Netflix Little House on the Prairie Episode 4 recap: Life Let us Cherish

[L-R]: Barrett Doss as EMILY HENDERSON, Jocko Sims as DR. TANN

This is the episode 4 recap. For all of my Little House recaps, visit the landing page.

Last episode, we saw Mary pass out with a fever. It's malaria. Many in Independence are sick. The Ingalls family are not the only ones hit, but we mainly see how this impacts their family. Dr. Tann visits the store to pick up the quinine mentioned in the last episode. The new shipment hasn't come, but Jemma James bought a bunch awhile back.  

Dr. Tann pays Ms. James a visit, hoping she will be willing to part with at least some of it. Incredulously, she refuses and hoards the supply. Dr. Tann tries to talk some sense into her. He will replace the quinine and pay her, of course. It's no use. She says it's for her family, just in case. I wonder what Caroline would think of the supposed first lady of the town not lending help to the Ingalls family? 

At the Ingalls house, initially Laura and Pa both feel okay. Charles decides to serve Laura a cup of coffee in hopes that it will stave off a fever. Laura thinks it tastes like "burned dirt." Fair enough, Laura. Then Charles gets feverish, continuing to see visions of his father and brothers. Laura is the only one that seems to feel okay. She does her best to keep the farm running, doing the chores her parents can't do. 

[L-R]: Skywalker Hughes as MARY, Alice Halsey as LAURA, Luke Bracey as CHARLES

Meanwhile, Caroline has her own visions of a life she could have had. In her fever, she imagines she has left Charles and returned to childhood home. She has a conversation with her sister, Eliza, who talks about a special dress and a boy that she might still charm. 

Dr. Tann returns to his office, looking for any hints of other things he can use besides quinine to help his community members. Lacey Aubert intervenes and tells him that she has come upon a supply of quinine and can help. She doesn't say where she got it. They take off together to deliver the much needed medicine. 

Meanwhile, Laura panics. With both her parents and Mary sick, she decides to ride a horse to get help. It's then that she returns outside and sees both horses missing. With no other course of action available, she decides to travel on foot. She arrives at the Mitchells house and finds White Sun and Good Eagle both flush with fever. She gives them a drink of water and then sets off to find Dr. Tann from their house. Mrs. Mitchell gives her an Osage blessing. 

Alice Halsey as LAURA

Caleb overhears Ms. Henderson and Dr. Tann talking about the Ingalls family. Against Emily Henderson's wishes, he sneaks out of the store to check on Mary. During her walkabout, Laura sees a vision of her grandmother. It's then that she realizes that she has malaria and passes out. Luckily, Caleb finds her on the way and is able to get her safely to the Mitchells, where she recovers. 

Dr. Tann arrives just in time to give the Ingalls some quinine and nurse the family back to health. When Caroline awakens, she finds Lacey Aubert nearby. Caroline stumbles over words of gratitude. She was judgmental towards Lacey when she first met her because of her clothing choices. During their conversation, she learns that it's because of Mr. Edwards that Lacey had this supply of quinine. What a difference between this crew and Jemma James. When it was needed, it was Lacey, Mr. Edwards, Dr. Tann, and the Mitchells who were there for them. Caroline doesn't know about Jemma James' hoarding, and it's not clear whether she ever finds out, but that day turns a corner in who she considers her people. 

[L-R]: Crosby Fitzgerald as CAROLINE, Alyssa Wypanatâhk as WHITE SUN

Carolina later travels to the Mitchells to pick up Laura and thank her for taking Laura in. She has a conversation with White Sun and is impressed with their family home. She finds works for literature and tasteful decor that anyone would find cozy. We also learn that White Sun lost a daughter. This has kept her from saying prayers. But that day, she sings a prayer of gratitude for helping her family through the sickness. White Sun and Caroline decide that Good Eagle can come and do schooling with Caroline. 

The episode ends with the family singing a song around a fire. Caroline holds her belly and seems to jolt. Perhaps the baby has given a kick inside her belly? Overall this episode was a mixed bag. One the one hand, not much happened. There was a repeated cycle of Carolina and Charles seeing visions that represent each of the doubts they wrestle with inside. I think for them, perhaps, there have found hope from surviving this health crisis and perhaps a new resolve to start acting like a team. Laura and Mary are smiling at each other by the end.