This week on the Little House 50th Anniversary Podcast, we are positively GIDDY to dive into one of the most iconic, unhinged, and endlessly discussed episodes of all time: “Bunny” (Season 3, Episode 2). Truly, if you’ve listened to this podcast before, you already know—we bring this episode up constantly. And now? It finally gets the full deep-dive treatment it deserves with the villain herself, Alison, who gives us all the behind-the-scenes stories!

At the center of it all: sweet Bunny… and Nellie Oleson, who takes “horse girl” to deeply alarming new levels. When Bunny is gifted to Laura Ingalls, it sparks one of the pettiest—and most entertaining—rivalries in Walnut Grove history. Naturally, Nellie responds in the most reasonable way possible: by abusing her own horse, tormenting Laura, and generally behaving like the villain she is.

What truly cements this episode in the Little House Hall of Fame, though, is Nellie’s absolutely deranged commitment to the bit—faking paralysis after the big fall and milking it for all it’s worth. The level of manipulation? Oscar-worthy. The lack of adult skepticism? Truly inspiring. Watching her gleefully torment Laura while confined to a wheelchair is both infuriating and, frankly… kind of impressive?

And then—of course—we get the moment. The scene. The reason this episode lives rent-free in all of our minds: Laura Ingalls finally snapping and sending Nellie Oleson flying down that hill in her wheelchair in one of the most satisfying acts of frontier justice ever put to screen. Was it ethical? No. Was it earned? Absolutely.

We also ask the hard-hitting questions this episode leaves behind—like… is Bunny a boy? A girl? Do we ever get a clear answer? (Justice for Bunny, who deserved better than being caught in the middle of this chaos.)

We break down every chaotic beat, from Nellie’s performance of a lifetime to the sheer audacity of that ending. This is the episode. The legend. The one we always talk about—and for good reason.

Then, join us on Patreon, where Alison tells us about the psychological benefits of playing a villian, and how being physical on the show (throwing, screaming, bashing) helped her during a personal turbulent childhood.

Links and Resources:

Haven’t signed up for Patreon yet? Get more behind-the-scenes info and fun conversation we can't do on the podcast...PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/LittleHousePodcast

www.LittleHouse50Podcast.com to connect with our hosts and link to their websites.

www.LivinOnaPrairieTV.com  Check out the award-winning series created by Pamela Bob, with special guest stars Alison Arngrim and Charlotte Stewart.

Prairie Legacy Productions - the place to go for info about all new Little House events!

To learn more about Little House on the Prairie, Visit www.littlehouseontheprairie.com

Facebook/Instagram/TikTok:
Dean Butler @officialdeanbutler
Alison Arngrim @alisonarngrim
Pamela Bob @thepamelabob, @prairietv

Social Media Team: Joy Correa and Christine Nunez 
https://www.paclanticcreative.com/


Producer: Tony Sweet
www.ubngo.com







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