Ep 8. Harriet's Happenings

Harriet's Happenings is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the popular drama series Little House on the Prairie. The show is a period piece set in the late 1800s, following the Ingalls family, their friends, and their struggles as they settle in the small town of Walnut Grove in Minnesota.

In this particular episode, the focus is on Harriet Oleson, one of the show's most notorious characters. Harriet is the wife of the town's general store owner, Nels Oleson, and is known for her snobbish behavior, inflated sense of self-importance, and her ongoing feud with the Ingalls family.

Harriet has always been a difficult character, but in Harriet's Happenings, we see her at her worst. The episode begins with Harriet fretting over the return of her sister, Elsie, who she believes is coming to visit her in Walnut Grove. Harriet is eager to impress her sister and show off her high status in the small town, but when Elsie arrives, she is unimpressed with Harriet's life and is openly critical of her.

Harriet is humiliated by her sister's behavior, and she goes to great lengths to try and impress her. She throws a fancy dinner party, buys expensive gifts, and even convinces her husband to invest in a wildcat oil well in hopes of making a fortune and proving her sister wrong.

However, things don't go according to plan, and Harriet's plans backfire spectacularly. The dinner party is a disaster, the gifts are poorly received, and the oil well turns out to be a scam, leaving Harriet and Nels in financial ruin.

The episode is a fascinating look at the character of Harriet, who is often portrayed as a one-dimensional antagonist. Here, we get to see her vulnerabilities, her insecurities, and her deep desire to be accepted and admired.

The episode also touches on themes of class, status, and family dynamics. Harriet's relationship with her sister is fraught with tension and resentment, and we see how much Harriet feels the need to prove herself to Elsie and the world.

Overall, Harriet's Happenings is a well-written and engaging episode of Little House on the Prairie. It's a testament to the show's ability to create well-rounded characters and explore complex themes, even within the context of a family-friendly drama.