted Eagle stand up for himself, despite circumstances, that he realizes how much he himself has to learn and grow.  Will Amelia Stokes ever get back to teaching? Does Laura have a new fishing buddy with Spotted Eagle?  How did I never notice that Charles was left handed?