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Little House on the Prairie
S1.E17
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IMDbPro

Doctor's Lady

  • Episode aired Jan 22, 1975
  • TV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
455
YOUR RATING
Richard Bull, Katherine MacGregor, and Karl Swenson in Little House on the Prairie (1974)
DramaFamilyRomanceWestern

It's love at first sight between Doc Baker and a beautiful, though much younger, Kate Thorvald, Harriet Oleson's visiting niece; but when Kate happily consents to become his wife, Doc's conc... Read allIt's love at first sight between Doc Baker and a beautiful, though much younger, Kate Thorvald, Harriet Oleson's visiting niece; but when Kate happily consents to become his wife, Doc's concerned friends wonder if the May-December romance and the harsh reality of sharing a prairi... Read allIt's love at first sight between Doc Baker and a beautiful, though much younger, Kate Thorvald, Harriet Oleson's visiting niece; but when Kate happily consents to become his wife, Doc's concerned friends wonder if the May-December romance and the harsh reality of sharing a prairie-doctor's life will give the genteel, city-bred girl second thoughts and result in hearta... Read all

  • Director
    • Lewis Allen
  • Writers
    • Blanche Hanalis
    • Laura Ingalls Wilder
    • Arthur Heinemann
  • Stars
    • Michael Landon
    • Karen Grassle
    • Melissa Gilbert
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    455
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lewis Allen
    • Writers
      • Blanche Hanalis
      • Laura Ingalls Wilder
      • Arthur Heinemann
    • Stars
      • Michael Landon
      • Karen Grassle
      • Melissa Gilbert
    • 10User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast16

    Edit
    Michael Landon
    Michael Landon
    • Charles Ingalls
    Karen Grassle
    Karen Grassle
    • Caroline Ingalls
    Melissa Gilbert
    Melissa Gilbert
    • Laura Ingalls
    Melissa Sue Anderson
    Melissa Sue Anderson
    • Mary Ingalls
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    • Carrie Ingalls
    Sidney Greenbush
    Sidney Greenbush
    • Carrie Ingalls
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Nels Oleson
    Katherine MacGregor
    Katherine MacGregor
    • Harriet Oleson
    Karl Swenson
    Karl Swenson
    • Lars Hanson
    Anne Archer
    Anne Archer
    • Kate Thorvald
    Kevin Hagen
    Kevin Hagen
    • Dr. Hiram Baker
    Douglas Dirkson
    Douglas Dirkson
    • Ole Olafsen
    Bea Morris
    • Helga Olafsen
    Steven Kunz
    • Hans Olafsen
    • (as Steven Kunze)
    Hal Burton
    Hal Burton
    • Townsman on Horse
    • (uncredited)
    Ruth Foster
    • Melinda Foster
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Lewis Allen
    • Writers
      • Blanche Hanalis
      • Laura Ingalls Wilder
      • Arthur Heinemann
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    7.8455
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    10

    Featured reviews

    5cyroskristi

    Oh F off

    Oh F Word off , what a bad ending again !

    It's ok a Men to be 10 even 12 years older , deal with it !

    It's ok a Men to be 10 even 12 years older , deal with it !

    It's ok a Men to be 10 even 12 years older , deal with it !

    It's ok a Men to be 10 even 12 years older , deal with it !

    It's ok a Men to be 10 even 12 years older , deal with it !
    10mitchrmp

    The marriage that could have been

    This is the first "Dr. Baker" episode. It is a sweet episode that focuses on his love life (the only time he ever does fall in love). Dr. Baker meets a young woman, probably about twenty years old, and immediately falls head over heels for her. The fact that she's so young does keep him from giving into his feelings at first, but soon he gives in to her pleadings and allows himself to fall in love.

    Mrs. Olsen is surprisingly pleasant in this episode. Though she makes it known that she doesn't like Dr. Baker robbing the cradle, her niece convinces her she's a grown woman and can make her own decisions. Harriet gives in, and even laughs about it. Then when they announce their marriage,

    Dr. Baker really struggles with his right to marry a young woman. He would take so much away from her. I think by the end, though, his fiancée is sure that in the end he'll make the decision that she doesn't want him to make.

    The entire episode is sweet, but you can't help but to be sad for the way the entire situation. But reality is reality and in truth, I think he showed his true love by walking away instead of marrying her.

    Gotta love this show!!!
    6RedRainbowUnicorn23

    aah the wonder of love!!!

    Not one of my faves but still good. Dr baker falls in love with a young girl Mrs Oleson's niece.But the difference in their ages come between them. At first it was not a problem but as time goes by doc baker realizes how young she really is.This episode includes the beautiful Anne Archer she was delightful.This episode is sweet and I think its the only one where Doctor baker really falls in love. I would have hoped that he would get married as the series went on but sadly it never happened.This is just a feel good episode you can enjoy and think about LOVE. Mrs olson was her usual self

    Now continue to episode 18
    8spottygoodboy

    Let's Face Reality

    Puts life in perspective, similar to the episode of Mr. Edwards falling in love with a blind girl 20 years of age...
    muratmihcioglu

    Anne Archer!

    She showed up as a strikingly authentic beauty but I couldn't tell who she was till I checked the credits on here. It's amazing to notice in retrospect that so many notable guest stars have appeared on this show.

    I particularly like the stories featuring the doc and Archer's presence strenghtens the dynamics with this one.

    I didn't get why Mrs. Oleson refers to the doc as a "country veterinarian" as he is obviously a legit MD who takes care of animals at time as well.

    The problem with the story is, for quite a while it flows too smoothly and without any threat or objections. Therefore we don't get to expect much of it, which, arguably may prove to be true.

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The plot of this episode is virtually identical to the season nine episode "Love".
    • Goofs
      Whilst fishing with Doc Baker, Charles says: "Well I wouldn't worry about it, Kate doesn't seem to. Hey you got a nice one!" This line was clearly dubbed by somebody other than Michael Landon, as it is a different voice.
    • Quotes

      Mary Ingalls: Laura, are you asleep? Laura, answer me! Are you asleep?

      Laura Ingalls: Why do you do that?

      Mary Ingalls: Do what?

      Laura Ingalls: Tell me to answer you if I'm asleep. Because if I'm asleep, I would have to wake up to answer you and then I wouldn't be asleep anymore.

      Mary Ingalls: You know, you're right. From now on, I'll ask you if you're awake.

      [later]

      Mary Ingalls: Laura, are you awake?

      Laura Ingalls: No.

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    FAQ7

    • Is "Hansen's Mill" a real or ficitonal mill?
    • Is "Pinochle" a real or fictional card game?
    • Is "Olsen's Mercantile" a real or fictional grocery store?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 22, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Hallmark Channel
      • INSP
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ed Friendly Productions
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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