| "The Wild Boy (Part 1)" | |
| Season 9, Episode 6 #189 overall in Series | |
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| Original air date | November 1, 1982 |
| Episode Guide | |
 IMDb
|
The Wild Boy (Part 1) |
| Episode Chronology | |
| Previous episode: "Little Lou" |
Next episode: "The Wild Boy (Part 2)" |
Plot[]
A traveling sideshow comes to Walnut Grove, with a wild boy as its main attraction. The wild boy, Matthew Rogers, escapes and becomes friends with the Wilders who later learn the real reason he acts wild is because he is given morphine.
The children are enthralled by the sideshow and the charisma of its owner, Dr. Joshua McQueen. One night, Jeb, Jason, Jenny and Nancy sneak off to see the caged attractions, and that's where they meet Matthew. Jeb and Jason are frightened away while Nancy tries to poke at him with a stick, but it is Jenny who sees something in the boy, and Matthew also senses good in Jenny.
Eventually, Mrs. Oleson gleefully promotes the circus, despite the objections of her husband, who learns of Matthew and that he likely was being abused. (In cut scenes, the abuse is confirmed as Matthew suffers nightmares about being whipped and suffering other abuse, and forced to perform by his master, Dr. McQueen. Nels and several others – Dr. Baker, Mr. Edwards and John Carter among others – have met McQueen and were very wary of him.)
When Laura and Almonzo realize they can't take care of Matthew and that he needs help with permanent withdrawal from his morphine addiction, Mr. Edwards realizes he can take care of him and give him the care he needs.
Eventually, McQueen and his henchman, Luther, realize Matthew is missing. What to do? They decide to offer a $50 reward for his whereabouts. Nobody bites, and word has it nobody wants to bite ... until ...
... one day at the mill, John and Mr. Edwards are talking about Matthew and how he's coming along ... and who should overhear the conversation but Nancy! Her eyes light up like a Christmas tree and she and her mother decide they're going to reveal where he's at, and if Mr. Edwards resists he'll be arrested.
Cast[]
- Melissa Gilbert: Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Dean Butler: Almanzo Wilder
- Shannen Doherty: Jenny Wilder
- Jennifer and Michell Steffin: as Rose Wilder
- Victor French: as Isaiah Edwards
- Stan Ivar: as John Carter
- Pamela Roylance: as Sarah Carter
- Lindsay Kennedy: as Jeb Carter
- David Friedman: as Jason Carter
- Leslie Landon: as Etta Plum
- Katherine MacGregor: as Harriet Oleson
- Richard Bull: as Nels Oleson
- Allison Balson: Nancy Oleson
- Ketty Lester: as Hester Sue Terhune
- Kevin Hagen: as Dr. Hiram Baker
- Dabbs Greer: as Reverend Robert Alden
- Sam Edwards: as Bill Anderson
Guest Stars[]
- Jonathan Hall Kovacs: Matthew Rogers
- Anthony Zerbe: Dr. Joshua McQueen
- David Hooks: Luther
External links[]
TV Guide
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| Little Lou | The Wild Boy (Part 2) |