By Amber May
If you are searching for a clean, binge-worthy series to watch with your children, Netflix’s reboot of Little House on the Prairie may be exactly what you have been waiting for.
Reboots of beloved television shows often fail to capture the heart of the original. This series avoids that mistake. It stays grounded in the themes that made the Little House books and original television series so memorable, including family, faith, perseverance, sacrifice, and community.
The story follows Charles and Caroline Ingalls as they travel with their children to Independence, Kansas, hoping to build a new life. The family invests everything they have in the move. Once they arrive, there is no money or easy path back to the life they left behind.
The journey is difficult from the beginning. The Ingalls family must survive fast-moving rivers, wolves, dwindling finances, dangerous accidents, and months of living in tents while Charles works to build their home. They also face the complicated reality of settling on land occupied by the Osage people.
The series introduces viewers to a strong collection of characters who help bring the small community of Independence to life.
John Edwards is one of the first people Charles meets. Charles stumbles upon a shack and proceeds to investigate the shack. Johns see Charles looking around and introductions begin. Edwards has experienced his own share of hardship and is focused on survival when their paths cross. His friendship with Charles becomes an important part of the story.
William Mitchell is a friend of Edwards and a member of the Osage tribe. William often finds himself caught between two worlds. He sees settlers moving onto Osage land and understands that major changes are coming. He works to navigate those changes while remaining loyal to his people and their traditions. Charles meets William at John Edwards Shack the same day. William shares a close friendship with John and understands the hardships John has endured. Because of that, William watches out for him and treats him with patience and compassion. Their friendship adds warmth to the series and shows how loyalty can grow between people who have both faced difficult circumstances.
When the Ingalls family runs out of money and faces an uncertain future, Jemma James arrives with a much-needed basket of food. Jemma is the town busybody and leader of the local women’s group. She carries herself with a polished, big-city manner and believes everything should be handled properly. Caroline finds comfort in the familiarity of someone like Jemma on the prairie. she and Caroline quickly form a friendship.
Dr. George Tann is the community doctor. He makes regular rounds throughout Independence and eventually meets the Ingalls family. That relationship becomes important after an accident on the Ingalls property which leaves the family in urgent need of medical help. Dr. Tann is portrayed as a compassionate man who cares deeply about the welfare of everyone in the community.
Emily Henderson owns the general store and is clearly in love with Dr. Tann. Viewers can immediately sense the affection between them. Emily also cares for Caleb, an orphaned young man who helps her operate the store. Her love for Caleb reveals how much she loves being that mother like role for him.
After the Ingalls family arrives, Caleb meets Mary Ingalls, and sparks quickly begin to fly.
One of the strongest qualities of the reboot is its commitment to the spirit of the books and the original series. The show focuses on the Ingalls family’s struggles, relationships, and determination to build a better life.
It is also refreshing to find a modern Hollywood production that does not overwhelm viewers with political messaging. The series offers a clean viewing experience that families can enjoy together. There is no nudity or strong profanity, though parents should be aware that the story includes dangerous situations, illness, accidents, and the hardships of frontier life.
Little House on the Prairie provides something many viewers have been asking for, a simple and enjoyable family series that allows them to step away from the stress of everyday life.
The series is currently streaming on Netflix. It may be difficult to watch only one episode at a time.
Original article
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