Early in the episode, while trying to convince Mr. Edwards to come home with him, he reminds Mr. Edwards of a promise he made to Laura to come and visit her. It's heavily implied that they haven't seen each other since the pilot, and in the final scene of that episode, Mr. Edwards made absolutely no mention of coming to visit the family. In fact, as they were saying good-bye then, it was obvious that they all had a feeling it would be the last time they saw one another. Therefore, Charles' comment doesn't make sense. Even if he wrote to the family, he didn't know where they lived, and they didn't know where he was, either.
The Ingalls family met Mr. Edwards in Kansas and encountered him again, according to Laura's books, one more time in Dakota Territory. Though a memorable character, he was not the constant fixture in their lives that the series portrays. His identity is largely unknown, including his first name. Any episode that includes Edwards is largely fictional.
Notice that when Mr. Edwards shows up in the final scene at Church, Grace is so happy that she starts singing about a second off-key from everybody else. It is very noticeable and quite funny.
(Grace and Mr. Edwards are having a drink of water out of his jug, which looks like a whiskey canister, when Mr. Hanson approaches) Grace: Mr. Hanson! (wipes her mouth and returns the jug to Mr. Edwards) Well, I better get back to work! Lars Hanson: I never knew her to drink. Mr. Edwards: Well, you know, it's always them quiet ones. Lars Hanson: Ya.
Man: (when Charles walks toward a drunken Mr. Edwards) Grab a chair. He's crazy! Charles: Edwards? (Mr. Edwards goes to punch him, Charles grabs him) Edwards, it's me, Ingalls! Mr. Edwards: Ingalls? Charles: Ingalls. Mr. Edwards: Ingalls. My only friend.
Mr. Edwards: (about Grace) She's a God-fearing woman, and I'm not. It's as simple as that. Oh, I'm not saying there's no God. I'm just saying he ain't never got no time for me, so I ain't got no time for him. Caroline: Don't you believe in anything? Mr. Edwards: Yes, ma'am. I believe in me. But that's not enough for Widow Snider. Caroline: Is it enough for you? Mr. Edwards: You tell me something, ma'am. Tell me why God let my wife and daughter die. (long silence, Caroline says nothing) Well, I'll be gone before you get back from Church tomorrow. I hate good-byes, so it's better all around if I'm just gone. Caroline: Mr. Edwards, do you understand what you're doing? You're punishing God! And if you go on punishing him for what happened in the past, you're not going to have any room for the future. I'd feel so sorry if you did that.
Charles: What did you girls learn in Sunday School today? Mary: Susan Zigler passed a note to Freddy Hopkins, and it made Amanda Butterfield jealous! Charles: I meant about religion.
Caroline: Mr. Edwards, since you work right across from the post office, I was wondering if you would mind stopping by and picking up our mail before closing time. Mr. Edwards: Oh, I'd be glad to. Laura: But that's our job! Mary: We always do that! Caroline: Hush now. Sometimes the freight wagons are late, or it comes after the girls have already started home, and then we don't get our mail until the next day. Mr. Edwards: Oh, I'd be glad to do that, no trouble at all. Caroline: Thank you. Mr. Edwards: Come along now, girls, we don't want to be late. (they leave) Charles: You know, Caroline, that was really a very good idea. I mean, it wouldn't do to have those letters accumulate the way they've been pouring in one or two a month.
Mary: You're gonna be all right. Caroline: Sure, she is. It's just a flareup with your old tonsils. Laura: Is Doctor Baker gonna operate on me? Caroline: He might take them out, but not while they're infected. Not until you're all better. Laura: Then I don't know which to wish for: getting better, or staying like this.
Charles: (about Isaiah and Grace) I can't think of two people who are more different. Caroline: Everybody knows opposites attract. Charles: I always wondered why you went for a shy, sophisticated, educated man like myself. LONG PAUSE Caroline: Charles, what did you say? Charles: (kisses her, turns out the light) I said good night, dear.
Caroline: Mr. Edwards! What a wonderful surprise! Mr. Edwards: Yeah, well, you know me, like a bad penny, always showing up.
This episode marks the first appearance of Bonnie Bartlett as Grace Snider.
Filming Locations: Filmed at Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley and Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California.
Oddly, in the final scene of this episode, Mary and Laura are the only children in attendance at Church.
When the title of this episode flashes across the screen at the beginning of the episode, it says Mr. Edward's Homecoming. Obviously, this is not correct; it should be Mr. Edwards' Homecoming.
User Score: 7115
User Score: 508
User Score: 896
User Score: 878
User Score: 577
User Score: 302
User Score: 297
User Score: 207
User Score: 160
User Score: 122