Come, Let Us Reason Together – Little House on the Prairie Episode Guide
Season 7, Episode 14
Original Air Date: January 12, 1981
Cultural traditions collide—and eventually find harmony—when Percival’s parents visit Walnut Grove and a debate unfolds over faith, family, and the future.
Episode Summary
In “Come, Let Us Reason Together,” Nellie Oleson and her husband Percival Dalton are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. The excitement turns complicated when Percival’s parents arrive from out of town, bringing with them their deep-rooted Jewish traditions and expectations.
The primary source of tension quickly becomes Percival’s father, Benjamin Cohen, who insists that the unborn child be raised in the Jewish faith. This leads to a heartfelt and sometimes heated disagreement between Percival, Benjamin, and Harriet Oleson—who predictably wants her grandchild raised Christian.
As both families grapple with cultural and religious differences, the episode tackles the challenges of interfaith marriages and generational expectations. Despite Harriet’s usual over-the-top reactions and Benjamin’s stubbornness, the two families must learn to listen to one another and find a compromise.
Eventually, reason prevails. They agree that if the child is a boy, he will be raised Jewish, and if it is a girl, she will be raised Christian. In a charming twist of fate that brings joy to everyone, Nellie gives birth to twins—one boy and one girl—allowing both families to celebrate their faiths and feel heard.
Themes & Notable Moments
Religious Tolerance and Compromise: This episode explores how families of different faiths can find common ground and mutual respect.
Interfaith Marriage: It highlights the often-unspoken complexities of raising children when two belief systems are involved.
Harriet Oleson’s Character Arc: Though often stubborn and judgmental, Harriet shows surprising willingness to compromise when it comes to her grandchildren.
Humor and Heart: The culture clash brings humorous moments but ultimately resolves in a heartfelt, unifying message.
Family Unity Across Differences: The conclusion affirms that love, communication, and compromise are what hold families together.
Why It’s Memorable
“Come, Let Us Reason Together” is one of Little House on the Prairie’s more unique episodes, focusing on interfaith relationships—a rare topic for family TV in the early 1980s. Its thoughtful approach to cultural differences, delivered through a blend of drama and warmth, makes it both insightful and uplifting. The surprise ending—with twins—offers a feel-good resolution that celebrates both traditions and the power of understanding.
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