The Home Front (First aired 20th September, 1979) (two hour episode)
When Olivia returns home to Waltons Mountain, after recuperating from TB in Arizona, she finds that everyone is anxious to fill her in on the changes in their lives. Ben introduces his new wife, Elizabeth tells her that Aimee is due to come home after being at boarding school, Erin tells how she employed Mary Ellen as the nurse at Pickett's Plant. The family's catching up around the dinner table is interrupted by Ep Bridges at the door, telling John that a young local boy has disappeared from the army and that he will be jailed if he doesn't return quickly. He asks John, as head of the draft board, to visit the family and try to urge him to come back voluntarily. The young man, Tommy, does eventually go back voluntarily, only to be killed overseas. His distraught father comes looking for the Walton family, intending to kill one of John's sons, holding John responsible for his own son's death, and a real Mountain grudge is on.
Elizabeth is thrilled to have Aimee back on the mountain, but is disappointed when she arrives, a well poised and polished young lady. Jim Bob begins to see the changed Aimee in a new light, and Aimee seems to like Jim Bob, writing in her diary that he has become a handsome and sexy young man. Naturally when Corabeth reads that, she is quite concerned, however, Ike is more concerned that she would read Aimee's private diary, however he does urge her to read on! Elizabeth feels neglected by Aimee as the romance between Aimee and Jim Bob seems to be underway and Aimee breaks plans she had made with Elizabeth, to go out with Jim Bob instead. Elizabeth is abandoned when the two plan to walk to church together and Jim Bob stops next to them and offers them both a lift, and then Elizabeth and Aimee plan to go to see Wuthering Heights together on Saturday, but Jim Bob asks Aimee for a date and she accepts, completely ignoring any plans with Elizabeth for the same day. When Jim Bob discovers that she has broken her plans with Elizabeth, he breaks the date he made with Aimee, telling her that she should have better manners and he was disappointed in her. Aimee seeks the comfort of her parents, who were afraid that she had turned into a snob.
The newly weds, Cindy and Ben, are also having problems with Cindy upset because she is having difficulties becoming pregnant and everybody continually asking her about it. She is very happy to find one morning though, that the sight of her eggs on the plate are making her feel sick, a sure sign, Olivia tells her, that she has become pregnant.
Erin has her own problems when she decides to apply for the vacant job as assistant manager to J.D. Pickett and he turns her down, believing that it is not a job for a woman. As she points out, she has been doing all of the work anyway, so why shouldn't she. Erin then retaliates by becoming a Southern woman of charm without a brain in her head, and J.D. finally gets the message.
Back to the Satterfield - Walton feud, Calvin Satterfield pulls up alongside Jason and Ben, warning them and telling Ben he is lucky his "woman" was with him! He later sees Jim Bob, collecting parts off an old car, and takes a shot at him. John calls the Sheriff and the two go up to talk about it, but then John decides that perhaps it is best for he and Satterfield to work it out between themselves, and so a standoff begins with both men facing each other with a rifle. Before anything further can happen, Olivia and her family arrive with the telegram, bringing the news that their own son, John Boy, is missing in action.
Written by Rod Peterson & Claire Whittaker; directed by Harry Harris.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), John Crawford (Sheriff Ep Bridges), Lewis Arquette (J.D. Pickett), Glenn Withrow (Tommy Satterfield), George Ralph Dicenzo (Calvin Satterfield), Eunice Christopher (Mrs Satterfield), Don Matheson (Sergeant Barnes), Todd Susman (Lapinsky), Rachel Longaker (Aimee Godsey), Jeanne Campise (Pearl).
NOTE: The usual ending narration and goodnights were omitted at the end of this episode.
The Kinfolk (First aired 27th September, 1979)
Olivia's cousin, Rose Burton, comes to stay with the Walton's, bringing with her two young grandchildren. Rose takes over Grandma's room whilst, we are told, Grandma is off visiting other cousins. Serena stays in Erin and Elizabeth's room and Jeffrey shares Jim Bob's. The pair quickly get into all sorts of mischief, with Jeffrey deliberately doing silly things such as mowing down Olivia's flowers, and Serena stealing all manner of things. Rose speaks to the children, telling them that they are on their last chance here and they should try to behave better, and John's solution is to give them plenty of chores so that they haven't got time to get into trouble.
The family gradually realise that the children have real problems. Erin discovers Serena has been stealing and welts are discovered on Jeffrey's back after he takes his shirt off to try to put out a fire that he caused. Rose finally admits to them that her son, the children's father, would hit Jeffrey when he became drunk, and she took them away before he could do any further harm to them. Naturally, being The Waltons, there was no question that either Rose or the children would be sent away, and the family moved in permanently.
Written by E.F.Wallengren; directed by Philip Leacock.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena).
The Diploma (First aired 4th October, 1979)
Mary Ellen awakes to find that Nurse Nora, the district nurse who looks after all the mountain people, has been called into service and she has asked Mary Ellen to take over her rounds for her, while waiting for a replacement to come. Meanwhile Olivia is very busy herself, filling in as a school teacher. John, however, is being queried by the army intelligence, who can find no record of him ever having graduated from high school. If John wants to continue doing business with the army, he needs to find his diploma to prove that he did graduate.
