Observation abt the episode when Caroline gets that infection in her leg...

[Ireneparalegal]

Ok, just seen it today and again I am perplexed abt something.

Was the story set-up to make it seem like Caroline was going to cut off her leg but she only succeeded at actually making a cut in her leg - which according to Doc Baker, helped to eleviate the infection and saved her - and she never completed the "task" of cutting off her leg because she passed out...

OR

was it for dramatic purposes that we were led to believe that Caroline felt she had gangrene and needed to cut off her leg but that was NOT HER INTENT AT ALL. She was merely preparing the knife to open the wound and nothing else?

^^^^I HOPE THAT MADE SENSE.


First of all, I always wondered what was the purpose of this episode, what did Michael Landon think of when creating this episode especially for a show that was geared towards families with children. I was old enough to not be scared, but I always wondered abt that. I love this episode, don't get me wrong, it is one of my faves I just had those questions.

[catlover79]

Hmmm...I can't decide either. But you're right that Michael Landon sure put in a lot of disturbing things in a show geared towards kids and families - like the fire at the blind school, Sylvia's rape (and pregnancy) by the blacksmith wearing the clown mask, Albert's morphine addiction...need I go on??

[Ireneparalegal]

He sure did. I really wonder what his thoughts were for such topics, it intrigues me and yet I feel like we won't know because Landon is no longer with us.

That Sylvia two-parter was totally NOT necessary for this show. I don't get it. And it was also implied that because Sylvia was "more physically mature" then the other girls, that is why she got raped. When we know that has nothing to do with the violent act.

Yeah, since the first time the Caroline with the infected leg episode aired, I have always been bugged abt whether she really intended to cut off her leg or not. I mean, they had her reading the bible and they did a close up of the words, "cut off thy leg"...

[catlover79]

Sylvia is easily my least favorite episode of the show (and naturally a two-parter). It was beyond creepy.

[Ireneparalegal]

These two episodes sure have me perplexed as to why they were even considered and made. I will admit, I get glued to the episode abt Caroline's leg, I am not bothered by it. I am still confused as to what Caroline's actual intent was. To cut off her leg? Or was she just overreacting because of the infection. I haven't a clue.

[Madame X]

This is one of my favorite eps. too! Maybe reading that passage in the Bible gave her the idea to use a knife to do something to help herself. The closeup on the Bible passage created drama just with the idea she might do it.

I always drop everything when it comes to that scene even though I know what's going to happen. This is a case where our imagination supplies the horror.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Madame X

This is one of my favorite eps. too! Maybe reading that passage in the Bible gave her the idea to use a knife to do something to help herself. The closeup on the Bible passage created drama just with the idea she might do it.

I always drop everything when it comes to that scene even though I know what's going to happen. This is a case where our imagination supplies the horror.

Hi Stacey. What Season is this in?. I'm generally going thru the series in order but I'd like to skip ahead and see this one.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by rich p

Hi Stacey. What Season is this in?. I'm generally going thru the series in order but I'd like to skip ahead and see this one.

You don't have to skip too far ahead; it's in season 2 and it's called "A Matter of Faith."

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Madame X

You don't have to skip too far ahead; it's in season 2 and it's called "A Matter of Faith."

Thanks. I'll pop it in 1st thing tomorrow after I finish "The Lord Is My Shephard" (ep #14)

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Ok, just seen it today and again I am perplexed abt something.

Was the story set-up to make it seem like Caroline was going to cut off her leg but she only succeeded at actually making a cut in her leg - which according to Doc Baker, helped to eleviate the infection and saved her - and she never completed the "task" of cutting off her leg because she passed out...

OR

was it for dramatic purposes that we were led to believe that Caroline felt she had gangrene and needed to cut off her leg but that was NOT HER INTENT AT ALL. She was merely preparing the knife to open the wound and nothing else?

^^^^I HOPE THAT MADE SENSE.


First of all, I always wondered what was the purpose of this episode, what did Michael Landon think of when creating this episode especially for a show that was geared towards families with children. I was old enough to not be scared, but I always wondered abt that. I love this episode, don't get me wrong, it is one of my faves I just had those questions.

