Mary and the rest of her family are delighted when she is chosen to compete in a big, statewide mathematics competition. Unfortunately, Charles does not have enough money to send her along on the trip so the whole town of Walnut Grove rally around in order to raise the necessary funds for Mary to go and for Caroline to accompany her.
Naturally, Mary is very nervous when the big day arrives but Caroline tells her to do her very best. It turns out that, as far as Mary is concerned, her best isn't good enough when she places second overall, but when she and her mother return home, the town is thrilled that she has put them on the map. Great episode. Good to see Mary getting a little more of the spotlight too.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
When Mary qualifies for a state-wide mathematics contest, the town rallies together to help cover the expenses. While Caroline accompanies her oldest daughter on the trip to Minneapolis, Laura delights in the opportunity to step up and take care of her father and younger sister at home.moreless
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Melissa Gilbert
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls/Wilder
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Patrick Labyorteaux
Andrew 'Andy' Garvey (1977 - 1981) (as Patrick Laborteaux)
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Bonnie Bartlett
Grace Snider/Edwards (1974 - 1977)
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- In the scene where Caroline asks Mary if she's going to eat her sandwich or just play with it, you can tell that there is nothing in-between the two pieces of bread in Mary's hands. Edit
- After finishing her test, Mary stands in front of the hotel room window in the middle of the night, watching the rain beat down. The writers used this exact type of scene for several serious moments in the show; whenever a main character was frightened or going through something, they'd stare out their hotel room window at night, watching it rain. This also happened with Charles and Caroline in Season 3's To Live With Fear, with Charles in Season 4's I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away, and with Laura and Almanzo in Season 9's Marvin's Gardens. Edit
- Notice the expression on Charles' face after he tells Mary he can't afford to send her on the trip. When she quickly runs downstairs on the verge of tears, Charles is sitting all alone in the loft, and for a brief moment, he sticks his entire lip out like a pouting child. It's a credit to Michael Landon's acting with his range of emotions for this little scene, but at the same time, you may find yourself laughing out loud as he does this. Edit
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Notes
ADD NOTES- Filming Locations: Filmed at Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, with Sierra location scenes filmed at Railtown State Park, Jamestown, with newly filmed train segments and 1975 stock clip of Shay Locomotive No. 3 at Red Hills, Chinese Camp, California, and Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California. Edit
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Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Laura: (about Mary) I'm feeling the jealousies again. Charles: Now, what for? Laura: I wrecked the dinner, and I wrecked the cake. I just can't do anything right! Charles: Half-Pint, now you listen to me. You did the cooking this week, the chores, and everything. You took care of your sister. Why, any man would be proud to have you for a wife. Laura: They would? Charles: Sure they would. Laura: What about the cooking? Charles: Don't you worry, your mom burned a few cakes in her day. And even with all that, I bet you I gained five pounds this week. Laura: You did? Charles: I know I did. Edit
- Caroline: (about the children) Everyone's down for the night. Charles: (about Mary) Did she say anything else? Caroline: No. Just how glad she is not to be going. Charles: Being so brave. I wish she had yelled, screamed, said it wasn't fair.....all of that beats being so brave. Caroline: But she is brave. Maybe if she got everything she wanted in this world, she wouldn't be. Edit
- Laura: This may sound silly.....but when Pa said you wouldn't be able to go on the trip, I felt a little glad inside. Mary: That is silly. Laura: That's what I just said! I guess I got a little jealous, you being so smart and all. You know what I mean? Mary: Yeah. Sometimes I get jealous, too. Laura: You do? Mary: Sure I do. Laura: Of me? Mary: Well, not the man on the moon! Laura: Well, why would you be jealous of me? Mary: I don't know. Sometimes I think Pa loves you more than he does me. Laura: That's silly! Mary: No sillier than you being jealous over some old contest. Laura: You're right. Well, anyway, I'm sorry. Mary: Me too. Edit
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Allusions
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