Due to faltering ratings, NBC intended this season to be the last of the series. As a result, Michael Landon decided to conclude the story by having Walnut Grove collapse and die, economically and the Ingall's following Mary to Winoka to begin a new life. However, due to unexpectedly high ratings for these episodes, NBC had a change of heart and renewed the series for a fifth season and beyond.
Final appearance of Charlotte Stewart as Eva Beadle-Simms. Mary Ingalls was the only student that Miss Beadle got to say goodbye to
Linwood Boomer, who is best known in the acting world for his portrayal of Adam Kendall on "Little House On The Prairie" (1974), is also famous behind the camera for creating the hit show "Malcolm In The Middle" (2000).
The 4th season finale officially marks Melissa Sue Anderson's final full season as a regular cast member. She would later go on to appear periodically in Seasons 5, 6 and 7, and only a few episodes in Season 8.
In 1997, the TV Guide jointly ranked this episode and I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away: Part I (1978) number 97 on its "100 Greatest Episodes of All Time" list.