Well one thing for sure, everything seem to conspire against her having anyone to help her, and so in the end she had to rely on herself, and trust that each next step was the right one. The title suggests the theme of how important it is to have faith in oneself, one's religious beliefs and the power of prayer and meditation. Interesting how the Reverend and Doc Baker were both there, reinforcing this core theme of the series - that secular expertise and deep religious faith go hand in hand as complements.

About the wound. My interpretation is to try to open it. But again I don't think we'll ever know her TRUE intention - it seems to be have been left a mystery - maybe as a metaphor symbolizing the many mysteries of life - that no matter how much rational knowledge we acquire - we will never know all of nature's (and by extension God's) secrets. She may have wanted to cut off her entire leg but didn't have the strength or proper tool(s) to do so - and so she did what she could do. As for the infection - I was thinking tetanus. I have to look up in google just when vaccines for the bacteria were invented - but I'd imagine sometime in the 20th century. Boy, this sure makes you grateful we live in the times we live in when so much advanced medical help is available. They didn't even have a telephone (or cars) back then! And even with all we know today, many instances come up when science can not solve it all - and the only resource left is our faith and religious beliefs.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by rich p

Well one thing for sure, everything seem to conspire against her having anyone to help her, and so in the end she had to rely on herself, and trust that each next step was the right one. The title sugtgests the theme of how important it is to have faith in oneself, one's religious beliefs and the power of prayer and meditation. Interesting how the Reverend and Doc Baker were both there, reinforcing this core theme of the series - that secular expertise and deep religious faith go hand in hand as complements.

About the wound. My interpretation is to try to open it. But again I don't think we'll ever know her TRUE intention - it seems to be have been left a mystery - maybe as a metaphor symbolizing the many mysteries of life - that know matter how much rational knowledge we acquire - we will never know all of nature's (and by extension God's) secrets. She may have wanted to cut off her entire leg but didn't have the strength or proper tool(s) to do so - and so she did what she could do. As for the infection - I was thinking tetanus. I have to look up in google just when vaccines for the bacteria were invented - but I'd imagine sometime in the 20th century. Boy, this sure makes you grateful we live in the times we live in when so much advanced medical help is available. They didn't even have a telephone (or cars) back then! And even with all we know today, many instances come up when science can not solve it all - and the only resource left is our faith and religious beliefs.

Well thought out post and very astute.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Well thought out post and very astute.

Thanks sweetie. I am so enjoying this series. It really is nice to have ALL the eps of LHOP now, so I can really discuss the show (at least, sometime in the future - hopefully 3-4 mo's from now)

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by rich p

Thanks sweetie. I am so enjoying this series. It really is nice to have ALL the eps of LHOP now, so I can really discuss the show (at least, sometime in the future - hopefully 3-4 mo's from now)

Two channels that I have air LHOP so it would be nice to be able to chat more abt the show. Enjoy the series! I look forward to more discussions.

[Schmoopie]

I had forgotten that Sylvia was raped in those episodes. This may make me sound terrible but I have always loved those. Not because of the violence in them, but that was when she fell in love with Albert, wasn't it? Man... I had such a huge crush on him!

But you all are right. LHOTP did deal with some very serious issues; probably groundbreaking for the decade. But all in all it was a great show. I remember that episode with Caroline's leg very well.

It is nice having them all on DVD. I was renting them from Netflix and I swear I watched so many I made myself sick! The one thing that makes me mad about the DVD sets is that the first two seasons aren't closed-captioned. And those are my favorites! Especially the first season!

Andrea

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by rich p

Thanks sweetie. I am so enjoying this series. It really is nice to have ALL the eps of LHOP now, so I can really discuss the show (at least, sometime in the future - hopefully 3-4 mo's from now)

I'm glad you are enjoying them, Rich. I personally know the baby Grace twins - Brenda and Wendi Turnbaugh. Brenda especially has become one of my very best friends. Even though they retired from show business right after LHOP, they are still very proud to be associated with such a beloved, family-oriented program.