Although Mary Ellen has spent all her life in Waltons Mountain, the people she visits in her travels as the nurse, are very back woods people who are very suspicious of modern ways, and Mary Ellen's modern medecine. It takes a great deal of patience and understanding on Mary Ellen's part before her methods are finally accepted by the mountain folk.
Back at home, John continues to search everywhere for his high school diploma. He remembers going straight into the army after graduation, and a graduation photo with he and a fellow classmate in their uniforms is unearthed, dated April 6th, 1917. They think this must be wrong though, as it's too early for graduation to have taken place. For her part, Olivia discovers some old records kept by the Principal of the time, which lets them know that the Principal was supposed to complete the graduation details for John and his classmate, but it appears that this was never formally done. Olivia suggests that the best thing to do is to sit an equivalancy test, which John does, although he finds the studying difficult and is not at all confident that he has passed. When he walks into his home, however, there is a party celebrating his success.
Written by Kathleen Hite; directed by Gwen Arner.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Janette Lane Bradbury (Ronie Cotter), Les Lannom (Sweet Billy), Madelaine Taylor Holmes (Grandma Floyd), Leon Fricke (Leitenant Eller), Rick Slyter (Sam), Tamar Howard (Lady), Joseph Justice (Guard).
The Innocents (First aired 11th October, 1979)
Olivia and Cindy are angry when they discover that J.D. Pickett has many women working for him who have nowhere to leave their children, and the children are left unsupervised and to their own devices all day. She confronts J.D. Pickett to find out what he intends to do about them, but he says they're not his concern. Olivia decides to start a day care centre at home, but there are problems there too, when one of the children gets into the mill and turns on the saw, before John comes in and puts his foot down. Unfortunately she finds that there is simply nowhere in the town where she can set up her creche for the children.
When Erin rings Olivia to tell her that J.D. has set up a tavern for his workers relaxation, she is less than impressed, and heads down there to confront him about his decision to set up the tavern rather than a child care centre. Finally, Olivia, the children and their parents all head to the tavern and take over it, saying they will only leave or return to work when something is done to accommodate the children. J.D. realises that he has been beaten and gives in: the tavern can become a child care centre during the day.
Meanwhile Ike is preparing a special surprise anniversary dinner and evening for he and Corabeth, and has asked Rose to teach him how to dance. Corabeth reads the signals all wrong though, and suspects that Ike is having an affair with another woman. She becomes very jealous. When Ike arrives home from his last dancing lesson he finds Corabeth packing to leave him. He asks he to tell Aimee though, and when she finds Aimee, she is with Elizabeth preparing the anniversary dinner, and she is greeted with a chorus of "Happy Anniversary" and a candle lit dinner for two.
Written by Juliet Packer; directed by Gwen Arner.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Lewis Arquette (J.D. Pickett), Rachel Longaker (Aimee Godsey), Kerry Shear (Mrs Kass), Jennifer Moskow (Ana Mae Kass), Charles Parker (Mr Swanson), Kimberly Woodward (Bernice Swanson), Gordon Hodgins (Mr Miller), Tony LaTorre (Charlie), Jason Semeleng (Elwin), Danny Gellis (Rob).
NOTE 1: Rose mentions Mr Perkins, an old beau and a travelling salesman, who enjoyed dancing, to Ike as she is helping him to learn to dance. Mr Perkins will be introduced later in this season.
NOTE 2: Tony LaTorre went on to play Harvey Lacey Junior, the son of Mary Beth Lacey (Tyne Daly), in the eighties series of Cagney and Lacey.
The Starlet (First aired 18th October, 1979)
When a film company arrives at J.D. Pickett's Defense Plant to make a documentary about the war effort, they keep getting into Erin's way, and consequently she becomes very annoyed with them being there. The director promises that he will give her a part in the film, but it is just his way to keep her off his back. We find that the director confesses that her part will be left on the cutting room floor. Erin believing that she has a real opportunity to become a Hollywood actress, becomes quite starstruck and she makes secret plans to leave Waltons Mountain, and pursue an acting career. Fortunately she learns the real truth from the director's assistant before she makes a fool of herself and leaves for Hollywood.
As Jason is having dinner with the Baldwin ladies, they discuss with him the possibility of their doing something to help the war effort. Their suggestion is that they become plane spotters, but Jason suggests that the soldiers might prefer a home cooked meal, so they set up the time for the following Sunday. When the men find out that the people inviting them to dinner are little old ladies, no one goes, until Jason pulls rank and orders them to. They end up going and having a great time.
Written by D.C. & Richard Fontana; directed by Philip Leacock.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Helen Kleeb (Miss Mamie), Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Lewis Arquette (J.D. Pickett), Henry Darrow (Barry Stone), Les Lannom (Sweet Billy), Charles Hallahan (Phil Baker), David Cramer (G.I. Joe), Jerry Gatlin (Camera Operator).
The Journal (First aired 25th October, 1979)
Olivia is becoming increasingly frustrated that they have not had any word about John Boy, who is missing in action. She and John contact the Red Cross in the hope that they can help look for him, or at least find out some information about him. By the end of the episode we discover that John Boy had been an observer on a bombing mission and his plane was hit over Belguim. From there, they have been unable to locate him.
John and Olivia are approached by John Boy's publisher, who tells them that the publishing house has received a manuscript for John Boy's next book, but they need permission from his next of kin to publish it. Olivia becomes very upset, feeling that they are saying John Boy is definitely dead, and that is something she does not want to admit at this stage. After some deliberation John and Olivia decide they will sign to have the book published, however further discussion occurs when they fear that the book might be promoted as being written by a missing in action soldier and so they reverse their decision. Finally the publisher sends them a letter plus the manuscript, and after reading some of it, they decide that the world does indeed need to know about John Boy's experiences.
