Entertainment Weekly
10 essential Little House on the Prairie episodes that define the classic series
Take a trip back in time and explore the very best of Walnut Grove.
By Kelly Martinez September 1, 2025 9:00 a.m. ET
It’s been over 50 years since viewers first set foot in Walnut Grove, but NBC’s Little House on the Prairie still tugs at our heartstrings today. Based on the beloved books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the series followed the Ingalls family as they learned to navigate whatever life threw at them… which was, uh, a lot.
Despite the show’s late 1800s backdrop, much of the material still holds up today, from Laura’s (Melissa Gilbert) teen angst to heavy storylines involving topics like grief, spirituality, addiction, and more.
With the upcoming Netflix reboot just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to revisit the original series. Whether you’re in the mood to binge all nine seasons or just rewatch a few fan favorites, Entertainment Weekly has got you covered. Read on for the 10 most essential Little House on the Prairie episodes. (Make sure to keep some tissues on hand!)
01
of 10
Pilot (TV movie premiere)
Michael Landon in the TV movie that launched a cultural touchstone.
Okay, so this one is technically a movie, but it also serves as the series pilot. Viewers meet Pa (Michael Landon) and Ma Ingalls (Karen Grassle), along with their daughters, Laura, Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson), and Carrie (Lindsay Sidney Greenbush), joining them on an emotional roller coaster from Wisconsin to Kansas to (finally!) settling down in Walnut Grove.
While certain elements of the pilot definitely show their age, the episode contains a lot of wisdom. After all, there’s something timeless about how scary it can be to leave home and start over. If you didn’t shed a tear when sweet little Jack found his way back to the Ingalls family, are you even human?
02
of 10
“Country Girls” (season 1, episode 2)
Melissa Sue Anderson and Melissa Gilbert in 'Country Girls'.
“First day of school” episodes are a television staple for many reasons: They get characters out of their comfort zone, conveniently introduce new cast members, and offer an opportunity to teach the audience a lesson. “Country Girls” does all of this and more.
There are so many standout moments: Laura and Mary meeting their teacher Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) for the first time, Ma working a miracle with her sewing machine, and that darn Nellie (Alison Arngrim) sneering “Country Girls!” (We can still hear her obnoxious little voice.) But it’s Laura’s heartfelt essay about Ma at the end that truly makes this a standout.
As a cool bonus, this is one of the few episodes that closely follows the plot of the books.
03
of 10
“The Lord Is My Shepherd” (season 1, episode 13)
Caroline and Charles Ingalls, arguably the best Ma and Pa in TV history.
This two-parter may have slightly traumatized us as kids, but it’s still a must-watch. "The Lord is My Shepherd" sees the Ingalls family excitedly welcome a baby boy, who scoops up all of Pa’s attention and makes Laura jealous. Siblings, amirite?
But things take a seriously dark turn when the baby dies, leaving Laura feeling immensely guilty. Between Laura running away to the mountains to beg God to take her instead (this show got heavy) and Ernest Borgnine swooping in as her guardian angel, this is one episode that’s permanently burned into our brains. It’s not hard to see why it’s Melissa Gilbert’s favorite.
04
of 10
“The Richest Man in Walnut Grove” (season 2, episode 1)
Karl Swenson in the season 2 premiere of 'Little House'.
Even our favorite TV characters aren’t immune to financial hardship. When the mill closes and leaves Charles in debt in the season 2 premiere, the entire family comes together to help. The girls pitch in by sewing clothes, doing extra chores and farm work, and juggling multiple responsibilities.
The Ingalls family may not have a ton of money, but they’re sure rich in love — and that’s what makes Pa truly the wealthiest man in Walnut Grove. We’re not crying, you’re crying!
05
of 10
“Blizzard” (season 3, episode 11)
The season 3 episode 'Blizzard' was based on a real-life tragedy from 1888.
