Little House on the Prairie (1974) s01e06 Episode Script

1
It's Christmas Eve ♪
And the weather's perfect for reindeer ♪
Santa and his reindeer
Are gonna love the snow ♪
That's not a real song.
Maybe he'll bring me
A better slingshot ♪
And bring Mary some old book ♪
She'd love that ♪
Or maybe we'll get lots of toys ♪
Christmas isn't just about presents.
I know. It's also about food.
-Please don't start singing about that.
-I wish you'd tell us what we're having.
Well, you know your pa
is out hunting for a turkey.
Miss Henderson's coming.
She's likely to bring a wonderful dessert.
Dr. Tann said a patient
gave him some fresh cheese.
Mr. Edwards thinks he knows
where to find some potatoes.
-And maybe Caleb will bring something.
-Probably peppermint sticks.
They're your favorite.
Remember last year
when we had pumpkin pie on Christmas,
and we each got three slices?
We don't have any pumpkins.
Christmas on the prairie
might look a little different.
Dinner, presents…
But we're all together.
And that's what counts.
That's not a turkey.
What?
I hardly see the end
of my rifle out there.
Felt lucky to get this jackrabbit.
That's all right, Pa.
Our guests are bringing food.
I'm not sure
anyone will feel safe
setting out in this weather.
Might just be us this year, Half Pint.
I promise we'll make it special.
-Santa can still make it, right?
-Absolutely.
More kidney beans,
more sauerkraut…
-We're fine on pickles.
-Oh, you can never have enough pickles.
Merry Christmas Eve!
We haven't seen you in ages.
Well, I've been back and forth to Oswego.
One of their doctors is away for a spell
visiting family on the East Coast.
-Smells like Christmas in here.
-Mm.
Caleb and I are making gingerbread cookies
to bring to the Ingalls'.
-I said I'm not going.
-He doesn't wanna see Mary.
-They've had some sort of falling-out.
-Well, he's in luck.
I came by early to say we ought to cancel.
It's coming down fast out there.
You wanna cancel Christmas
because of snow.
-Where is your holiday spirit?
-Main Street is frozen solid.
Ugh.
I was looking forward
to a proper celebration
and to seeing the Ingalls.
They haven't been around much either.
I'm gonna ride out to check on Caroline
if you'd like to send her a note
or some gingerbread.
Well, if it's too dangerous for us,
it's too dangerous for you.
Where would this town be
if our best doctor turns into an icicle?
-I'm our only doctor.
-Exactly.
Tell you what.
Stay for a cup of coffee,
and when the snow dies down,
we'll all go together.
I'm not going.
Hm.
-One cup.
-Good.
I wish you hadn't said that about Santa.
You think they won't notice in the morning
when all the presents are handmade?
Who says Santa
doesn't bring homemade presents?
I do wish I'd picked up
a few small things from the store
when I was in town last week.
On credit?
Only until the next payment
makes its way from Wisconsin.
We've been waiting on
that payment for six weeks.
Sh.
I think the girls are old enough
to know the truth.
Even when the money does come in,
we'll have to scrimp and save to have
enough left for a plow in the spring.
I know.
We shouldn't have bought
the glass windows.
Those windows are a thing of beauty,
and you deserve beauty in your life.
The Gustafsons are good people.
They're good for the payments.
I'm not ready for the girls
to know about those worries.
I'm not ready for them
to stop believing in Christmas magic.
-Is everything all right?
-Everything's fine.
Why don't you and Laura
take over the decorations?
Laura,
your sister's going to help you
with the tree so your ma can lie down.
-We can tie bows on the branches.
-I'm going to make paper dolls.
Well, I like to be precise.
Very precise.
You've made two.
Oh. How many have you made?
Twelve.
Not that it seems
like there will be anywhere to bring them.
Yeah.
You were right.
I would have been lost out there.
Well, hopefully your brother
likes gingerbread.
He does.
But Samuel's visiting
our parents in Nicodemus.
-Hm.
-We trade off Christmases.
It was my turn to hold down the fort,
so it'll just be me and Caleb.
Unless maybe you'd like to stay.
We could raid the store,
open up some treats
that I usually only keep for selling,
have a little picnic.
I, uh…
I shouldn't.
You shouldn't help us
have a good Christmas?
Well, I would hate
to see these cookies go to waste.
I mean, especially this one. Perfect.
Where's Pa? I wanna show him my work.
Your father's outside
fussing with the horses again.
I'm making bows out of Mary's old dress.
