The Talking Machine

Besides the silliness of the characters mentioning airplanes when the concept wasn't even born yet, it's a bit silly to have Laura at such a young age falling for a boy who seems to be a few years older than her. I don't know for sure, but I'd say Laura is a bit young to be taking such a serious interest in boys.

That aside though, this episode held a great ethical lesson on hurting people. Nellie Olsen, who is always spiteful and mean to Laura, talks her father into getting her the talking machine. He doesn't know she's going to try to win Jason's affections with it. Nor does he know that he's going to use it to hurt Laura. I think that Nellie just always wants what Laura has. She doesn't take her mother's advice o n the kind of boy to date (i.e. the episode where she marries the pig farmer...)

Charles is infuriated at what Nellie does to Laura and marches (er...rides) right into town and tells Nells. It turns out that Nellie finally gets the thrashing she deserves, much to Harriet's horror!

This was another classic episode that had all the elements! 1. A confrontation between Laura and Nellie 2. Pa's wisdom 3. Some hilarious dialogue between Harriet and Nels....

It was clever how the plot focuses on the talking machine...Nellie uses the machine to woo Jason, and it was used to trick Laura into saying some embarrassing things about her love for Jason. The director did a nice job tying science into the entire episode....very well written

In regards to Pa's wisdom....I love the scenes between Melissa and Michael. So much chemistry and I know the Melissa lacked a father figure in her real life...so this was genuine.

Overall, A great episode with a positive twist at the end. Well done

The opening clip of "The Talking Machine" showed the presence of the device at Oleson's Mercantile. Nels Oleson was amazed about the device being used to record a person's voice. Harriet Oleson was not interested about the device; and to wit, she did not want to purchase the device from Hannibal Godfrey. The Olesons were not interested in having the device at their home ... at least for the time being. Charles Ingalls was working on the wagon wheel in terms of allowing Hannibal Godfrey to travel across the country. He wanted to pay Mr. Ingalls the $7.00 for his work on the wagon wheel. Nels Oleson -- in an unexpected move -- stopped by the Ingalls' home to make an arrangement on the talking machine. The three parties completed the arrangement on the device; and furthermore, Nellie Oleson would eventually use the device for some type of malarkey. More To Come!!

Jason and Laura were involved with an experiment. They were doing their best to produce electricity in the pouring rain. Jason was flying the kite in a nasty thunderstorm; and Laura was placing the key on the string to generate electricity from the thunderstorm. Laura got the sniffles from being caught in the rain. Nellie was outside doing her quilting in the chilly weather. She was planning her move on eavesdropping on Laura later in the episode.

Laura invited Jason to the Ingalls' house for supper. Laura and Jason were discussing their work they did with the kite -- and then with the paddle boat -- at the supper table. Laura placed the cup over the oil lamp and dimmed the flame rapidly. Nellie -- on the other hand -- was disgusted about Jason eating supper at the Ingalls' home. She had one thing in mind: using the talking machine to eavesdrop on Laura Ingalls and her discussion with Jason.

Nellie invited Laura to her bedroom for some lively discussion. The discussion was harmless in detail to Laura. The only problem: Willie Oleson -- under Nellie Oleson's orders -- used the talking machine to eavesdrop on their conversation without her knowledge. In school, Nellie Oleson used the device to make harmful recordings about the both them. Laura would then cry badly the situation. Charles Ingalls would eventually visit Nels Oleson about the device Nellie used without her knowledge. Nels Oleson told Nellie and Willie to step downstairs about their little stunt. They realized about their wrongdoing to Laura Ingalls; and furthermore, Nels would take a belt to both Nellie and Willie Oleson's butts for their disgraceful acts to Laura Ingalls. A Fat 10!! Moral: the use of a recording device without someone's permission will result in detrimental consequences to anyone in the real world. Informative And Useful From The 1975-1976 Television Season.

This is a fave of mine. Its pretty good and a lot of famous names is tossed around in this scientific episode. Laura has her 3d crush/boyfriend Jason(he is very inventive) they have the longest relationship however we only see Jason 2 times in this episode and very early in season 3. Of course Nellie has her eye on this boy too so theirs a bit of jealousy on both of the girls.Laura wish she was prettier and Nellie (she can't understand why he going to Laura bc she's way prettier than her) well mabe bc Laura is way friendlier. So one night Mr Olson buys a talking machine for Nellie.Jason notices this and are interested right away.

When Nellie sees that Jason still are more interested in Laura she plans something. Check it out and find out what it is... Its pretty mean.

Most memorable line: Laura:"maybe mer and Jason have the same germ!!" Mary:"how romantic" LoL

Now continue to episode 14