Season 1 · Episode 19

Child of Pain

Season
Season 1
Episode
19 (19 overall)
First aired
February 12, 1975
Network
NBC

Who’s in it: Charles IngallsLauraMary

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What happens

Laura and Mary notice that a classmate, Graham Stewart, is covered in bruises he refuses to explain. Charles realizes the boy is being beaten by his father, who drinks heavily and lashes out.

Charles takes Graham into the Ingalls home and confronts the father, a man in the grip of his addiction. The episode handles abuse and alcoholism with care, and asks whether a broken man can change for the sake of his son.

More from Prairie Talk

Prairie Talk is the fan show about Little House on the Prairie, hosted by Blades and Mayo. We made this episode guide for fellow fans.