Jeffrey is also concerned about the health of Restless, the Walton dog. Although Ben assures him that Restless will be fine, he isn't and eventually dies. Ben then has to cope with Jeffrey's anger toward Ben at having been told that the dog will be OK. Ben realises that he has a lot to learn about parenting.
Written by Robert Pirosh; directed by Philip Leacock.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Rachel Longaker (Aimee Godsey), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Richard Venture (Paul Henshaw), Diana Douglas (Mrs. Denman), Lillah McCarthy (Miss Fisk).
The Lost Sheep (First aired 1st November, 1979)
Ashley Longworth Junior, Erin's beau, arrives unexpectedly at the Walton home very early one morning. He proposes to her and she immediately says yes. With Olivia and John wondering where Erin is, Elizabeth and Serena let it slip that she left with Ashley early in the morning, and her parents become angry and set out to find the pair. They are located at the Baldwin home, where they are told that the couple want to get married. Olivia invites Ashley to have supper with the family so they can get to know him better.
At the table John asks Ashley to say grace, leaving Ashley speechless and he leaves the table abruptly. He tells Erin that he no longer believes in God, nor does he want anything to do with the church any more. It comes out during the episode that with the things Ashley has seen and done during the war, he longer believes that there is a God, something which John actually understands, but he tells Ashley that God is not to blame for all that is going on. "God is Love", John tells him. Although his wedding to Erin is off for the moment, the possibility is there that it may be back on in the future.
Serena and Elizabeth are having their problems too. Elizabeth is sensitive to the fact that she is no longer a child and she wants Serena to give her some time alone, however Serena wants to tag along, because she thinks it's wonderful to have an older "sister" around. The two end up apologising to each other, and agreeing to do things together as well as giving each other some space.
Written by E.F.Wallengren; directed by Walter Alzman.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie
Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena),
Jonathon Frakes (Ashley Longworth Junior), Elise Caitlin (Erma Jean Small).
The Violated (First aired 8th November, 1979)
Once again, we see John and Olivia at the Red Cross Centre asking for news of John Boy. While they are there, Mrs Denman asks if Olivia will visit a young wife, whose soldier husband is concerned about her since she is not replying to his letters. Olivia agrees and takes Mary Ellen with her when they go to visit. They arrive at her home and finally discover that she has been raped. She refuses to tell the sheriff and feels that she was responsible for the attack. By coincidence, Olivia comes across the person who raped the young woman and he threatens her as well, but Olivia stands up to him.
With the aid of the Red Cross she is able to get the husband to come home to be with his wife, but when he learns what has happened, he wants revenge. John makes him realise that his wife needs him now though, so he backs off.
Corabeth discovers that she has been left an inheritance following the death of a relative. Unfortunately she feels that she has to play the part of someone with money now, and Ike is worried that she will squander her money. After some manipulating on Ike's part, Corabeth decides that she should invest her money in war bonds.
The episode ends with Mrs Denman arriving at the Walton home to deliver the news that John Boy has been found and, although seriously injured, is being flown home.
Written by Robert Pirosh; directed by Walter Alzman.
Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Michael and Marshall Read (John Curtis), Jordan Clarke (Son Slater), Antoinette Stella (Darcy Thatcher), Diana Douglas (Mrs. Denman), John Steadman (Joe Bascomb), Macon McCalman (Abe), Kelly Ward (Frank Thatcher).
NOTE: Once again there are none of the usual goodnights or concluding narration by John Boy as a man. This story line continues in the next episode "The Waiting".
The Waiting (First aired 22nd November, 1979)
Another Thanksgiving Day is approaching but the Walton family do not feel much like celebrating this year. John and Olivia have gone to see John Boy and have found him in a coma with serious head injuries, but the doctor and the couple feel that he may respond if they are there talking to him. Olivia continues to talk to him, reminding him of lots of different things which happened in his past, and also begins to read his book to him, hoping he will respond. Rose becomes angry at the apathy which the family at home seem to have and thinks they should find something to be thankful for.
While Olivia is there supporting John Boy, she is asked to consider, and agrees, to volunteering for the Red Cross. She moves in with Mrs Denman and helps at the hospital. While Olivia is looking after John Boy, she becomes friendly with Sam, his room mate who has lost his legs and is alone with no family. She urges Mrs Denman to visit him, but she resists, saying it is too hard, until Thanksgiving Day when she arrives to take Sam down to Thanksgiving Dinner. John and Olivia are preparing for their Thanksgiving meal around John Boy's bed, and as they are joining hands to say the blessing, John Boy moves to join in, signifying the beginning of his recovery.
Written by Kathleen Hite; directed by Philip Leacock.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), K. Callan (Nurse Corrigan), Morgan Stevens (Sam), Diana Douglas (Mrs Denman), Regis Cordic (Dr Banion), Robert Wightman (John Boy).
NOTE 1: This episode marked the last regular appearance of Michael Learned, although she did make guest appearances later.
NOTE 2: This episode introduced Robert Wightman in the role of John Boy Walton.
