Ancel Cook

Frank is elected "Man of the Year" down at the Lodge and a reluctant Ray and Robert are enlisted to prepare his tribute. When they show up at the Lodge to interview Frank's friends for the testimonial video, they're more than a little shocked by the intense passion behind the guy's comments about their father.

The Ingalls, Garveys, Olsens, and Albert get back to Walnut Grove to find it run down and in shabby condition. Lars Hansen, who founded Walnut grove over 50 years ago, has suffered a stroke, and is much like the town--on its last leg. The Ingalls and the Garveys go to the farms around town to let everyone know of their plans to fix the town up to restore it to its former glory.

While their fathers secretly trail them, young Albert Ingalls and Andy Garvey set off to prove their mettle as men by accepting a challenge to live by their wits during a week-long, overland walk from Walnut Grove to Sleepy Eye and back.

The Walton family has a monetary crisis, causing a grave misunderstanding that leads Grandpa to take Grandma and leave the family.

Fred is upset when he sees his new brother-in-law, a gambler who is very friendly and very white.