This 1976-77 third season of the long-running pioneer family series (featuring a slightly altered opening theme song) continues the heartwarming small-town escapades of the Ingalls family. The season premiere, “The Collection,” stars Johnny Cash as an unscrupulous ex-con—with June Carter Cash as his wife—who learns charity from the syrupy citizens of Walnut Grove; while a young Todd Bridges turns up as a black runaway who stays with the Ingalls family for schooling (bit of a stretch) in “The Wisdom of Solomon.” Watching this season, I began to realize a harsh truth: Laura (Melissa Gilbert) is kind of a jerk. Ritzy town mean girl Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim) is always presented as the classic brat, but much of the time, Laura is the provocateur, such as in “Bunny,” with Laura shoving Nellie down a hill, and “The Music Box,” in which Laura steals a toy from Nellie, breaks it, and then lies about it. The third season combines silly episodes with more serious two-parters, such as Michael Landon's patriarch Charles dealing with his side of the family in “Journey in the Spring,” and a family trauma after a daughter is injured in “To Live with Fear.” The season finale “Gold Country” finds the Ingalls wondering if they should move to shinier pastures (hint: with six more seasons to go—not likely). Looking sharp in this re-mastered deluxe edition, bonus features include the third part of a series of featurettes on the Little House phenomenon. Recommended for those collecting the series, this is a strong optional purchase elsewhere. (J. Williams-Wood)
Little House on the Prairie: Season Three
Lionsgate, 5 discs, 1,080 min., not rated, DVD: $21.98, Blu-ray: $24.99 February 23, 2015
Little House on the Prairie: Season Three
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