The Legend of Black Jake

A true farce in Walnut Grove begun by two of the dumbest wannabe, failed "outlaws" - and Nels! This reminds me a bit of the episode about the goat - Fred? I believe - that causes trouble for everyone in town after he's pawned off on innocent Laura as a girl and she tries to pawn him off in turn. In this case, it's these idiot outlaws fresh out of jail riding together on one poor little donkey - Old Paint! - when they come to Walnut Grove and misinterpret a conversation between Nels and Charles that leads them to rob Nels because they believe he has gold! Things go continuously downhill from there with failed ransom notes and kidnappings. A funny and light episode in what is a pretty serious season - the last with the original Little House Ingalls, etc. Season 8.

These are the type of episodes that I don't really count as part of the regular series 😃 I felt the same way about the comedy episodes in Bonanza, and they really over did them in that show ...

This is one of those silly episodes. I really like this episode. It all starts with these two stupid bank robbers who get out of jail after stupidly backing into a prison wagon. The arrive in Walnut Grove and overhear Nels and Charles talking about Nels having gold. It's not exactly the kind of gold they are expecting, but after they kidnap him they decide to hold him for ransom. They don't know Harriet like we do!

Harriet's reaction is funny. She doesn't faint because Nels is kidnapped. She faints because they want $100. The ransom note she sends is pretty funny as well, and Nels does a good job in getting her back!

After Harriet disappears, Charles and Almanzo try to solve the mystery. Nancy enlists Willie to help him get their parents back, but Willie eats their plan. Willie really doesn't act his age here. I think he was quite immature...Scary as it is, Nancy was more mature than Willie is!

If your looking for a light-hearted stress-free episode, watch this one. Dr. Baker, Reverend Alden, Nancy, Willie, Nels, and Harriet all bring comic relief!

The very opening of the episode signals us that the whole deal will play out like some dream caused by indigestion. Maybe it even really is, who knows!

The story is not bad at all. It could have worked to make us laugh all the way if only the attempt at campy humor had found its way through the loopholes of the Little House on the Prairie universe.

I wonder how people felt when this was aired. I might have felt like being scammed, not finding an episode of the concept that I sat down to watch. But who knows, maybe such change of mood was welcome as people were getting bored of the genral of the show.

As a stand alone production, it sucks. As an experiment to take place somewhere in the very long run of a highly successful show, it's okay.