Season 3

Laura's rivalry with Nellie reaches new heights, Grandpa Ingalls comes to visit, and Mary's romance with John Jr. is tested. A deadly blizzard and Mary's frightening injury make this one of the show's most dramatic seasons. It's also Mr. Edwards' last season before a long absence. Season 3 aired on NBC in 1976–77 and has 21 episodes. Pick one below for a full synopsis.

1. 1The CollectionFirst aired September 27, 1976When Reverend Alden is injured, a stranger named Caleb steps in to nurse him and help with the church.
2. 2BunnyFirst aired October 4, 1976Laura's old horse Bunny, now owned by Nellie, is treated badly.
3. 3The RaceFirst aired October 11, 1976Laura and Bunny enter the Hero Township horse race, going up against Nellie and her expensive thoroughbred.
4. 4Little Girl LostFirst aired October 18, 1976While out collecting bugs for a school project, little Carrie wanders off and falls into an abandoned mine shaft.
5. 5The Monster of Walnut GroveFirst aired November 1, 1976On Halloween, Laura becomes convinced that Nels Oleson has murdered Harriet and that she has seen the evidence.
6. 6Journey in the Spring (Part 1)First aired November 15, 1976After Charles's mother dies, his father, Lansford Ingalls, comes to visit Walnut Grove.
7. 7Journey in the Spring (Part 2)First aired November 22, 1976When Bunny is badly hurt, Grandpa Lansford makes the painful decision to put her down.
8. 8FredFirst aired November 29, 1976Laura adopts a billy goat named Fred, and he's a handful.
9. 9The Bully BoysFirst aired December 6, 1976The Galender brothers arrive in Walnut Grove and terrorize the town, bullying and threatening anyone who gets in their way.
10. 10The HuntersFirst aired December 20, 1976Charles takes Laura on a hunting trip and teaches her to shoot.

11. 11BlizzardFirst aired December 27, 1976On a mild winter day, Miss Beadle lets school out early, and the children head home just as a ferocious blizzard sweeps in.
12. 12I'll Ride the WindFirst aired January 10, 1977John Edwards Jr.
13. 13QuarantineFirst aired January 17, 1977Mr.
14. 14Little WomenFirst aired January 24, 1977Laura and Mary help stage a school play based on Little Women, and they recruit their friend Ginny Clark.
15. 15Injun KidFirst aired January 31, 1977Joseph, a boy who is part Sioux, moves to Walnut Grove to live with his grandfather, who cannot accept him because of his heritage.
16. 16To Live with Fear (Part 1)First aired February 14, 1977Mary is kicked by a horse and badly injured.
17. 17To Live with Fear (Part 2)First aired February 21, 1977Mary needs another operation, and Charles keeps working himself ragged on the railroad.
18. 18The Wisdom of SolomonFirst aired March 7, 1977Solomon Henry, an eleven-year-old Black boy, runs away from home because he's tired of being treated unfairly.
19. 19The Music BoxFirst aired March 14, 1977Laura borrows Nellie's music box without asking, and Nellie finds out.
20. 20The ElectionFirst aired March 21, 1977The school is electing a class president, and Mary, Nellie and an unpopular boy named Elmer all run.
21. 21Gold CountryFirst aired April 4, 1977Heavy rains ruin the planting season, so the Ingalls and Edwards families head west to pan for gold.