Those aren't even.
Ma, look. I'm decorating Jack.
Laura, let her rest.
Our brother isn't even here yet,
and he's already spoiling our fun.
We should use these.
I made those with Good Eagle.
They're not yours. You can't use them.
I don't want to use them.
I thought the family could use them.
Why don't you use your ribbons instead?
-You don't have to be a baby about it.
-I'm not being a baby.
Girls…
Pa, tell Laura
she should share her beadwork.
Tell her not to take my things.
I think we should take a break
and make some popcorn.
While shepherds watched
Their flock by night ♪
All seated on the ground ♪
The angel of the Lord came down ♪
And glory… ♪
Found the ribbon.
Mm-hm.
Caleb! Dinnertime!
Here.
Caleb, everything's all set up! Come see!
He wasn't happy
when we were going to the Ingalls',
and now he's not happy
that we're not going.
I just want him to have a proper holiday.
I'll talk to him.
Yeah. Man-to-man.
Dinner is served.
I'd rather finish my work.
Well, I'm pretty sure
your boss will give you the time off.
Wait till you see all the fine things
she pulled off the shelves to try.
Oysters, Vienna sausage, Turkish delight…
I wish she hadn't have done all this,
turned everything into a party.
What, you don't like parties?
Christmas is for families, not people who
happen to be stuck together in the snow.
Hm.
You know, the last time I celebrated
Christmas was three years ago,
a year after the war.
My family was so excited to have me back
that they hosted a big party.
Fancy food, dozens of guests…
But, uh, I had a hard time
watching everybody… be so happy
when I knew how much
suffering there was out there.
I didn't feel like I belonged in such
a happy place, so I left the party,
turned up for a volunteer shift
at the hospital.
I wanted to work instead of celebrate.
It was hard on my family.
They didn't understand.
You and I have a hard time with Christmas,
but I know it means a lot to Emily,
so you think maybe the two of us
can try our best to enjoy it, play along,
for Emily's sake?
I can do that.
Let's each tell a story
about our favorite Christmas.
Mine would probably be the one
right after your mother and I got married.
-We got snowed in that year too, and
-Charles.
You don't think that was a good Christmas?
Well, what about you, Half Pint?
You always have a story to tell.
My favorite Christmas was two years ago
when Grandma and Grandpa
invited everyone for a dance.
The whole room was filled
with stomping boots and swishing skirts.
And you played the fiddle,
and Uncle George
pulled Grandma onto the dance floor,
and the two of them danced the jig.
And you played faster and faster,
and the two of them danced faster
and faster, until finally,
Uncle George stopped
and bowed to Grandma
to show she had won.
Uncle George knew how
to dance a jig, didn't he?
I guess we've never had
a Christmas with just us before.
I guess we haven't.
Well, let's have our own dance.
I think it was a tie.
Which should we open next?
-What if we open both? Don't tell Samuel.
-Okay.
Mm!
That's a good trick.
You try it.
No, thank you. I prefer to keep
my eating and athletics separate.
Will this be the seventh time
we've heard this song or the eighth?
Hm.
You really love Christmas.
Mm.
When I was little,
my parents didn't have their shop yet.
They sold dry goods out of a stagecoach.
We'd spend every day in a new place,
and every December,
kids would come running to meet us
when we pulled into town,
looking to see what new, wonderful things
we brought them from miles away.
That's what I love about this job.
It's like getting to be Santa Claus.
I'd give the whole store away for free if
I didn't have Samuel keeping an eye on me.
You like adding magic into people's lives.
-Just promise me one thing.
-What?
You won't make us listen
to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" again.
I'm hungry from all that dancing.
Maybe Santa will bring white sugar
so we can have cake and pie.
Maybe.
I didn't have sugar on my wish list,
but sometimes Santa brings surprises
that are better than what I wished for.
You know what I think you should focus
on enjoying this Christmas?
The fact that we have
a roof over our heads,
a warm fire to sit by,
and plenty of food to eat.
That's every day, not just Christmas.
Yes, and that makes us fortunate.
Today's a day to appreciate
that good fortune.
How's it looking? Celestial?
Are we having money trouble?
That's not something
you need to worry about.
I wanna know if something's going on.
Maybe I can help.
I'm more worried about whatever's going on
with you and your sister.
Do you wanna tell me about it?
I know what you're gonna say.
Laura's younger, so it's my job
to find a way to forgive her,
to be a good role model
for how she should behave,
and help her have a good Christmas
because she loves Christmas
more than anything.
