Back To School (2)

Season 6, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

Laura decides that becoming a teacher will convince everyone of her maturity, but first she must pass the graduation exam. She does receive an unexpected offer of help, but in the end, it might just ruin everything.
9.6
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EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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  • A great episode!! Laura and Nellie engage in their dirty tricks to win over Almanzo.

    9.6
    "Superb"
    By lisgirl978, Sep 03, 2011 Report Abuse
    This was a fabulous episode. I love the original relationship between Laura and Almanzo -- how they met and how everything worked. It also really showed the problems Laura and Nellie had. I watched this episode regularly, and then with the commentary, which is done by Alison Arngrim. I highly recommend you watch the commentary. Alison is very natural talking about it, and it gives a lot of information. She can also be very funny, saying things like: "You know, life would be a lot simpler if everybody listened to Ma Ingalls." And my favorite, when she's describing the memorable mud fight: "Look at this! I'm 6 inches taller, maybe 10 or 15 pounds heavier, and she is completely defeating me! You do not want to get into a fight with Melissa Gilbert." The episode, in general, is very memorable and very fun. Its about growing up, love, and general problems. Watch it for sure!moreless

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  • Laura wants to grow up quickly, mainly to impress Almanzo. To do so, she intends to become a teacher.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Lady_Lancaster, Sep 03, 2011 Report Abuse
    Laura finds herself falling deeply for Almanzo in spite of the considerable age gap between them. She is also sick and tired of being thought of as a "little girl" and thinks of a sure fire way to be considered more 'grown up' - she wants to take the graduation exam like Nellie and then the teaching exam so that she will be qualified to teach.

    The problems begin when she asks Nellie for her help. We know immediately that things are not going to turn out well as Nellie seems practically incapable of doing or saying anything nice at any time. Laura should have known better but that would have made the episode far less interesting and it was certainly a terrific one for the second part of the season opener. You will definitely have to watch this one as well as the one before it. Terrific!moreless

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  • Laura believes Almanzo Wilder is the man she will marry, he is much older than she is. She takes her teaching exam because she believes that will make her appear older. She ends up failing and it was Nellie's fault.moreless

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By redsoxchic852, Jul 12, 2006 Report Abuse
    This was a hilarious episode along with part one too. I loved the part where Laura pushes Nellie into the mud and Almanzo must pull them apart. You should see what Laura says to Nellie after that while she is leaving with Almanzo. It is very cute when \"Beth\", Laura tries to talk to Almanzo about what happened. Then when Charles comes in how she yells at both of them and tells them she is not a little girl. I thought this was a very good episode and you can tell in here that Laura really really loves her \"Manly\" a.k.a. Almanzo.moreless

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  • Laura falls in love with Almonzo, who is older than her, she tries to grow up quickly.

    9.2
    "Superb"
    By pisces_t, Sep 28, 2005 Report Abuse
    Laura has fallen in live with Almanzo and wants him to notice her. She decides to take the graduation test so that she may graduate, and therefore, appear older. She turns to Nellie for help. Nellie loans her the books she needs to study for the examination. However Nellie is still upset about the Almanzo chicken fiasco so she gives Laura the wrong study tips. Laura discovers this during the examination and fails. She confronts Nellie and they get into a fight, rolling in a big mud puddle. Almanzo seperates them and takes Laura home with him to help her clean up Nellie goes home and tells Caroline and Charles about the fight, and about Laura leaving with Almanzo. Thinking the worst, Charles drives over to his place and punches Almanzo because he believes Almanzo has taken advantage of his daughter, as Laura is dressed in Almanzo's robe while waiting for her clothes to dry. Almanzo doesn't blame Charles for wanting to protect his little girl. Laura yells at both of them and declares she is a woman not a child.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • During the scene around the dinner table, Charles mentions that he quit school to go to work when he was twelve, but that he had to do it because he was "the man of the house" and was expected to support his family. But in Season 3's Journey in the Spring, we are introduced to Charles' parents, who are happily married, even though the husband was always a self-pitying downer. We know from this episode that Lansford was clearly in his son Charles' life as a child, and furthermore, Charles has an older brother named Peter, so if any of the Ingalls boy were the "man of the house," it was older child Peter. Reply: True, but in Season 3's Journey in the Spring, Part 1, we met Peter as an adult, and it was clear that he was very bitter and resentful toward their father. It's reasonable to believe, then, that Peter had that anger when they were kids, forcing Charles to step up and be the mature one. Edit
    • After being tricked by Nellie, Laura angrily informs her that the examination was "all history." ALL history?? This may just be nitpicking, but I think what she meant to say was "a lot of history." Surely the whole thing wasn't just that subject area. Edit
    • Even considering everything, it's a little unrealistic that the super-gentlemanly Almanzo would drive Laura home after the fight with Nellie and leave Nellie just sitting there in the mud. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Alison Arngrim (Nellie) has discussed in previous interviews the famous mud fight scene with Melissa Gilbert (Laura). Arngrim has often mentioned how physically strong Gilbert was in real life, and not only did she really thrash Arngrim around, but Arngrim vividly remembers how Gilbert's hand came around suddenly and got her right in the mouth with a handful of mud! Edit
    • Mrs. Oleson and Nellie Oleson are credited as guests stars in this episode. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Laura: (overvoice) I took Ma's advice and didn't say anything more about Almanzo. I guess I knew I'd always be Hafe-Pint to Pa, but I was just as sure that I would someday be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Edit
    • Laura: You were out on your own, and working, when you were 12. Albert: You did say that, Pa. Charles: Albert, you're not in this conversation. Albert: Yes, sir. Charles: It was different for me. I was a man, I was supposed to go out and support the family. Caroline: Now, wait just a minute. I do agree that it's a little early for Laura to be teaching, but not because she's a woman. Now, I know this is a sore spot with you, Charles, but a woman is supporting this family right now. Albert: That is true, Pa...... Charles: Albert, please! Edit
    • Nellie: Oh, hello, Laura. How did the test go? Laura: (through clenched teeth) It was all history. Nellie: You're joking! Laura: Miss Wilder says they're always all history. Nellie: Really? (smiles smugly) Well, now that I thin back.....I guess there was more history on it than I thought. I hope you're not angry. Laura: Why should I be? It wasn't on purpose, was it? Nellie: Of course not. Laura: Well, neither is this! (grabs Nellie around the neck and drags her toward mud) Nellie: Aaah! Ah, you wouldn't dare! Laura: You bet I will! (throws her in) Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • As Nellie lies in the mud, kicking and screaming in anger after her big fight with Laura, the viewer can hear a heavily orchestrated, yet campy version of the tune "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie" as the background music. This song is an "old standard" and an American classic, but it wasn't written until 1905, so it's technically out of place here. Edit

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