NOTE 3: Morgan Stevens, playing the hospital patient Sam, went on to become a regular over the last few episodes of Season 9, and the 1982 television movies, playing the part of Paul Northridge, Erin's future husband.
The Silver Wings (First aired 29th November, 1979)
Jim Bob begins his new job as a mail deliverer for Ike. He heads up the mountain to deliver a letter to Betsy Randolph, a young woman whose husband is a pilot. As Jim Bob knocks down her fence with his car, he offers to fix it and the mailbox, the following day. He offers to help her fix up the place and his father becomes concerned and warns him of spending time alone with a married woman. Jim Bob initially laughs the suggestion off, but the more time he spends with Betsy, the more in love Jim Bob falls. Betsy doesn't realise what's happening though, until Jim Bob gives her some perfume, which she tells him she can't accept. Naturally he is hurt, but the hurt decreases when she organises a friend to give Jim Bob a ride in an airplane as a surprise. When she receives a telegram saying that her husband has died, Betsy receives a visit from her close friend Jim Bob, who simply offers her some comfort.
In the meantime, Serena is trying to win a merit badge for a group she is involved in. However on her hike she becomes lost. When she is found by John, she insists on finishing the hike while John goes with her.
Written by Michael McGreevey; directed by Stan Latham.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Patsy Rahn (Betsy Randolph), Odell Burton (Buddy Russell), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis).
NOTE: The writer of this episode, Michael McGreevey, once appeared in The Waltons, playing the part of Hobie in the season one episode "The Braggart". He is the son of another of the writers for The Waltons, John McGreevey.
The Wager (First aired 13th December, 1979)
J.D. Pickett has decided to organise a War Bond Rally and while speaking with Ike, the pair decide on a race based on an idea from a story which Ike has been reading. The idea is that a race is held with one person riding a horse and the other partner running. As Ike puts it "ride awhile, run awhile." It will be called a Run and Ride race and will be named after Ike and Corabeth Godsey. Mary Ellen and Erin decide that they will enter the race, but they have to endure much teasing and ridicule from J.D. and other men who think that women would not be capable of such a lengthy race. A wager is decided upon and the pair go into training, with Elizabeth as their trainer. The prize money also attracts them. The wager? Erin bets J.D. that her team will not finish last and J.D. bets her a week's wages. Mary Ellen bets Sam their horse, and Elizabeth bets Jim Bob a book report.
Jeffrey is writing to a movie star, hoping to receive a photo of her. He is delighted to be sent an autographed one, but Serena tells him that the star wouldn't have signed it. He writes again and is dismayed to find that the signature is different on the second photo he receives. His faith in people is restored though when Jason, given the job of chauffering VIP's around to all the War Bond Rallies in the area, arrives with the very same actress, the special guest for the race. Jeffrey is given the opportunity to escort her at the event.
Although Mary Ellen and Erin didn't win the event, they did come second and were able to beat their two workmates who initially teased them about entering, and all three Walton women win their wagers.
Teleplay written by E.F.Wallengren; story by Claylene Jones; directed by Gwen Arner.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie
Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena),
Jonathon Banks (Jeb Sanders), Mitch Carter (Sam Barker), Lewis Arquette (J.D. Pickett),
Jerry Hoffman (Feed Store Clerk), Cathy Worthington (Jessica Marlowe).
The Spirit (First aired 20th December, 1979)
This is another well loved Walton's Christmas episode. Although Olivia is with John Boy at the hospital, the family continue on with their Christmas traditions.
There is a stranger on Waltons Mountain. Some of the townsfolk see smoke on the Mountain, the Waltons notice someone disappearing from their barn with some potatoes, Ike Godsey discovers his shop has been broken into but only apples are missing, and Miss Emily finally comes across the stranger and invites him into the warmth of her home and cooks him some breakfast.
It is Jeffrey, however, who really befriends the stranger. He is a little saddened when he hears Rose say that she will be disappointed when he gets to an age that he no longer believes in Santa. However, his newly found friend tells Jeffrey the story of St Nicholas and also the story of the first Christmas tree. When Paul, the friend, arrives on the Waltons doorstep with a small tree as a gift, John spots him, opens the door and invites the young man inside. Paul explains to them that he is an escaped Prisoner of War, but that he American and half German, having been brought up for some time in both countries. John remembers that his own son John Boy, was picked up by German people, and so invites the young P.O.W. into his home to celebrate Christmas.
A couple of rather funny incidents occur during this episode when John is asked to buy some extra Christmas presents during his visit to Charlottesville. Ben asks him to bring back a bottle of perfume called "Nights of Love" for Cindy, and Ike asks him to buy a nightgown for Corabeth. Both requests cause him much embarrassment!
Written by Kathleen Hite; directed by Herbert Hirschman.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie
Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena),
Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Ned Bellamy (Paul), Debbie Richmond (Lady), Gordon Hodgins
(First Man), Llynn Storer (Second Man).
The Fastidious Wife (First aired 27th December, 1979)
Ben is working particularly hard at the mill and Cindy is left to her own devices quite a lot of the time, in the lead up to their baby being born. The problem is that Cindy feels that she is losing Ben's interest...they are not as lighthearted as they were in the first days of their marriage, and Cindy is feeling the she is not very attractive to Ben as her pregnancy moves along. Cindy thinks that a book Corabeth recommends to her may be the answer. It is called The Fastidious Wife, and Cindy follows the suggestions to the letter, even cleaning up the mill after Ben has been there. The only problem is that she ends up collapsing with exhaustion, putting her health and that of their baby at risk, resulting in her needing to stay in bed for a week. Ben confides to his father that he has been afraid that he might hurt Cindy if he does the wrong thing, but his father tells him that from Cindy's point of view, it would simply seem that Ben doesn't love her anymore.
