"I was standing out there with hundreds of other people. We were looking up at this thing like it was some kind of miracle from Heaven and it blew up and alot of people were killed".
Richard Thomas, as John Boy, gives a powerhouse (and sometimes heartbreaking) performance. John Boy sees a horrific disaster in real-time, while covering the landing of the Hindenburg. In the aftermath, we watch his struggle and anguish as a writer and a human being. Unfortunately, John Boy's personal and professional journey is interrupted by a side story about his immature sister Mary Ellen and her Doctor-Husband. Her Husband wants alone time with her, and not a revolving door for her many siblings, in their home/office. She fumes. Her Mom gives the newlyweds some silly advice about a potted plant being used as a do-not-disturb sign. Huh? Tell your daughter to grow up and tell your younger kids to respect their sister's marriage and home. If this was a standalone episode about John Boy, it would have been a 10.
4 Reviews
Interesting episode
ericka-167777 January 2021
An early exploration of PTSD
timmcd-8420216 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A fairly solid episode about John-Boy witnessing firsthand the Hindenburg disaster. Basically, "The Inferno" is an early exploration of PTSD, which manifests itself in John-Boy's inability to write about his experience. Richard Thomas' performance here is first rate, and the scene where the dam finally bursts and John-Boy tearfully relates the tragedy to his father is one of the high points of the series' run. Unfortunately, a valiant attempt to realistically combine footage of the actors with the actual newsreel of the Hindenburg explosion fails and is distracting, but doesn't ruin the episode. Also, a major historical blunder has John mentioning he was at the Battle of Verdun, a battle in which the Americans did not participate and which occurred a full year before the US entered the war. A silly secondary plot about the Walton kids cramping Curt and Mary Ellen's sex life is hardly worth mentioning.
We need this in 2022 ..Home is where the heart is.
jaimhaas10 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Jon Boy is sent to cover the historic landing of the Hindenburg. His excitement is suddenly replaced with absolute horror when he sees people dying in the flames of the destruction. When he returns home everyone is anxious to hear about the tragedy but they don't understand Jonboy is in shock. It takes time alone with papa for Jonboy to rediscover his humanity and be able to express what he saw. A story of spirit and triumph this is a great way to further your examination of this historic event. I know for me it was a journey into the facts surrounding the event. I truly wonder if this was an accident.
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