I could say I'm your father
and I know best…
But I'm not sure that's true anymore.
I don't know what it's like
to be the oldest sibling.
I know I always
used to idolize your Uncle Peter.
It must be a burden sometimes,
being the oldest.
I trust you to handle things with Laura
as you see fit and when you're ready.
I don't see it.
Well, I don't hide presents
in obvious places.
Maybe try looking upstairs.
You know, I must admit,
storm and all,
this is a fine Christmas Eve.
Oh, this is nothing.
You ought to see what I can do
when I have more than a few hours' notice.
Next year in Nicodemus?
Now, that'll be a real occasion.
My mother's an even better baker
than I am.
I hope you'll be there.
I don't mean to say
that I expect, uh…
I meant in a friendly capacity.
It's, uh, funny
because my wife loved Christmas.
As a matter of fact, the last time she
and I were together was Christmas Day.
I had walked out on
her holiday party the night before.
I just knew I didn't belong
in that home anymore.
I knew I didn't belong out east.
I wanted to be where I was needed.
And my wife didn't wanna go with me.
And so
our marriage ended.
Why didn't you tell me?
It's not something I'm proud of.
Well, that means you should be available
for Christmas next year.
You deserve someone
who hasn't already tried
to be a partner to somebody and failed.
What about you?
What do you deserve?
Don't you deserve a home
where you feel like you belong?
Isn't that what coming out here
was about for all of us?
Don't we all deserve a fresh start?
Found it!
-Uh…
-Uh…
Oh gosh. Emily…
These watercolors are so nice.
They're almost too nice to paint with.
Looks like the storm's died down.
I should probably go check on Caroline.
It'll be dark soon.
Yeah, I know,
which is why I should leave now. Uh…
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
I think that's the best rabbit stew
I've ever tasted.
I think this is turning out
to be a great Christmas.
I think so too.
I also heard a rumor
that your mother made a very tasty pie.
How about you girls do the dishes,
get dessert,
give your mother a chance
to rest up for another jig?
Another jig? Yes.
I think that was the best cornbread
you've ever made.
Thank you.
Do you wanna slice the pie?
You always do neater slices.
You can do them.
You can't still be mad about Caleb.
It was a hundred years ago.
And it wasn't even my fault.
It was Romanzy and Edith's fault.
They were the ones who said mean things.
Apologize to him for whatever you said,
and he'll forgive you,
just like you should be forgiving me
because it's Christmas.
This isn't about Caleb.
It's about you.
Everything is always about you.
Girls…
I do everything right,
and you're always the favorite.
Mr. Edwards likes you best.
Romanzy and Edith like you best.
Even Ma and Pa like you best.
I've worked all day to do
every single thing they've asked of me,
and all they care about is
if you're having a good Christmas.
Girls, I…
Ma?
The baby's coming.
I'm worried about the girls.
They'll be fine.
It's too early.
He shouldn't be coming for another month.
-Maybe you should go for Dr. Tann.
-I'm staying right here.
I've never done this
without my sisters.
I've never done this alone.
You're not alone.
I don't even know if I remember
how to take care of a newborn.
You'll remember. And if you don't,
we'll figure it out all over again.
Together.
-Maybe Dr. Tann will still come.
-Maybe he will.
You change your mind about that music?
-Will he be all right?
-Well, I hope so.
I think I owe you an apology.
For what?
All day, I've been pushing you
to celebrate.
I thought you didn't wanna go
to the Ingalls'
because of some argument with Mary, but…
It's more than that, isn't it?
Mary asked me about a rumor she heard
that my parents left me here on purpose.
I'm sure she didn't mean it. But it was…
It was wrong for her
to repeat such a thing.
No.
She was right.
My mother hated my father.
She said that he was
a mean drunk and a grifter.
But she didn't try to stop him
when he took me west to look for work.
He and I made it as far as Labette,
getting and losing ten jobs along the way.
And then, uh…
…one morning I woke up…
And he was gone.
I don't know if he got tired of me,
skipped town…
…or if he got drunk and drowned.
I am sorry.
That's more than anyone
your age should go through.
But I have a lot of trouble believing
your mother didn't want you.
She didn't keep me.
Well, I'll tell you
what I know for certain.
I am sorry
for how it happened, but…
You being out here on the prairie…
It's been a real gift to me.
You're all right.
You're doing great. Just breathe.
Keep breathing.
Aunt Polly had Cousin Charlie early,
and he came out big
and healthy and strong as an ox.
Ma will be fine.
