Abusive Parents: AND SO MUCH HOW!! Matthew is not a natural mute- it's strongly implied that he was unlucky enough to be put in a place where the people supposed to look after him decided an appropriate punishment was to pour lye down his throat, thereby implying the stuff melted his vocal chords and is now doomed to a life of silence and misunderstanding, and being turned into the chew toy of an abusive Joshua McQueen who easily made him look like a deranged wild boy because Matthew couldn't communicate. McQueen is arguably far worse, as he drugs Matthew into obedience and knows his dependence on morphine will drive him crazy if he doesn't keep taking it. The fact that the judge has to be convinced Joshua is a competent guardian and almost agrees with him makes for some high-grade nightmare fuel, including Matthew's own morphine-induced madness.
Actually Pretty Funny: When Jeb tricks Matthew by throwing him into the water, Matthew takes it in stride and pulls him into the water too. Jeb (who seemed to be showing jealousy of Matthew's bond with Jenny) takes it in stride and they become friends.
Because You Were Nice to Me: After escaping, Matthew hides at the Wilder's barn and seeks help from Jenny, because she stood up for him when the kids snuck into his tent to peer on him and Nancy Oleson picked on him by poking him with a stick.
Creepy Circus Music: Played during cut scenes where Matthew relives nightmares of being abused by his circus master, Dr. McQueen.
Green-Eyed Monster: Jeb Carter shows signs of jealousy upon seeing Matthew bond with Jenny.
During the hearing to determine Matthew's guardianship, Dr. McQueen's assistant Luther falsely testifies that the boy was treated well by his boss; based partly on this claim, the judge initially prepares to rule in McQueen's favor, but just before he can do so, Luther's conscience takes hold and he admits not only to lying about Matthew's treatment (as well as giving the real story on the abuse which the boy endured), but that McQueen paid him to do so! However, while this revelation convinces Judge Simpson to revoke McQueen's guardianship, he still deems the boy unfit for society and orders Matthew returned to the asylum from whence he came.
After Matthew, with help from Laura and Isaiah, delivers a speech in church the day of his scheduled departure from Walnut Grove, followed by one from Isaiah about how no one is truly "normal", Judge Simpson (who was also in attendance that day) is so moved that he throws out his aforementioned ruling, thus allowing the boy to remain with his surrogate father, Isaiah.
Henpecked Husband: A rare inversion for Nels: after learning that Harriet was responsible for notifying Dr. McQueen about Matthew's location to get the reward that McQueen was offering, Nels not only tears up the $50 bank draft and destroys the Mercantile's entire supply of McQueen's "Wonder Elixir", but lets Harriet have it for what she did, even shouting her down when she briefly tries to defend her actions.
Papa Wolf: When Matthew flees during the hearing after Dr. McQueen provokes him, the boy's surrogate father Isaiah pushes McQueen into a corner and snaps his cane in two, calling him "scum"; had Isaiah not been restrained after breaking the cane, he may well have beaten McQueen to a pulp.
Snake Oil Salesman: Dr. McQueen, who when not abusing Matthew, takes his wagon through various towns selling bottles of his "Wonder Elixir", which can supposedly cure every common ailment known to man, using his assistant Luther as an audience plant to "demonstrate" the product's alleged abilities; Dr. Baker later denounces McQueen as being a "flim-flam doctor".
Tears of Remorse: McQueen's assistant Luther is shown with tears in his eyes as he confesses to having lied about how his boss treated Matthew and offers to let them do what they want to him as long as they free the boy.
What Happened to the Mouse?: After Luther confesses McQueen's crimes and he loses custody of Matthew, they don't reappear again, so it's not made clear whether they were prosecuted for their crimes or escaped punishment.
Wild Child: Matthew, as he is advertised by Dr. McQueen (simply as "The Wild Boy of the North"), the feature attraction of the circus. In reality, it was because he was given large amounts of morphine (by his circus master) to make him act "wild."
Would Hurt a Child: McQueen has no reservations about whipping Matthew, both for his sadistic pleasure and to frighten Matthew into performing … or else worse will happen.
