Diksha Sundriyal
Netflix’s ‘Little House on the Prairie‘ follows the ups and downs in the lives of the Ingalls family as they move to Independence, Kansas, in hopes of a fresh start. While it is a new adventure, it doesn’t make it any easier for them to leave behind their friends and family. Mary Ingalls, especially, struggles with the move because of all the people she has had to leave behind, whom she knows she will likely never get to see again. However, her new home also offers new friends and connections. One of them is particularly exciting, a boy named Caleb. The attraction is mutual, but despite their feelings for one another, they were never going to get a happy ending. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Mary and Caleb’s Attraction Turns Into a Deeper Bond
When the Ingalls family arrives in Independence, they visit Emily Henderson’s store, which was suggested by Dr. George Tann, who helped them along the way. Here, Mary crosses paths with a young boy named Caleb, on whom she develops a crush. However, because she doesn’t get to go to town too often, there is no way for her to talk to him and find out if he feels the same. She doesn’t have to wait long because he makes his feelings known with a package. In their first meeting, he notes that Mary had been fighting with her sister, Laura, about ribbons. She had picked out a blue ribbon, but didn’t get to buy it. So, he sends it to her as a gift, confirming for her that the attraction is mutual.
Because the possibility of meeting face-to-face is still pretty low, they start sending letters to each other. It becomes particularly convenient after Mr. Edwards joins their father and helps him build their house. Despite exchanging several letters, Caleb is shy and awkward when they come face-to-face again, which confuses Mary. Eventually, he gets the courage to talk to her more freely. Another bump in their burgeoning romance occurs when Caleb discovers that the James sisters have told Mary that he was abandoned by his mother on the trail. It is a sensitive topic for him, as it makes him feel that his parents never loved or wanted him. He is trying to process this feeling on his own, but having others talk about him behind his back, particularly Mary, breaks his heart.
The Ingalls Family’s Move Marks an End to Mary and Caleb’s Short-Lived Romance
Eventually, things get better between them. Caleb learns that he cannot fixate on the love he didn’t get and must focus on the love that he receives now. Mary apologizes to him, and they patch up. With the Ingalls making more visits to town, especially as they become a prominent part of the community, Mary and Caleb get to spend more time together. They help and stand up for one another, and eventually arrive at a point where they can talk to each other about anything. She is the first person Caleb tells about receiving a letter from his mother, who reached out to him in hopes of reconnecting. She advises him to do what he thinks is best, even if it means leaving her and Independence. Eventually, however, it is she who leaves him.
The plot on which the Ingalls built their house belonged to the Osage, but after they strike a deal with the government, the situation changes pretty fast. It turns out they now have to pay the government a higher price to claim the land, but they don’t have the money for it. After much consideration, they decide to pack up and move. Mary has done this before, which is why she knows that they will likely not be returning to Independence, and because Caleb’s life is here, it is unlikely that he will cross paths with her again. It is a heartbreaking situation for her because she really likes Caleb. However, there is also no other choice, because she has to cannot leave her family. On their last day in town, the Ingalls throw a party where all their friends show up to bid them goodbye.
Caleb is among them. As a parting gift, Mary gives him her ribbon with the hope that he will never forget her. He promises he won’t, and they share a kiss, both knowing that this is the last time they are seeing each other. Once the Ingalls leave, Mary has to look forward to the future, while Caleb has to continue with his life. The fate of their relationship reflects the events of the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, on which the TV show is based. The fans of the book series know that romance is never really in the cards for Mary, especially after a tragic event permanently changes her life. However, the show could change things up, and perhaps, she might receive a happy ending in the future, but it will not be with Caleb.
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