May We Make Them Proud

what happens

Albert experiments with smoking in the basement of the School For the Blind and, when shooed out of the basement, hides the still-lit pipe in some cloths. It ignites and results in a late-night fire that kills Alice Garvey and Mary's baby son. As a result, several people struggle with the consequences: Albert becomes withdrawn when he learns his careless actions may have caused the fire, Mary in deep shock and Jonathan Garvey in an alcohol-induced state of denial. Albert, Mary and Jonathan - all deeply impacted by the fire at the school - continue to deal with their emotions. Charles helps Jonathan realize that his alcoholism has taken a toll on his son, Andy, while Mary snaps out of her shock when she hears the melody of the music box Albert had purchased for her as a gift. Albert panics when he finally understands his carelessness caused the fire that killed Mary's baby and best friend's mother. He runs away, leading Charles and a reformed Jonathan to frantically search for the lad.

who made it

directed

Michael Landon

written

Michael Landon

guest cast

Billed for this episode only — the turn people remember an episode for.

• Jonathan Gilbert as Willie Oleson
• Alison Arngrim as Nellie Oleson
• Kevin Hagen as Hiram Baker
• Hersha Parady as Alice Garvey
• Lucy Lee Flippin as Eliza Jane Wilder
• John Zaremba as Judge Adams
• Bill Calvert as Clay Mays
• Merlin Olsen as Jonathan Garvey