Jeffrey and Serena bring home a cat, whom he calls Harold, hoping that his Uncle John will allow him to keep it. Rose discovers though that Harold is really a "she" and is about to have kittens. John agrees that the cat can stay but the kittens must be given away. Some of the kittens are given away, but they can't find anyone to take the last one. John decides that perhaps it will be alright to keep just one kitten.
Written by Loraine Despress; directed by Gwen Arner.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Zack Lewis (Ned Philips), Denise Latella (Sue Ann), Fred Downs (Dr. Lewis).
The Unthinkable (First aired 3rd January, 1980)
One of Jason's fellow recruits is a Jewish Polish American and when Jason discovers that he has just had news that his Grandfather, living in Warsaw, has been killed, he invites Lupinsky to visit his home and family for the weekend. During the weekend Lupinsky breaks down and tells the Walton family that he had receive a letter telling him of slave labour camps which were in Germany, where many of the Jews were being taken and gassed to death. Naturally the whole family is appalled to hear this and John rings a senator to tell him the story and ask for some confirmation. The senator tells John that the stories are just fiction, but Lupinsky is not at all convinced. However the two decide that they will pack a picnic lunch for the rest of the family and take it up onto the mountain, near Grandpa's grave. During the picnic, Ted Lupinsky says a special prayer over Grandpa's graves for both Zeb Walton and his own Grandfather.
Elizabeth is having trouble at school. She has received all A's on her report, and has been teased by the other students. She finds this very upsetting. Most of the other girls in her class will be taking the traditional home economics classes, but Elizabeth's teacher is suggesting that she take chemistry. She really doesn't want to be different though. Ted tells her of his own school problems when he was teased for being the only Jewish boy at the school, and says that it stopped only after his grandfather walked home with him and admonished the boys. He asks her what Grandpa would have said to her, and she imitates his answer as she says that he would have told her that God gave her a good brain...use it!
Written by Dan Ullman; directed by Ralph Waite.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Todd Susman (Ted Lapinsky), Melvin E. Allen (Barnes), Erica Hunton (Lucille), Mary Ann Oedy (Flo).
NOTE: Erica Hunton, playing Lucille, was the same young actress who played Holly in The Foundling, during Season One.
The Idol (First aired 10th January, 1980)
Elizabeth meets Hazel, the new school teacher, as soon as she hops off the bus in front of Ike's store. The two find that they have much in common and quickly become firm friends, with Hazel sharing her many adventures with Elizabeth, and her love for teaching. The one thing that she does keep from Elizabeth, however, is that she has a brain tumour and little time left to live. After Mary Ellen discovers what is wrong with her she urges Hazel to tell Elizabeth, and when the time is right she does. Elizabeth is distraught. Jason tries to help Elizabeth to realise that she should treasure every moment that she has left with Hazel, rather than be afraid and angry that she will be going away. He shares with her, the feelings he had when his friend Seth died (Season Two). He points out that Hazel has shared many of her experiences with Elizabeth, leaving as her legacy to the younger girl her love of travel, art and teaching. John Walton also helps Elizabeth to realise that she should be enjoying Hazel's company while she can, rather than mourning her before she has died.
Hazel's teaching methods come into question during this episode too. She is a progressive teacher who thinks that children have a right to know correct facts, and when she hears Serena, Jeffrey and Lauren discussing where babies come from, she tells them they are wrong and sets out to teach them about childbirth. Corabeth is aghast at the proposal, but Hazel says that although she believes that the place to teach the facts of life is in the family home, many of the children simply get no information, or misinformation.
The childbirth explanation is brought about because Cindy is getting near the time of her delivery. Ben, however, is becoming quite scared about the prospect of fatherhood, and all the responsibilities which go along with it, and disappears to the Dew Drop Inn to drown his sorrows. Meanwhile, Cindy goes into labour and has to ask John to take her to the hospital where she has their daughter. Ben arrives at the hospital the next morning after sleeping in his truck, apologises profusely to Cindy and falls in love with their new baby daughter, Virginia.
Written by Juliet Packer; directed by Gwen Arner.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Helen Kleeb (Miss Mamie), Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Susan Krebs (Hazel), Pat Corley (Bartender), Kimberly Woodward (Lauren).
The Prodigals (First aired 17th January, 1980)
Rose and John become concerned with Jeffrey's mischief after Jeffrey leaves something out which is damaged when it is run over by someone's car. When he meets Josh, the two boys begin to tell each other their woes and begin to look out for a way to get some extra cash. At the Mercantile, the come upon some soldiers in the middle of a crap game. Verdie catches Jeffrey and Josh playing too, and sends them off with a lecture, but they return again just as soon as she is out of sight. This time they get caught by Ike, who confiscates the money they had won.
The two boys decide that they need to get their money back, so head off to Ike's to ask him, but they find the store closed, so they break in to take only the money they had won, but when they hear Ike and Corabeth returning, they quickly grab a bag of money and race out of the store, leaving Corabeth to run for Ike's tablets, thinking that the scare had caused Ike to have another heart attack. Verdie is at the Walton home looking for Josh, and Rose is insisting that he is in bed asleep.
