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Jack1000 · 09-08-2008, 05:43 AM

I love this episode!

It is among the series best! Richard Basehardt was absolutely chilling as Mr. Applewood, the sadistic school teacher hired by the schoolboard to replace Ms. Beadle, due to discipline problems in her classroom. Realizing that all Mr. Applewood cared about was harsh discipline and his abuse of Laura even though it was Willie and the older kids returning from the harvest who caused the trouble, Ms. Beadle is eventually reinstated. But there is one continuity flaw.

It's the scene after Charles visits Ms. Beadle at her home. He tells her that Mr. Applewood resigned and that everyone wants her back. She wants to come back more than anything, but still doubts whether she can show discipline. Charles than comes home at night and tells the girls, "I'll take you to school a little early tomorrow, and we'll have a little talk with the children."

Than we see the same sequence in the beginning with the older boy Herman repeatedly dropping the book. and he encourages Ms. Beadle that it won't happen again, restoring her confidence.

But does that ending seem a little bizarre? I mean how would Charles have the authority to go to the school and talk the children into doing this to restore her confidence, or even if he didn't go, to tell Mary and Laura to talk to the children (or even just Herman) to drop the book again? It than assumes that Ms. Beadle's reaction would be concern and than the apology from Herman, "It's alright teacher, it won't happen again."

This is a landmark episode, but is the ending tied up into a little too nice of a package? I wonder if they were pressed for time and actually filmed a discussion with the kids that got cut post production? Than we would know what was said, and the continuity would flow better. What do you think?

Jack

OH Nuts! · 09-08-2008, 06:29 AM

While I'm not sure if I agree with you about the ending, it is certainly a reasonable interpretation.

What did I get from this ep and the ending?

Well, first that either extreme is usually not good. For example, Miss Beadle's shortcomings as a disciplinarian vs. the overbearing and tyrannical attempts by Mr. Applegate.

That there are two sides to every story and when someone is pointed out as behaving out of character by an authority figure, more investigation is warranted. Since the Ingalls are respected members of the community, and since in the prior 40 eps each member of the Ingall's clan has demonstrated courage and leadership, using any of the Ingalls clan was, to me, a solid example of trait and plot continuity.

The success of any enterprise requires cooperation and teamwork. While Miss Beadle clearly had weaknesses, her strengths (sensitivity, kindness, thoughtfulness) IMO outweighed them. By exhorting the class to cooperate, her fine (and necessry) qualities are allowed to surface.

09-08-2008, 05:43 AM	#1
Jack1000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 05, 2001 Posts: 2,055	Post All Questions/Comments About "Troublemaker" Episode Here! I love this episode! It is among the series best! Richard Basehardt was absolutely chilling as Mr. Applewood, the sadistic school teacher hired by the schoolboard to replace Ms. Beadle, due to discipline problems in her classroom. Realizing that all Mr. Applewood cared about was harsh discipline and his abuse of Laura even though it was Willie and the older kids returning from the harvest who caused the trouble, Ms. Beadle is eventually reinstated. But there is one continuity flaw. It's the scene after Charles visits Ms. Beadle at her home. He tells her that Mr. Applewood resigned and that everyone wants her back. She wants to come back more than anything, but still doubts whether she can show discipline. Charles than comes home at night and tells the girls, "I'll take you to school a little early tomorrow, and we'll have a little talk with the children." Than we see the same sequence in the beginning with the older boy Herman repeatedly dropping the book. and he encourages Ms. Beadle that it won't happen again, restoring her confidence. But does that ending seem a little bizarre? I mean how would Charles have the authority to go to the school and talk the children into doing this to restore her confidence, or even if he didn't go, to tell Mary and Laura to talk to the children (or even just Herman) to drop the book again? It than assumes that Ms. Beadle's reaction would be concern and than the apology from Herman, "It's alright teacher, it won't happen again." This is a landmark episode, but is the ending tied up into a little too nice of a package? I wonder if they were pressed for time and actually filmed a discussion with the kids that got cut post production? Than we would know what was said, and the continuity would flow better. What do you think? Jack

09-08-2008, 06:29 AM	#2
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	While I'm not sure if I agree with you about the ending, it is certainly a reasonable interpretation. What did I get from this ep and the ending? Well, first that either extreme is usually not good. For example, Miss Beadle's shortcomings as a disciplinarian vs. the overbearing and tyrannical attempts by Mr. Applegate. That there are two sides to every story and when someone is pointed out as behaving out of character by an authority figure, more investigation is warranted. Since the Ingalls are respected members of the community, and since in the prior 40 eps each member of the Ingall's clan has demonstrated courage and leadership, using any of the Ingalls clan was, to me, a solid example of trait and plot continuity. The success of any enterprise requires cooperation and teamwork. While Miss Beadle clearly had weaknesses, her strengths (sensitivity, kindness, thoughtfulness) IMO outweighed them. By exhorting the class to cooperate, her fine (and necessry) qualities are allowed to surface.
	Last edited by OH Nuts!; 09-08-2008 at 06:44 AM.