The baby will be fine.
It's Christmas.
What if the baby hates me
as much as you do?
I don't hate you.
-Yes, you do.
-No.
I get annoyed with you.
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be
the good one or the perfect one.
You'll understand
once you're a big sister.
But I could never hate you.
Do you know
what my favorite Christmas was?
That one year
when the snow came up high enough
to cover the big tree stumps
at Grandma's house.
And we made that house out of snow
with snow tables and snow chairs.
And Ma bought us hot milk
with honey and gingerbread.
We wore the new mittens Aunt Ruby made us.
And we spent the whole day in there,
just us.
That's good.
I can't…
The wind and the snow got so bad
I couldn't see the road.
I was being foolish.
Yes, it was foolish
to put yourself in danger like that.
It was foolish to run away.
I know.
Sh.
-Is he all right?
-Is Ma all right?
Mary, Laura,
come and meet your new baby sister.
Sister?
We can name her Georgina.
I think we should name her Caroline.
Sh.
Hi, baby.
I like your little eyes.
I can't tell if they're blue or gray,
but I do know that they're perfect.
I like your little fingernails too.
I have to compliment you
on the excellent manners you've displayed
by letting your mother sleep in.
Hey.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
I guess Santa couldn't find us this year.
You wanted a boy.
Not at all.
It's been the privilege of my life
raising two brave, kind,
and thoughtful girls.
And she'll be wonderful too.
Just look at her.
She likes me.
You can talk to her too.
What do I talk about?
I've never known you
to be short on things to say.
Hi.
I'm Laura.
I think maybe
you were my surprise present.
-We don't have any presents for her.
-It's all right.
But it's her first Christmas.
I'll find something.
I think you're going to have
two excellent big sisters.
Can I look yet?
No, not yet.
Now.
Mary and I picked the reeds
for the back and seat.
And the bindings. See?
Oh…
Wow.
I don't think I've ever had
such a comfortable chair in all my life.
Hm.
What if we let these two get some sleep?
The three of us can open presents.
Thank you, Pa.
Thank you, Pa.
Remember to thank your ma
later too.
She stayed up a lot of late nights
to surprise you with these.
They're so pretty.
I have a present too, for the baby.
Thank you.
I thought
she might like the colors.
It's lovely.
We could use my ribbons
to hang it up in her basket
so she'll always have
something nice to look at.
Mr. Edwards!
Sweet potatoes as promised.
-And I figured I'd pick up your mail too.
-We thought you weren't coming.
Well, I would've been here yesterday,
but I ran into a man out
on the prairie stuck in the snowstorm.
Luckily, he had a bright red coat on.
That's how I spotted him.
-You saw Santa?
-I did.
Yeah. He was delivering presents
all with the help of his bison.
I spent all day yesterday taking him
to every homestead on his list.
And then, just as the sun sets,
he says to me,
"Do you know two girls
named Mary and Laura?"
"Mary and Laura Ingalls?"
I said, "Of course I do."
So, Santa asked me
if I could please
deliver these presents myself.
Thank you.
Santa thought you might need a place
to keep all those treasures
that catch your eye.
-Thank you.
-Thank you.
I changed my mind.
This is my favorite Christmas.
We have a surprise of our own.
May I present Miss Caroline Ingalls.
Caroline.
Now, that is an awful big name
for such a little thing.
I think I'll call you Carrie.
Mine has a penny in it!
So does mine.
I'm gonna buy peppermint sticks.
Everything all right?
Mm.
My sister sent us
the money we need for the plow.
I guess magic's real after all.
I guess so.
Hark, the herald angels sing ♪
Glory to the newborn King ♪
Peace on earth and mercy mild ♪
God and sinners reconciled ♪
Joyful all ye nations rise ♪
Join the triumph of the skies ♪
Merry Christmas.
With angelic host proclaim ♪
-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.
Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪
Hark, the herald angels sing… ♪
Ten fingers, ten toes,
two healthy lungs.
Glory to the newborn King ♪
Oh, you enjoy, then.
Well, good to know.
It's Christmastime,
and we're all full.
-Content?
-Yeah, she's snoring.
-Yes.
-How many have you had?
-Too many to count.
-It's Christmas.
He's so mad.
I love the ornaments
on the Christmas tree.
They look nice.
Remember when you…
The finest Christmas dinner
I've ever had.
Unbelievable. We've come a long way.
We've got a lot
of popcorn around the fire.
Yeah, well,
we're gonna be eating more.
We're gonna be eating…