At its core, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie was always a story about hope, family, and resilience. New beginnings and old ones. Familiar comforts brought on by the belief that no matter the tragedy, things will work out in the end. It’s rare for a season to evoke as much hope, but that’s what this story has always done, and that’s exactly what we get in Netflix’s latest adaptation, too.
“Dream as big as the sky, then make a plan to get it.” That’s what Charles Ingalls says in the finale, and it ultimately becomes the catalyst for the ending of Season 1 and where the series will lead us toward Walnut Grove. It’s a gorgeous, albeit at times heartbreaking show, and yet, it’s easy to invest in because it’s an excellent, nuanced adaptation.
Starring Crosby Fitzgerald, Luke Bracey, Alice Halsey, Skywalker Hughes, Wren Zhawenim Gotts, Warren Christie, Alyssa Wapanatâhk, Meegwun Fairbrother, Jocko Sims, Barrett Doss, and more, the adaptation shines with a lovely cast that makes this version just as comforting as the ones that’ve come before. A must-watch for the whole family, it really is the type of show we’ve been missing in more ways than one as a book-to-screen adaptation.
There’s a lot of nostalgia these days for pieces of our past that make the heavy days more bearable, and Little House on the Prairie Season 1 is the perfect story to tap into that. It’s the exact type of narrative to remind us of the fact that resilience comes in all shapes and sizes and that human beings are capable of whatever they put their minds to.
For many people, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation Little Women easily became a comfort watch, and I have a feeling we’re getting the same thing here. There’s something cozy and warm about each frame, even when the scene itself is a little heavy. Rebecca Sonnenshine is an excellent showrunner because so much of the series feels like a balm that’s especially relevant right now.
Most impressive are the younger actresses, Halsey, Hughes, and Gotts, who play Laura, Mary, and Good Eagle, respectively. They each bring stunning layers to their characters, making each of their scenes some of the most heartbreaking moments of TV we’ll get all year. The dynamic between the sisters and the evolving friendship between Good Eagle is so lovely that it’s easy to wish we’ll get more of them in Season 2.
And for Charles Ingalls, Bracey has big shoes to fill, but he does so effortlessly, ensuring that at this point, any role he’s in is that much more impressive than the one before. For viewers who’ve seen him in other properties, the actor is particularly great at delivering unique mannerisms to allow each of his characters to stand out.
Ultimately, for fans of cozy family dramas and those who grew up loving the story, Little House on the Prairie is worth every minute. It’s the kind of reboot one could hope for in how it captures the heart of the story while delivering something new to make it worth its salt.
Little House on the Prairie is now streaming on Netflix.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Netflix