Little House Christmas episodes were always memorable, and “Blizzard” is no exception. But instead of giving us warm and fuzzy vibes like season 1’s “Christmas at Plum Creek,” this not-so-cheery holiday special had us scared to death that the kids might not make it out of the snowstorm alive.
The episode has some pretty grim moments (poor Ted!), and becomes even darker when you consider the storyline likely drew inspiration from true events. Ultimately, “Blizzard” is a genuine testament to the Ingalls family’s remarkable strength and resilience.
06
of 10
“I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” (season 4, episodes 21–22)
Melissa Sue Anderson as Mary, on her way to an Emmy nomination.
If there’s one Little House on the Prairie episode that everyone remembers, it’s the two-part special "I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away.” When Mary’s vision becomes blurry after a bout with scarlet fever, Pa takes her to an optometrist, who delivers shocking news: She’s going blind. The heartwrenching storyline made a lasting impact on viewers; Melissa Sue Anderson was even nominated for an Emmy for her performance.
The episode was notable not only for its intense subject matter, but because it marked the end of Anderson’s tenure as a regular cast member. Viewers also meet Adam (Linwood Boomer), Mary’s future husband, for the first time in Part II. After all that heaviness, we deserve a little enemies-to-lovers dynamic as a treat.
07
of 10
“May We Make Them Proud” (season 6, episode 18)
'May We Make Them Proud' stands as one of the series' darkest, and most memorable, episodes.
If there was a prize for the most depressing Little House on the Prairie episode ever, “May We Make Them Proud” just might take the cake. The school for the blind burning down is already awful enough, but the fact that both Alice (Hersha Parady) and Mary’s baby burned to death in that fire? We couldn’t forget Melissa Sue Anderson’s Hereditary-esque screams if we tried.
“May We Make Them Proud” is an incredibly real, raw portrayal of how devastating loss and guilt can be, and it’s not afraid to show the ugly side of grief. It easily stands out as one of the series’ darkest episodes, right up there with season 7’s “Sylvia.”
08
of 10
“Sweet Sixteen” (season 6, episode 21)
Melissa Gilbert's Laura Ingalls reaches an important milestone in season 6.
Every Laura-Almanzo shipper can probably still recite all the dialogue in this one by heart. “Sweet Sixteen” marks a major turning point in Laura and Almanzo’s dynamic, as he finally realizes he returns her romantic feelings.
It feels a little like a classic teen drama episode, packed with teen angst and hormones gone awry, all culminating in an epic first kiss at Laura’s (sweet indeed) 16th birthday party. Ahh, young love!
09
of 10
“Laura Ingalls Wilder” (season 7, episodes 1–2)
Things are about to get real for Laura and Almanzo.
Forgive us for sneaking another two-parter onto this list, but Laura Ingalls-Wilder’s wedding absolutely qualifies as classic TV. We watched her grow up, and now she’s getting married… or is she?
Although all the back-and-forth between Laura and Almanzo gets a little tiring (this isn’t Love Is Blind, guys!), that makes it all the more satisfying when, in the end, they finally marry at the Blind School in Sleepy Eye — on the day of Mary and Adam’s anniversary, no less. We really hope Mary didn’t mind sharing the occasion.
10
of 10
Little House: The Last Farewell (TV movie special)
Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler in 'The Last Farewell,' a devastating end for Walnut Grove.
Finally, no Little House on the Prairie essential episodes list would be complete without The Last Farewell. The made-for-TV movie serves as the unofficial series finale, going out with a bang — literally. When the townspeople find themselves facing a losing battle against an evil land development tycoon, they make the drastic decision to, uh… blow up Walnut Grove. Riverdale, is that you?
While Michael Landon’s decision to destroy the beloved town is controversial (Gilbert described that final day on set as “horribly, horribly sad”), it was certainly a memorable way to bid farewell. But hey, at least the town church survived?
All nine seasons of Little House on the Prairie are available to stream on Peacock and Prime Video.
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