However, Corabeth had been able to see that one of the boys was Josh and Josh is quickly picked up by the Sheriff. Ike agrees that he will drop the charges against Josh if he will return the money, however by this time Josh doesn't have the money. Jeffrey does and he has buried it...right where a huge pile of wood has been stacked. Jeffrey has a huge attack of guilty conscience and ends up running away from home. He is found by John and Rose and confesses all, explaining why the money can't be returned. His punishment? Move all the wood to Ike's, dig up the money and return it.
Ben is facing his own crisis too, when he comes across a soldier who makes a comment about Ben getting out of being drafted. Ben is thinking of enlisting too, but Cindy tells him that his responsibility is at home with her and Virginia. By the end of the episode, following a talk with John Boy (who advises against it) Ben does in fact enlist in the Seebees and is heading off to war.
Written by Robert Pirosh; directed by Stan Latham.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Lynn Hamilton (Verdie Foster), James Bond (Josh), Macon McCalman (Deputy Sheriff), Chris Malkey (the Roller), Robert Wightman (John Boy), Ron Thompson (G.I.), Christopher Metas (The Private).
The Remembrance (First aired 24th January, 1980)
A stranger wanders into the Walton's yard, and sits chatting with the younger Waltons for some time, before he tells them that he was looking for Zebulon Walton. Apparently the pair had planned a picnic many years ago and the stranger had arrived for it. The girls tell him that Zeb, their Grandfather, had died, and when John arrives home we discover the old man to be "Cousin Zadok" Walton.
He has brought a gift of apples, which he says tastes better than they look, and goes on to tell the family that he has many varieties growing on one tree where his farm is. Naturally the family don't know what to make of him, and someone comments that he has arrived there to die. As his visit extends, the family feel that he is losing his mind too. At one stage Mary Ellen accuses him of even poisoning John Curtis, when Zadok brews up a tea to make the slightly ill John Curtis feel better. She later discovers that the tea he had given him would have done no harm at all, and may have done him good.
Zadok disappears one day, and John tracks him down outside the Boatwright University. Zadok claims that they want to give him an honorary degree, but John just thinks it's an old man's ramblings. Imagine his surprise when a lawyer and two professors from Boatwright arrive with papers for Zadok to sign. They explain that Cousin Zadok is very innovative with his apple growing and that he has willed his land and secrets to the University after his death. They are very enthusiastic about the gift.
Jason has met a young lady, a Sergeant, in the army, a girl named Antoinette, or Toni, but every time he turns around, he does something to annoy her, and she snaps at him. He is trying to compose a piece and she promptly tells him that she thinks he is "decomposing" it instead. He finally gets fed up with her and tells her a few home truths, and then adds that he is crazy about her, before walking out.
On the mountain, the day of the picnic, Toni arrives at the door to apologise for being so snappy, and to return Jason's composition which he left when he made his hasty exit. She has some suggestions for improvements and the two play the tune through, then Jason adds the words he has been working on. The song is titled "Antoinette" and is all about this irritating girl he has just met.
All the visitors are invited to the picnic and Cousin Zadok gives his beloved violin to John, who then entrusts it to the musician of the family, Jason.
Written by Marion Hargrove; directed by Herbert Hirschman.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Woodrow Chambliss (Cousin Zadok), Lisa Harrison (Toni Hazelton), Ivor Francis (Dean Beck), Harry Busch (Arthur Harrington), Ross Elliott (Colonel Usselbury), John Furlong (Professor Bohannon), Llynn Storer (The Lounger), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis).
NOTE 1: Toni Hazelton makes her first appearance in this episode. She will become Jason's wife by the time the telemovies are made. In real life, Lisa Harrison and Jon Walmsley are married.
NOTE 2: We are told that Zadok is younger than Zeb, but that they grew up together.
NOTE 3: Cousin Zadok mentions that Zeb's mother was named Edzula (not sure of the spelling), and that Rome Walton was "John's Great Grand-Daddy".
The Inspiration (First aired 31st January, 1980)
Miss Mamie has just finished preparing a new batch of the recipe, when she discovers that Miss Emily has volunteered to host the school Spring Dance at their home. She is not too happy, and Miss Emily is upset that Miss Mamie has seemed out of sorts. Jason, as the official recipe tester, arrives and they decide that there is a problem with the recipe. It doesn't seem quite right and Miss Emily is concerned that her sister may have read the recipe wrongly. Miss Emily finally arrives to enlist John's help with her sister, hoping that he can find out what's wrong with her. When Miss Mamie has concerns for her eyesight, John takes her to the Doctor who says that she has cataracts and needs urgent surgery to stop complete blindness. The ladies, however, are concerned by the prospect of surgery, as their beloved Papa died during surgery, and they promised each other never to undergo surgery.
John believes that the ladies have made to wrong decision, and enlists Grandma's help, picking her up and taking her to help out at the Baldwin home. She finally ties a scarf around Miss Emily's eyes hoping to show her the life her sister will endure when she does become blind and it helps Miss Emily rethink their decision.
Elizabeth is interested in one of her classmates and hopes that Steve will invite her to the Spring Dance. She decides upon a plan of action, only to find that Steve neatly escapes while his friend Drew cycles off to ask another girl to the dance. Elizabeth is upset when she discovers that Steve has invited another girl to the dance, but Drew is waiting at home for her, to ask her, having been turned down by his first choice. The two decide to go together and end up having a great time. Their evening ends with a kiss after Drew walks Elizabeth home.
