Troublemaker

Season 2, Episode 17, Aired
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Episode Summary

Although Miss Beadle has proven to be an excellent teacher, she is asked to resign when she is unable to discipline certain students. The school board decides that a male instructor would be better able to handle the class, but it is one disaster after another when Mr. Applewood arrives at the school.moreless
8.9
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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • There is no doubt about Miss Beadle's excellence as a teacher, but when she has trouble controlling some of the older, bigger boys in the school, the Board decide to replace her with a male teacher instead.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Lady_Lancaster, Jul 03, 2011 Report Abuse
    It's very hard to teach when several of your older male students are deliberately being disruptive, as Miss Beadle soon finds out, to her cost. When it is found that some of the bigger boys are out of control, the School Board, regretfully, decide that Miss Beadle will have to be replaced by a male teacher who will be able to deal with the issue.

    Mr. Applewood turns out to be a very strict disciplinarian indeed. Even young Laura finds herself getting into trouble for minor infractions of the rules. When Charles finds out, he approaches the teacher, who manages to smooth it all over, and, as a result, will not listen when Laura says that things haven't changed. Mr. Applewood, however, soon oversteps the mark completely and it isn't long before Miss Beadle is reinstated.moreless

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  • Seems like Walnut Grove's new teacher has a serious anger management issue.

    8.9
    "Great"
    By millerem99, Feb 26, 2009 Report Abuse
    When sweet Miss Beadle can't handle the flood of testosterone that's invaded her schoolroom when the older boys return from harvest, the school board votes to oust her in favor of a male who can get the job done. Little do they realize that their new hire has a serious anger management problem, which manifests itself in an outpouring of rage on unsuspecting and unoffending Half Pint. Harriet meddles in the mix and escalates the already unfortunate series of events by putting the idea in Mr. Applewood's the new teacher head that Laura used to be the teacher's pet.

    An episode that stands out in my mind from the time I was a kid, this season two treat is Little House at its best, with the Olson and Ingalls kids getting into it physically, tension when the scary new teacher arrives, and hilarity when Applewood fails to incite fear into the older boys.moreless

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  • Another excellent episode from Season Two.

    8.2
    "Great"
    By pisces_t, Nov 08, 2005 Report Abuse
    Another excellent episode from Season Two. After a series of practical jokes by classmates, Ms. Beadle resigns from the school. The school board determines a male teacher would be better suited for the class. Hannibal Applewood arrives the following week, and on recommendation from the Olesons, proceeds to torment Laura as much as possible, even suspending her from class for something she didn't do. When Charles realizes Applewood's true nature, he has Mary and Laura go to school without their homework intentionally so he can catch the mean teacher in the act. But the true "troublemaker" of the episode's title turns out to be two older students who caused the trouble in the first place. Eventually, Applewood is driven out of Walnut Grove by the Town Council..
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The actor who plays Herman also plays Etta Plum's fiance in the Season 10 movie Look Back to Yesterday. Edit
    • I think that it is interesting to note, that despite her troubles with Mr. Applewood, Laura laughs freely and uproariously along with the rest of the class when he is mocked by Herman, and she laughs again later when his bag is ruined with ink. You'd think she would keep her mouth shut to avoid incurring his wrath further. Edit
    • Early in the episode, Miss Beadle tells Charles that Laura needs to work a little harder on her fractions. However, on a progress report from Miss Beadle at the end, it says that Laura has shown "exceptional effort" with her mathematics. It is heavily implied that this report was written before Miss Beadle got fired, so this seems very contradictory. "Exceptional effort" means that there is very little need for improvement, and yet earlier in the episode, Miss Beadle claimed that Laura needed to try harder. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Filming Locations: Filmed at Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley and Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California. Edit
    • Richard Basehart, who guest starred as Mr. Applewood in this episode, was known on TV for being the Admiral in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. Edit
    • This is one of Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)'s favorite episodes, although she has said that it's tough for her to pick just one favorite. Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Nellie: It's all Laura Ingalls' fault. Mary: You say that again, and I'll slap your face! Nellie: If you try, then I'll pull your hair out by the roots! Edit
    • Mr. Applewood: (after whipping Herman) That'll teach you to be late for school. Herman: It taught me that you can't hit hard enough to tickle. Edit
    • Mr. Applewood: (when Charles shows up while he is preparing to whip Laura) Mr. Ingalls, what brings you here? Charles: My daughter forgot her homework. Mary, Laura, I want you to go home. Mr. Applewood: You caught me at an awkward time. I was in the middle of a little classroom problem. Charles: I heard your little "problem" all the way down the street. Edit

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