In the 1990s, when the original "Little House on the Prairie" first aired on Vietnamese television, the Ingalls family's story of overcoming adversity with love and resilience resonated deeply with viewers. This year, Netflix announced a remake, prompting concerns that the new adaptation might lose the values that made the original a cherished memory for generations.

After the first eight episodes, the series demonstrates that the production team is not trying to replace the classic but instead adopts a modern approach with a richer social perspective, while keeping family at its core. The show opens with the narration of eight-year-old Laura (Alice Halsey) as she recounts her family's journey to find new land. Accompanying her are her father Charles (Luke Bracey), mother Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald), older sister Mary (Skywalker Hughes), and their loyal dog, all traveling in a covered wagon. From the outset, the series captures audience interest with a scene of the Ingalls family crossing a river, a segment that foreshadows their arduous migration.

Some impressive scenes from the old television version, such as father Charles hunting rabbits on the prairie and being chased by a pack of wild wolves, are absent from the new adaptation. Instead, this is replaced by a scene where Laura confronts a pack of wolves, rendered with somewhat artificial CGI. Despite this, the spirit of the original books and the classic series remains intact, as the screenwriters focus on developing each character's personality and their family relationships.

Laura, the series' central character portrayed by Alice Halsey, captivates audiences as effectively as Melissa Gilbert did in the previous version. The character appears as a girl who is both dreamy and at times thoughtless. In her relationship with her older sister Mary (Skywalker Hughes), Laura consistently wants to be the center of attention and receive more affection from her parents and others. However, she also recognizes her selfishness and learns to feel remorse.

The main character Laura, played by Alice Halsey. Photo: Netflix

Similarly, the father character, played by Luke Bracey, embodies the steadfastness and deep affection of a patriarch, much like Michael Landon once charmed audiences. This character carries the haunting memory of his brother's suicide and a father for whom he felt he hadn't fulfilled his filial duties. These internal struggles lead him to constantly blame himself and serve as reasons for him to move his wife and children away from their homeland.

The mother, portrayed by Crosby Fitzgerald, emerges as a strong figure. She was once a teacher but had to leave her profession after marrying and having children. As she followed her husband to the new land, she carried the torment of separation from her relatives and anxiety about an uncertain future. In her private life and within the new town's community, she holds firm opinions and even dares to speak out against racists, especially concerning Native Americans.

Compared to the original, the portrayal of Native Americans is more nuanced, appearing throughout all eight episodes instead of just playing minor roles in the initial ones. Land conflicts are dramatically depicted, yet the treatment remains gentler and more optimistic than the harsher realities often reflected in American history.

A sense of "softening" permeates the entire series. The vast fields are always bathed in sunlight, the new town is peaceful, and even the Christmas night when the house is surrounded by snow appears picturesque. Most of the original's hardships are present but are recounted with a gentler pace and fewer sharp edges. The losses, poverty, and harsh struggle for survival faced by Western pioneers are toned down.

Nevertheless, what has allowed "Little House on the Prairie" to stand the test of time has never been the prairies or the small log cabin in the snow. Instead, it is the belief that family is always where people find the strength to keep going, as the line goes: "Family is everything". The world may have changed, but that value retains its profound significance.

Those familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder's books or the old television series know that Independence, Kansas, is merely the opening chapter of a much longer adventure. Similarly, the adaptation will return for a second season on Netflix next year.

The Ingalls family's appearance in the remake. Photo: Netflix

"Little House on the Prairie" is a semi-autobiographical novel by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first eight books were published between 1930 and 1940. The final book was released in 1971, after the author's passing. The work is based on her childhood memories in the American Midwest during the late 19th century. To date, the books have sold over 73 million copies and have been translated into more than 27 languages.

The story was adapted into a popular television series on NBC from 1974 to 1983, featuring many television stars of the era such as Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, and Melissa Gilbert, and continues to attract viewers today. The series has been re-aired numerous times on American television channels and in many countries worldwide. In Vietnam, the work holds a nostalgic place in the childhoods of many generations of viewers.

Le Hong Lam