I should warn you that the beginning of this episode is absolutely gut-wrenching and probably the most tragic scene for any show, movie, what have you. It's drastic even for Little House's standards. A piece of human garbage scooped up some newborn puppies and put them in a burlap sack, then the son of a bitch got on his wagon and took them to the pond where he tossed them in the water! Thank God Mary and Laura were there when it happened and without wasting a minute, they dove in to save the puppies. Good news, everyone, they're okay! Except for being a little shaken up and wet, they're going to be fine. Until they can find suitable homes for the pups, Jack has become their surrogate father. In an unrelated story, the Ingallses get a visit from Julia Sanderson, their kindly neighbor, and her kids John Jr., Carl and Alicia, who instantly fall in love with the pups. Alicia wanted one badly, and since she has the cutest baby face you ever saw, she appealed to her Ma's good nature and was allowed to take one. Now if there's anything that can be said of Julia Sanderson is that she was a very happy woman who loved life, loved her kids and her friends, everything was going perfectly for her... but, as the saying goes, into everyone's life, a little rain must fall. After being examined by Doc Baker, he confirmed that Julia had a short time to live. She had terminal cancer and she wasn't expected to live past a year. She broke the news to Charles as straightforward and bluntly as a person can. The saddened Ingalls patriarch was then given the task of asking around town for a possible new home for the children.
Julia was the definition of trooper. She accepted her fate right off the bat and her main concern was for John Jr., Carl, and Alicia, and not for herself. She wanted normal, God-fearin' folks that would take in her children for love and not out of sympathy for her. Speaking of the children, she broke the news to them in a more sentimental way, saying that she was going to live in Heaven with their father. She wouldn't stand for no crying, saying they were shedding tears for themselves. They should be proud that their mother has been chosen to go home to be with the Lord. Good way of putting it, actually. Think of the good times and don't mourn, which really is easier said that done. At church following Reverend Alden's service, Julia broke the news to the congregation that she was not long for this world and then mentioned that her children will be needing a new home. She advised them not to give an answer right away, but to think long and hard about it. After that, the Ingalls', Edwards and Grace joined her for a fine picnic near the lake. The children played, the men played too and even Julia got a piece of the action. At that moment she never felt so alive. But then one fateful night, Charles and Caroline receive a visit from Doc Baker, saying Julia had taken a turn for the worse and she requested their presence. The Sanderson matriarch lay in her death bed, surrounded by close friends, as she reminded Charles of his promise to find her children a new home. They would be taken care of by Grace for the time being. Couldn't Grace take them in? Well, we'll deal with that in Part II. Julia's funeral came a few days later. Reverend Alden read a passage she'd requested. It went as follows: "Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that's how I'll remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."
Beautifully done from start to finish. This is probably one of the show's most dramatic and tragic episodes, and certainly one of the best written and acted as well. Michael Landon did an outstanding job writing and directing this episode. It comes straight from the heart and completely catches the human spirit, as well as put something as complicated and mysterious as death into a better perspective. Granted, I think that scene at the beginning with the puppies was overdoing it a bit, but I think it was there as a comparison/contrast moment. We see this farmer who obviously doesn't want the puppies and doesn't care what happens to them, and then we have Julia Sanderson who cares more for her children than anything else in the world and what happens to them is her top priority. As far as acting goes, Patricia Neal stole the show. She was wonderful as Julia Sanderson, one of the show's most positive characters. Her death was indeed a tragic one, although I think she should have been introduced earlier in the series which would have made a much bigger impact. Patricia went home to be with the Lord about a year ago, and it was too soon, I think. So to all you Little House fans, I say go to Costco, buy a bulk pack of Kleenex and check out "Remember Me". This is one episode you won't forget.
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