Producing, directing, writing, and starring in a popular TV show with a grueling production schedule took its toll on Landon, said co-star Karen Grassle, via Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “Somehow Mike was able to play both his part as Pa and direct … [sometimes he appeared to] run on fumes,” she said. Unfortunately for Landon, at one point in Season 1 his frenetic schedule caught up to him, and he had to sit out an episode.
Specifically, Season 1 Episode 12 (titled “The Award”) doesn’t include Landon, as he was taking some much-needed time off while the episode was filmed, recovering from meningitis. That put Grassle (“Ma”) in the position of having to take on much of the heavy lifting for the episode, with the dialogue and plot being rewritten and “Ma” having a larger role. Further, Grassle had to memorize her new lines the night before filming was to begin. Meanwhile, the writers explained away Landon’s absence, saying that “Pa” had gone to nearby Mankato to do some work.
