In "Barn Burner," the story dealt with prejudice and hatred. Larrabee was a jerk who was mistakenly accused of barn burning, a major crime in those times. He was a bigot, and hated Joe Kagan because he was black. Larrabee got nervous and somewhat remorseful when it looked like the jury wanted to hang him. Joe Kagan wouldn't go against Larrabee and left the jury. After Andrew confessed and Larrabee was off the hook, he reverted back to his original bigoted mindset.

The final scene of this episode was rather unusual for LHOP and very poignant. It did not end with a feel-good, upbeat story resolution as usual. Larrabee and his wife were the last ones in the school room and he spewed out his evil venom shouting "I don't need no n***** defendin' me! I don't need nobody!" His wife just walked out and left him standing there.

A scene which I very much liked because as you stated, it wasn't ended on a "feel good" note. Life is not like that and I think Michael Landon wanted to show that bigots never change (most of them anyways) and no matter what, no matter how much of a human being Joe Kagan was and decided not to retaliate or use this opportunity to teach Larrabee a lesson, Larrabee could not and would not see the human kindness bestowed upon him by A BLACK MAN. :eek:

Larabee probably owed his life to Joe, but would never admit it. Even his
"friend" was ready to hang him. I agree about the ending, it isn't a
"happily ever after" ending. I know some people never change, but it
would've been nice if Larabee had thanked Joe, and Andy (for the
confession about the lantern) Even if he had done it grudgingly, it
would've been better than the last words he uttered in that episode.

Larabee probably owed his life to Joe, but would never admit it. Even his
"friend" was ready to hang him. I agree about the ending, it isn't a
"happily ever after" ending. I know some people never change, but it
would've been nice if Larabee had thanked Joe, and Andy (for the
confession about the lantern) Even if he had done it grudgingly, it
would've been better than the last words he uttered in that episode.

I think they wanted the final scene to have a shocking impact and make people think. It would have made bigotry and hatred seem less serious if they "made things ok" with fake apologies. Hell, Larrabee didn't even care if his wife and kids left him. A true bigot never changes. :(

I think they wanted the final scene to have a shocking impact and make people think. It would have made bigotry and hatred seem less serious if they "made things ok" with fake apologies. Hell, Larrabee didn't even care if his wife and kids left him. A true bigot never changes. :(
Very well said. I agree.

I think they wanted the final scene to have a shocking impact and make people think. It would have made bigotry and hatred seem less serious if they "made things ok" with fake apologies. Hell, Larrabee didn't even care if his wife and kids left him. A true bigot never changes. :(
That is some extremely sad drama there. He probably died with that bigoted cancer on him.

Seen this episode last night and something that mirrored the blind school burning down caught my eye. In the blind school, Doc Baker came to the conclusion the fire was started by the pipe. Plain and simple.

In the Barn Burner episode, Andrew seen the broken lantern on the ground and just ASSUMED it was his doing (leaving the lamp there) that caused the fire. Again, we know that it did cause the fire, HOWEVER, Andy didn't know that. Larrabee could have used the lantern to start the fire. Or during the fire, the lantern easily caught fire because of the kerosene in it and being close to the barn, it was caught in the blaze.

I hate how these deductions are readily made by people who are not experts. And Andy of all people, a CHILD. Gimme a break here. And surely in the "prairie" times, I highly doubt anyone would be considered a fire expert since everything could easily catch fire and it would be so damn hard to figure out what or who the culprit was.

Very well said. I agree.
I agree with that, too, Stacy. Very well said.