Netflix's New Show Is a Heartwarming & Leisurely Western We Didn't Know We Needed

In an era of instant content and endless information, Netflix has released a show offering viewers something different: a leisurely, warm, and cozy journey into the past.

The new adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, Little House on the Prairie, tells the story of a family of immigrants on the 19th-century American frontier. Rebecca Sonnenshine's project is a rare example of a successful remake that pays homage to the cult 1970s series while offering a fresh take on a familiar story.

What Is 'Little House on the Prairie' About?

The Ingalls family leaves the wilderness of Wisconsin and heads west to the young town of Independence, Kansas. Charles, the patriarch, is filled with hope for a better future by the numerous flyers about free land.

However, his wife, Caroline, doesn't share his optimism and leaves their homeland with a heavy heart. Their daughters, the eldest Mary and the youngest Laura, are sad too, but they are excited for a new chapter in their lives.

The family arrives in town, builds a house, establishes new social connections, and faces numerous trials, from a dangerous river crossing to severe fevers and financial difficulties.

'Little House on the Prairie' Is So Down-To-Earth That It Verges on Being a Work of the Piece-Of-Life Genre

Little House on the Prairie is a slow-paced series that invites viewers to immerse themselves in the poetry of everyday life – the show observes how an ordinary family learns to survive in a new environment.

The directors capture the characters' smallest steps, and these details make the show cozy and engaging.

Family drama is also present and the sisterly bond runs through the plot. Mary and Laura clash over their different temperaments, exchange barbs, and find support in each other's arms.

Similar to Louisa May Alcott's iconic book Little Women, the adaptation of Little House on the Prairie shows that the March sisters and the Ingalls family make do with little for the holidays. However, they learn an important lesson: nothing is more important than the people close to you.

'Little House on the Prairie' Offers a New Perspective on Frontier History

One of the main differences between the new Little House and the classic 1974 series is its focus on the fate of Indigenous peoples. Like many other families, the Ingalls arrived in Indian Territory, specifically the Osage Nation.

The new project centers its narrative on the conflict between the new settlers and the indigenous people who must cede their homeland to outsiders.

At the same time, the writers don't categorize the characters as either absolute villains or victims. While the show focuses on the tragic fate of the Osage Nation, it also allows us to see the events through the eyes of Laura, an inquisitive girl who is trying to understand another culture and doesn't intend to cause conflict.

This perspective on the frontier makes the series more complex and modern without losing its cozy, family-friendly atmosphere.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Little House on the Prairie'?

• Little House on the Prairie has 80% from critics and 69% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.2/10.