Jonathan Garvey was an enigma. He was a kind, gentle giant who was a hard worker, great father and good friend.

On the flipside, he was a macho, stubborn, irrational jerk at times. At least twice he wanted to leave Alice for childish reasons. He was willing to break up his family for the sake of foolish pride. After his barn burned down with his harvest inside, Alice wanted to go to work at the post office to help the family. Jonathan couldn't handle that and would rather divorce her than let her work. Where is the logic? Did he think that by leaving his wife and son alone he was better supporting his family? What an idiot. :(

You said it girlfriend. I equate his stubborn pride with that of the James Evans character on Good Times. The only difference is James never threatened to leave his family.

Pride is one of those seven deadly sins. And it is no wonder, it can really get in the way of rational thinking. Sure, there is nothing wrong with having pride as long as it doesn't interfere with your family, providing for them, etc.

Pride gets in the way when it becomes conceited, arrogant, disdainful and/or haughtiness. Pride in a postive way is self-respect. What self-respect did Jonathan have by not allowing his wife to HELP with putting food on the table, paying the bills, etc? That is plain STUBBORNESS AND BULLHEADEDNESS.

I guess it was a sign of the times where the man was the breadwinner, the sole provider, the one who should seek work when there is no money, etc. I can see that, but to actually leave your family because you can't bring in any money??? Gimme a break here! :crazy:

I hated how he was so stubborn and made it this big ol' fight where there was no need. He even sold the damn team!!! Now how stupid was that? IDIOT!

I agree with both of you. At the LHOP fan event/reunion I attended in 2005, Hersha Parady shared that she and Merlin Olsen have kept in touch over the years. She also said he was and is a very sweet man. :)

I agree with both of you. At the LHOP fan event/reunion I attended in 2005, Hersha Parady shared that she and Merlin Olsen have kept in touch over the years. She also said he was and is a very sweet man. :)
Back then he was a hunk (in my eyes). ;) Glad to hear he is just as sweet as I imagined him to be.

Does anyone remember the sixth season episode, "Crossed Connections"? He learned Alice had a brief first marriage to a guy who was in jail. He considered leaving Alice then, too!! :mad:

Men sure did not know how to man up in some areas where the wives were concerned. The wife is there to help and support. Let her if she wants to. "Get off the pride ride." Dr. Phil's great great grandad might have appeared in the 1800's and counciled their marriage.

Does anyone remember the sixth season episode, "Crossed Connections"? He learned Alice had a brief first marriage to a guy who was in jail. He considered leaving Alice then, too!! :mad:
Yeah, I hate how Harriet was behind that whole mess. Her damn nosiness caused such grief. :mad: I guess we have to see how Garvey was thinking, especially for that era. A woman who wasn't "pure" at marriage, was not much of a woman. I know that is stupid NOW, but back then, a woman's virtue was everything. Garvey even insinuated that Alice must have "had" more than one man before him. That is when Alice slapped him. GOOD FOR YOU ALICE!

^ He DESERVED that slap, too!! Go Alice!! :clap

I forgot about that. He had it comin'. I know that he was a sweet guy and all, but did he do some creepin' as well? As far as Alice goes, she should have told her husband about the previous marriage.

As far as Alice goes, she should have told her husband about the previous marriage. Yep!:nod: You don't keep secrets like that from someone you love.

I forgot about that. He had it comin'. I know that he was a sweet guy and all, but did he do some creepin' as well? As far as Alice goes, she should have told her husband about the previous marriage.
What reason did she give? That she was so young and I believe it was implied that the marriage was never consumated. At least that is what I recall. I am not saying she should have kept that from him, but I think she felt that telling him abt a previous marriage, no matter how short a time it was, he would leave her. Believe me, being a woman, that is what she was worried abt.

^ The man she married as a teen was a drunk and a gambler. He kept all that from her. I believe Irene was right; they never did consummate the marriage. I think that's why Alice was able to get the marriage annulled.

I wished that she'd shared that with him. When you love someone, you work through the problems, not let the pride get in the way.

Very true Thomas. No matter, she should have told him. She should have told Jonathan exactly the reasons. Being a woman, I would want to avoid any hurt for the man, but I guess you are correct since the past can come up to haunt you and make it worse.

^ :yeahthat

Irene!! I found a current pic of Merlin Olsen on the Prairie Fans website. For all you LHOP fans, this is the ULTIMATE site!! http://www.prairiefans.com

Irene!! I found a current pic of Merlin Olsen on the Prairie Fans website. For all you LHOP fans, this is the ULTIMATE site!! http://www.prairiefans.com
Oh my! He has aged very well. He looks great! :cool: ;)

Oh my! He has aged very well. He looks great! :cool: ;)
I agree!! :cool: