History Recap / LittleHouseOnthePrairieS8E17APromiseToKeep

* AmbiguouslyRelated: There's been speculation that Grace's new paramour, Nathan Simms, whom she mentions in her letter to Isaiah, is related to Adam Simms, the farmer who married Miss Beadle and his son Luke (the one who almost married Nellie), in which case, Grace and Eva Beadle would become sisters-in-law.

* GriefInducedSplit: Isaiah's descent into alcoholism, fueled by the loss of his and Grace's eldest son John, destroys their wedded life and he tells her to GetOut.

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Narrowly averted when a letter from Grace arrives for Isaiah, informing him that she has a new paramour and is starting the procedures for their divorces, leading a sober Isaiah to seek for alcohol and nearly relapse--Thankfully, the Mercantile wasn't open and he sees the church, and goes in there to seek divine help instead.

* AmbiguouslyRelated: There's been speculation that Grace's new paramour, whom she mentions in her letter to Isaiah, is related to Adam Simms, the farmer who married Miss Beadle and his son Luke, in which case, Grace and Eva Beadle would become sisters-in-law.

* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: Narrowly averted when a letter from Grace arrives for Isaiah, informing him that she has a new love interest a is starting the procedures for their divorces, leading a sober Isaiah to seek for alcohol and nearly relapse--Thankfully, the Mercantile wasn't open and he sees the church, and goes in there to seek divine help instead.

* OffTheWagon: Mr. Edwards is largely able to keep his drinking under control and/or stay sober until John Jr.'s violent death. The after-effects of those drinking binges – as this episode opens, it's apparent they've been taking place for months – become all to real for his family.

* TheOtherDarrin: Although Kyle Richards returns as Isaiah's daughter Alicia, both his wife and son have been recast, with season 4 guest star Corrine Camacho (neè Michaels) replacing Bonnie Bartlett as Grace, and David Kaufman taking over as Carl, who had previously been played by Brian Part during seasons 2-3.

* YouAreNotAlone: When Rev. Alden reveals to Edwards that he, too, is a recovering alcoholic who once lost his entire family (although to different circumstances; in his case, they all died of an illness).
* YouLookFamiliar: Corrine Michaels plays Grace Edwards; she had appeared in Season 4's "My Ellen" as Mrs. Taylor.

* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Their deep-seated love and devotion for each other obviously goes beyond Isaiah teaching her to spit when she was a child, but Laura (half-jokingly) cites this as why she offers to help her old friend recover (even after his own family and best friend Charles have washed their hands of him.

* TheOtherDarrin: Although Kyle Richards returns as Isaiah's daughter Alicia, both his wife and son have been recast, with season 4 guest star Corrine Camacho (neè Michaels) replacing Bonnie Bartlett as Grace, and David Kaufman taking over as Carl, who had previously been played by Brian Part during seasons 2-3.

* DrunkDriver: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, despite being adapted to the 1880s, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here: A drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, as a sober Albert desperately tries to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and is run over, suffering a compound fracture, but due to Edwards panicking and not immediately seeking medical treatment for Albert, his injury is aggravated and puts him at risk of losing his leg.

* SameCharacterDifferentActor: Although Kyle Richards returns as Isaiah's daughter Alicia, both his wife and son have been recast, with season 4 guest star Corrine Camacho (neè Michaels) replacing Bonnie Bartlett as Grace, and David Kaufman taking over as Carl, who had previously been played by Brian Part during seasons 2-3.

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship – following an accident a drunken Edwards had caused that resulted in Albert sustaining a compound fracture to his leg – Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almanzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.

* DrunkDriver: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, despite being adapted to the 1880s, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here: A drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, as a sober Albert desperately tries to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and is run over, suffering a compound fracture that might cause him to lose his leg.
* HeelFaithTurn: Mr. Edwards walking into the church at the lowest point of his life, realizing that his own faults had led him to this point, and he asks God for his guidance and support. He gets support from Rev. Alden, who reveals that he, too, was once in Edwards shoes.
* HeelRealization: When Mr. Edwards realizes the accident he caused while driving his buckboard while drunk nearly resulted in tragedy.

** Literally, for Albert, when Edwards drives over the curb, causing Albert to fall into the street and into the path of another stagecoach. Although the ensuing collision causes a compound fracture that puts him in danger of losing his leg, fortunately for Albert, the limb is saved and he suffers no permanent damage.

* DrunkDriver: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, despite being adapted to the 1880s, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here: A drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, as a sober Albert desperately tries to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and is run over, suffering a compound fracture that might cause him to lose his leg... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Edwards realizes what he has done]].

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship – following an accident a drunken Edwards had caused that resulted in (fortunately) Albert sustaining a compound fracture to his leg – Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almanzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship – following an accident a drunken Edwards had caused that resulted in (fortunately) minor injuries to Albert – Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almanzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.

* DrunkDriver: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, despite being adapted to the 1880s, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here: A drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, as a sober Albert desperately tries to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and although he is (amazingly) only slightly hurt ... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Edwards realizes what he has done]].

** Literally, for Albert, when Edwards drives over the curb, causing Albert to fall into the street and into the path of another stagecoach. Albert escapes with minor injuries.

* DrunkDriver: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here, as a drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, a sober Albert desperately trying to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and although he is (amazingly) only slightly hurt ... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Edwards realizes what he has done]].

* DrunkDriving: It wasn't until the 1910s when the automobile became affordable for the common man, and the 1930s -- after Prohibition was outlawed -- that drunk driving became a national concern. Yet, the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving are nevermore clear than here, as a drunken Edwards recklessly drives the delivery wagon down the street, a sober Albert desperately trying to get control of the reins. The wagon drives over a curb, Albert falls off and although he is (amazingly) only slightly hurt ... [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone Edwards realizes what he has done]].

* OffTheWagon: Mr. Edwards is largely able to keep his drinking under control and/or stay sober until John Jr.'s violent death. The aftayedr-effects of those drinking binges – as this episode opens, it's apparent they've been taking place for months – become all to real for his family.

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship – following an accident a drunken Edwards had caused that resulted in (fortunately) minor injuries to Albert – Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almonzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.

* PrayerAsALastResort: Positively portrayed, as Mr. Edwards finally admits his weaknesses and failures, and need for a higher power to guide him through troubled times. His conversion comes after learning that his wife has initiated divorce proceedings and a desperate attempt to buy alcohol fails. As he is trying to shake open the doors, he sees the church and realizes He is calling.

* OffTheWagon: Mr. Edwards is largely able to keep his drinking under control and/or stay sober until John Jr.'s violent death. The after-effects of those drinking binges – as this episode opens, it's apparent they've been taking place for months – become all to real for his family.

* OffTheWagon: Edwards is largely able to keep his drinking under control and/or stay sober until John Jr.'s violent death.

* OffTheWagon: Edwards is largely able to keep his drinking under control and/or stay sober until John Jr.'s violent death.

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship, Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almonzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.

* TheAlcoholic: Mr. Edwards. Fueled by [[DrowningMySorrows his grief over John Jr.'s death]] earlier in the season, Edwards – who early in the series had a drinking problem – as with John Jr.'s death, fueled by the death of his wife and young daughter during a smallpox outbreak – but had sobered up thanks to Charles' influence. However, John Jr.'s death made him [[OffTheWagon fall off the wagon]]. Later, after Charles breaks off the friendship, Edwards stays sober while staying with Laura and Almonzo, but almost falls off again when he learns that Grace has initiated divorce proceedings.