Did Charles Favor Laura?

[Madame X]

It kind of bugs me how Charles was so partial to Laura. He didn't even try to hide it. There were times when he came in or the girls came in and he barely acknowledged Mary and gushed all over Half-Pint. I can tell Mary sensed the favoritism. Caroline should have said something to Charles not to be so obvious about his love for Laura. Caroline didn't seem to play favorites.

I know that the books were written by Laura so most of the stories would be about her, and I know Charles loved Mary and was a great Pa, but I think the writers should have noticed that Pa favored Laura too much. They could have given Mary better scenes and storylines with her Pa instead of filling in the series with ridiculous episodes about dreams, a godsister, a werewolf, a creeper, a monster, flashbacks and the other unpopular episodes.

Maybe the real-life Charles favored Laura so they used that from the books. Does anyone out there know for sure?

[Sterling Holobyte]

Originally Posted by Madame X

They could have given Mary better scenes and storylines with her Pa instead of filling in the series with ridiculous episodes about dreams, a godsister, a werewolf, a creeper, a monster, flashbacks and the other unpopular episodes.

Except for the godsister one definitely, most of those you mentioned are some of my favorite eps.


As for the favoritism, I don't know about that for sure. Maybe Charles did have a little favoritism toward Laura because he always wanted a boy, and Laura was very tom-boyish.

[catlover79]

On the show, Carrie and Grace were sure passed over. Even fictional child Cassandra got more airtime than those two. Mary and Laura seemed to be the two favorites.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by catlover79

On the show, Carrie and Grace were sure passed over. Even fictional child Cassandra got more airtime than those two. Mary and Laura seemed to be the two favorites.

Exactly. I sure would have liked to see those two get some good time with Pa. It was almost as if his desire for a son was played TOO REAL. I mean, it seemed like by the time Carrie came along, he was feeling sorry he hadn't had a son.

[mstewart]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Exactly. I sure would have liked to see those two get some good time with Pa. It was almost as if his desire for a son was played TOO REAL. I mean, it seemed like by the time Carrie came along, he was feeling sorry he hadn't had a son.

In the episode when Albert came along he was favoring him over Laura. Caroline had to show Charles that.

Charles and Laura have a special relationship. Many fathers and daughters have that. It is something about a father and his daughter.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by mstewart

In the episode when Albert came along he was favoring him over Laura. Caroline had to show Charles that.

Charles and Laura have a special relationship. Many fathers and daughters have that. It is something about a father and his daughter.

Charles always wanted a son. He didn't keep that a secret. He had Andy helping him with work on the roof and he told Caroline how lucky Jonathan was to have Andy. Caroline was pregnant at the time and she was wanting to give Charles a son. That episode is so sad because you can see how badly Caroline wanted to please Charles and give him what he wanted.

Charles really showed it also in the LORD IS MY SHEPARD two-parter. He seemed to ignore Laura (in her eyes) when Caroline gave birth to their son.

[mstewart]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Charles always wanted a son. He didn't keep that a secret. He had Andy helping him with work on the roof and he told Caroline how lucky Jonathan was to have Andy. Caroline was pregnant at the time and she was wanting to give Charles a son. That episode is so sad because you can see how badly Caroline wanted to please Charles and give him what he wanted.

Charles really showed it also in the LORD IS MY SHEPARD two-parter. He seemed to ignore Laura (in her eyes) when Caroline gave birth to their son.

As I was stating he did the same thing to Laura when Albert came along. The whole dynamic shifted when Albert came.

Episode #96, Fagin, showed Charles obvious longing for a son when he ignored Laura. Caroline got on Charles about it and he finally saw it Caroline's way and made it right with Laura.

Here is the writeup on that episode: http://www.tv.com/little-house-on-th...ist;ep_title;6