Growin' Pains

Season 8, Episode 3, Aired

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After adopting two more children, Charles and Caroline must adjust to managing five kids. The family tension mounts when James, who has gotten into trouble recently, feels out of place and runs away from home.
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Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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  • James looks up to Albert as an older brother and tags along/imitates him, thereby become annoyance. When he breaks one of Albert's possessions, the chain of events which follow convince him that the only solution is to run away.moreless

    7.0
    "Good"
    By walnutgrove, Feb 15, 2009
    Not realizing that this was part of the 8th season, I noticed a bit of difference in this episode; an edginess on the part of Albert and Charles. Albert's peeved demeanor (when asking Pa if he was going to punish James twice) and Charles' sharp responses (both times he says it's his business if and when he punishes James) seemed a bit out of character for both of them. I think the attitude of Albert foreshadows his addiction in a later 8th season offering. But it was a little surprising to see Caroline's stress when Laura goes to the restaurant and mentions how Cassandra and James had been late to school several times that week. Caroline seems totally harried. Perhaps the writer wanted to show character development? After all, they had all those kids under one roof!

    Ah, it's an alright episode. I found the haunted house bit a little silly. Anyone else wonder why that man was hiding behind those crates in the first place? It's not like he could probably hear the boys climbing the steps: it was a crashing thunderstorm!moreless
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  • TRIVIA (6)

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    • Charles makes an interesting comment to Albert when he expresses resentment toward James: "I'm sure glad Laura and Carrie didn't feel that way when you first came to live with us." However, in Season 5's **** Laura became jealous of the attention Albert received from Charles, and it even prompted Albert to run away.

    • The abandoned house that Albert and James find in the storm is the same house that Laura and Almanzo later own in Season 9. The same sets were used for both instances.

    • Charles makes an inconsistent comment to Albert when he expresses resentment toward James: "I'm sure glad Laura and Carrie didn't feel that way when you first came to live with us." However, in Season 5's Fagin, Laura became jealous of the attention Albert received from Charles, and it even prompted Albert to run away.

    • In Season 7's The Lost Ones, Part 2, James verbalizes that his biological father taught him not to steal. Yet, James seems to resort to stealing when desperate and/or terrified of punishment. He planned to steal Tompkins' money before running away with Cassandra (but did not get the opportunity). In this episode, he stole a razor from the mercantile in order to cover up breaking Albert's.

    • Charles makes an interesting comment to Albert when he expresses resentment toward James: "I'm sure glad Laura and Carrie didn't feel that way when you first came to live with us." However, in Season 5's "Fagin," Laura became jealous of the attention Albert received from Charles, and it even prompted Albert to run away.

    • There was a part in this episode where Charles told Albert that James was still getting used to the idea of living in the Ingalls' house. If James and Cassandra had spent several weeks with the Ingallses prior to being adopted by the Tompkins, shouldn't James have adapted to living with the Ingalls by now? Reply: You would think so, but sometimes things start out smoothly and gradually become difficult. I'm sure the kids got along much better when James and Cassandra were brand-new members of the family, because it was all so exciting, but now that they've been living together for a while, the typical sibling fights and rivalry have set in.

  • QUOTES (3)

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    • James: (to Albert after breaking his razor) Albert? I'm sorry. I'm gonna save and buy you a new one. Albert: I don't want a new one. I don't even want to talk to you. Just leave me alone, will you?

    • Albert: (about James) You gonna punish him? Charles: Whether or not I do is my business, not yours. Albert: Nah, I didn't think you would. It's always the same thing: "Poor James. He's been through a lot. You have to be patient with him, be nice to him." Charles: He's part of our family. Albert: Well, that's not my fault! Charles: Albert, you know you wanted him to have a home with us just as much as I did. Albert: Yeah, but I didn't think it would be like this. Taking my things, following me around all the time.....I wish he'd never come to live here in the first place! Charles: Albert....I'm sure glad Laura and Carrie didn't feel that way when you first came to live with us.

    • Almanzo: I don't know how you do it. Charles: Do what? Almonzo: Raise five young'uns like that. Charles: Well, the more you have, the easier it gets. Almonzo: Really? Charles: Yeah, and if you believe that one, I have a bridge I wanna sell ya.

  • NOTES (3)

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    • Tricia Cast, who plays Jenny (the blonde girl who likes Albert and is annoyed by James), went on to star Julie Burton in the series It's Your Move, which also starred Jason Bateman (James). Cast may appear much older than Bateman, but in reality, Bateman is only two months younger.

    • Featured characters: James and Albert Ingalls

    • Allison Balson (Nancy) was credited as one of the town's people from this episode onwards.

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