Written by E.F.Wallengren; directed by Ralph Waite.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Helen Kleeb (Miss Mamie), Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Philip Linton (Steve Prince), Tony Becker (Drew Cutler), Becky Perle (Norma), Arthur Hanson (Dr. Canfield).
NOTE 1: Ellen Corby makes a special return appearance in this episode.
NOTE 2: Tony Becker makes his first appearance as Drew, Elizabeth's boyfriend, in this episode. He continues this role during the remainder of the series, and the telemovies.
The Last Straw (First aired 7th February, 1980)
John is having a hard time at the mill, finding that he is overworked and very short of manpower. He has employed Easy Jackson, but as his name implies, he takes it easy quite often! There are all sorts of things going wrong which are adding to his stress, and finally Jim Bob has his arm broken when Easy accidentally knocks a pile of lumber over with the truck...but straight on top of Jim Bob, resulting in a broken arm. The last straw is when an old saw John uses to try to finish an order burns out, he decides that he is better off throwing it all in and quitting.
To celebrate his newly found freedom, he heads up to Ike's and persuades him to close the store for some time of drinking and pool playing. The two get very drunk and are found by an irate Corabeth. They then head off to the Dew Drop Inn, where Jason finds them and walks them home. John comes to his senses after falling into Drucilla's Pond and tells his family that he has been acting like a child and the next day he begins to clean up the mill and replaces his equipment, with the help of his family and friends, including the reformed Easy.
Jeffrey decides to make a soapbox racer as a school project and Ike arranges a Soapbox Derby Race just for Jeffrey, with him as the sole racer. Guess who wins the trophy?
Written by William Parker; directed by Harry Harris.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Michael and Marshall Redd (John Curtis), Britt Leach (Easy Jackson), Ted Gehring (Joe Murdock), Lewis Arquette (J.D. Pickett), Bob Hastings (Carl), Victor Izay (Dr. Vance).
The Travelling Man (First aired 14th February, 1980)
Rose is at the Godsey's store, when in walks a travelling salesman, Stanley Perkins, who was once her dancing partner in Baltimore. The pair renew their acquaintance with each one confessing that there was a place in each of the hearts for the other. They remembered each other fondly, and as the episode continues, their fondness for each other grows, until finally, Stanley asks Rose to marry him. He finds a house on Waltons Mountain that he is thinking of buying, and after discussing it with Serena and Jeffrey, the three of them accept his proposal.
However, Corabeth lets it slips to Rose, that Stanley has had an offer to work in California, that he hasn't told Rose about, and she remembers that it was his dream to work there, and so she nicely tells him that she has changed her mind and thinks that he should take the position.
Jeffrey and Jim Bob are having their own problems sharing a room. Jeffrey's dog is eating some of Jim Bob's clothes, and Jim Bob is less than impressed. He asks his father if he can move out, but John reminds him that he was once the youngest in the room. Jim Bob then decides to make his room in the hayloft, which he sets up, but someone moves the ladder! Jeffrey later shows Jim Bob the dog kennel that he has made for his dog, and by the end of the episode, Jim Bob is back in his room with Jeffrey.
Written by Kathleen Hite; directed by Herbert Hirschman.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Michael and Marshall Redd (John Curtis), William Schallert (Stanley Perkins).
NOTE 1: William Schallert returns to the role of Stanley Perkins in Season 9.
NOTE 2: William Schallert is a well known actor with a huge body of work including the role as Patty Duke's father in The Patty Duke Show.
NOTE 3: We discover in this episode, that Jim Bob is 17.
The Furlough (First aired 21st February, 1980)
John Boy is heading home, having recovered physically but he is still having trouble remembering things. After waking from a nap on the bus his seat mate comments that he must have a woman waiting for him because he called Katie Ann while he was sleeping. At home the girls are making his room up, trying to make him as comfortable as they can. When the Baldwins hear of his homecoming, they immediately decide to hold a small party where John Boy can sign copies of his book.
A letter to John Boy tells him of an upcoming visit from the sister of the young co-pilot who was with John Boy when the plane crashed. John Boy does not remember what happened to him though, although now that he is home he does begin to have flashbacks, each time remembering a little more. A song jolts a memory and finally Jim Bob shows him a model of an airplane, with John Boy suggesting that he call it Katie Ann, as that was the name of the airplane he was in that crashed. Seeing the model brought back all the pieces and John Boy is finally able to explain to his family, how the accident happened and the aftermath.
Ike Godsey has received a notice from the US Government telling him that he has been drafted and needs to report for duty. He does go to let them know that a mistake has obviously been made, but he is simply told to fill out forms and present for the physical. He doesn't and an F.B.I. agent comes to find out why, and arrests him. Fortunately John comes to the rescue telling them that Ike is too old to be drafted and the officer discovered that a clerical error had been made. Ike's birthday is September 24, 1901, but the records show him as being born on September 1, 1924, the mistake causing the army to think he is 20!
Written by Juliet Packer; directed by Harry Harris.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Helen Kleeb (Miss Mamie), Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Robert Wightman (John Boy), Diane Stilwell (Nan Bennett), John Furey (Stewart Bennett), Stephen Keep (Bragdon), Michael Thoma (Mr. Truby), David Cramer (Soldier), Philip Baker Hall (Major Gordon), John Philip Dayton (Corporal).
