Ep 9. The Wedding

The Wedding is an episode of the iconic American drama series Little House on the Prairie, which tells the story of the Ingalls family and their struggles as they settle into a new town in the American West in the late 19th century. In this episode, the town of Walnut Grove is preparing for the wedding of Eliza Jane Wilder and Harve Miller, and the Ingalls family is excited to take part in the celebration.

The episode begins with Eliza Jane arriving in Walnut Grove, accompanied by her sister Laura and her mother. Though she is excited about her impending marriage to Harve Miller, Eliza Jane is also nervous about the responsibilities of being a wife and a schoolteacher, as she will be taking over the school from her sister. Laura reassures her that she will be fine, but the two sisters are soon at odds when Laura starts to feel left out of the wedding preparations.

Meanwhile, Harve Miller visits the school to meet with the Ingalls family and discuss his plans for the future. When he reveals that he hopes to start a cattle ranch with Eliza Jane, Charles Ingalls offers to lend him some money to get started. Harve is grateful for the offer, but declines, explaining that he wants to build his fortune on his own. This conversation sets the stage for the conflict between Harve and Eliza Jane that will play out later in the episode.

As the wedding day approaches, the town is abuzz with preparations. The women of Walnut Grove are working hard to make Eliza Jane's wedding dress and to prepare the reception feast. The men are busy building a platform for the dancing and setting up the chairs. Even Nellie Oleson, the town's resident troublemaker, is excited about the wedding, and she invites Laura and Mary to a wedding tea at her house.

As the wedding day dawns, everyone is excited and nervous. Eliza Jane is feeling the weight of her new responsibilities, and Harve is nervous about the wedding ceremony itself. When the time comes for the ceremony, the couple stands at the altar while Reverend Alden officiates. But just as he begins to say the vows, Harve interrupts him and declares that he cannot go through with the wedding.

The episode takes a surprising turn here, as the audience learns that Harve has been lying to Eliza Jane about his financial situation. He has no money to start a cattle ranch, and he is heavily in debt. Harve's confession is devastating for Eliza Jane, who realizes that she has been deceived by the man she loves. She leaves the church in tears, and the wedding guests are left stunned and bewildered.

In the aftermath of this dramatic scene, the town comes together to support Eliza Jane. Charles Ingalls confronts Harve and demands that he make things right with Eliza Jane. Nellie Oleson, who has been surprisingly kind throughout the episode, offers to let Eliza Jane stay with her until she figures out what to do next. And Laura, who has been jealous of her sister throughout the episode, realizes that she loves Eliza Jane and wants to help her.

In the end, Eliza Jane decides to leave Walnut Grove and return home to her parents' house. Though she is heartbroken about the end of her relationship with Harve, she is grateful for the support of her family and her friends in the town. The episode ends on a bittersweet note, with Eliza Jane leaving the town where she had hoped to make a new life, and the Ingalls family and their friends reflecting on the importance of love, friendship, and community.

Overall, The Wedding is a poignant and emotional episode that captures the joys and sorrows of life in the American West in the late 19th century. With its memorable characters, beautiful set design, and powerful performances, Little House on the Prairie remains one of the most beloved television shows of all time, and this episode is a testament to its lasting appeal.