NOTE: Ike tells the drafting officer that his full name is Isaac Aloysius Godsey.
The Medal (First aired 28th February, 1980)
An episode of romance for both Mary Ellen and Corabeth. A young man hops off the bus only to be confronted by some hostile, abusive young men. A fight breaks out, which Mary Ellen witnesses, and one of the men has his arm broken during the fight. It ends up that the young man was someone who Curt saved, and he is bringing Mary Ellen a letter from the President telling her that he has been awarded a Silver Cross medal.
The Sheriff arrives at the Waltons to find out more about this young man, Eddie Ramirez, because the man whose arm was broken is pressing charges. Ramirez tells his story simply and Mary Ellen backs his version of events. As the Sheriff tells him to stay in the area for a while, Mary Ellen invites him to stay at the house, and the couple end up falling in love. There are further problems with Ramirez and the young men when he attends the Dew Drop Inn with Jason and Ben. They begin harrassing him for being Mexican, even though he tells them of the things he has done, and the awards he has won. He mentions that there is a bigger war on and that he would rather they all fight together for the same cause, and the men agree.
Corabeth runs into an old beau who wants to begin a relationship with her. She is very tempted and does go to his hotel for dinner, but all the time she thinks of Ike, so she heads home to the store and ends up calling Ike "Ike", something she rarely does.
Written by Rod Peterson; directed by Walter Alzman.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Enrique Castillo (Eddie Ramirez), John Crawford (Ep Bridges), Jordan Chainey (Captain Roger Westerby), James Crittenden (Smitty), Corbin Bernsen (Casey), Peter Stader (Bilge), Bill Morey (Mr. Smith), William Phipps (Bus Driver).
NOTE: In a departure from the norm, at the end of this episode the goodbyes are said by Ike and Corabeth, at their store.
Corabeth: Goodnight Mr Godsey.
Ike: Goodnight Corabeth.
The Valediction
(First aired 13th March, 1980)
The classes at the Waltons Mountain School are coming to a close, and Jim Bob is preparing for his last few days there before he graduates. He is chosen as valedictorian for the class of 1944, and then he and his classmates help Corabeth, who has been teaching them, to organise the graduation ceremony. Corabeth fears the worst though, when graduation day rolls around and there is not a member of the graduating class in sight. They do all turn up at the ceremony though, presenting Corabeth with some flowers, and telling her she is the best teacher they've had.
Erin hears some bad news when she receives a letter from Ashley Longworth Junior. She discovers that he has been married in London and she is heartbroken. She blames the war for separating them. Erin tells John Boy that she will devote herself to her career.
At the graduation ceremony, Jim Bob makes his speech telling family and friends that he and his classmates wanted to make a difference to the world. In view of this all the young graduately men went to enlist in the army and the girls went along to offer their support.
The next morning sees each of the Walton boys, who had gathered back on the mountain to celebrate Jim Bob's graduation, head off to war, with the Waltom women all standing there watching them as they walk off down the road, no doubt wondering when, indeed if ever, they will see their loved ones again. It is the woman's job to sit at home and just wait.
Written by Claire Whittaker; directed by Harry Harris.
Guests: Joe Conley (Ike Godsey), Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth), Leslie Winston (Cindy), Peggy Rea (Rose Burton), Keith Mitchell (Jeffrey), Martha Nix (Serena), Helen Kleeb (Miss Mamie), Mary Jackson (Miss Emily), Michael and Marshall Reed (John Curtis), Robert Wightman (John Boy), Tony Becker (Drew), Gary Imhoff (Roland Piper), Eric Stolz (Senior Boy 1), Susan McClung (Senior Girl 1), Richard Lasting (Senior Boy 2), Marte Post (Senior Girl 2), Ellen Corby (Grandma).
A Decade of The Waltons (First aired 22nd May, 1980) (Two hour episode)
This two hour special ended the eighth season of The Waltons and I imagine, aired 10 years after the making of The Homecoming, the pilot for The Waltons. The story line is that all the family is preparing for Grandma's birthday and her present is to be a photograph album. This allows us to look back on important moments throughout the series, such as Mary Ellen's wedding, John Boy's departure from the series, Grandpa's death, Grandma's coming home after her stroke and the Walton house fire.
Earl Hamner wrote this episode and appears throughout it to tell us about his family, his own mountain in Schyler and about the show itself. At the end of the episode we are introduced to the Hamner family, on whom the show was based, and the actors get to meet their counterparts.
It is an excellent episode and a "must have" for Waltons fans everywhere.
Directed by Harry Harris and Philip Leacock.
Guests in Flashback Sequences: Tom Bower (Curt Willard), Tammi Bula (Marcia Woolery), Barry Cahill, Nora Marlowe (Flossie Brimmer), Michael Reed (John Curtis), John Ritter (Reverend Fordwick).
Special Appearances by Earl's Brothers and Sisters: Doris Hamner, Bill Hamner, Clifton Hamner, James Hamner, Paul Hamner, Audrey, Marion Hawkes, Nancy Jameson and Earl Hamner.
NOTE 1: The flashback sequences shown in this special are from:
NOTE 2: There are also some old newsreel clips showing scenes of the Depression and the Dust Bowl.
|
|
