Heartwarming return to Walton's Mountain contains obvious ironies. There's the touching scene where John Boy is reunited with his family. As viewers it's a relief to see Richard Thomas back on the show for a two-part episode. The series lost much of its attraction after Thomas left. Also sad to see Grandpa Walton struggle with reality of aging, when Will Geer himself died not longer after this aired. These two episodes should have served as series finale. No point in continuing without Thomas, Geer and Michael Learned. Another problem is Waltons can't overcome reality New Deal failed. Continued Depression family endures remind us.
3 Reviews
No good deed goes unpunished
jaimhaas19 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Jon Boy is concerned about the economy of his home area and decides to get an old coal mine back in action. When a cave in occurs we are shown how good old fashioned pulling together brings the entire community into focus. I applaud this type of story. Reminds us that we never know when we will be called to help a neighbor in need.
The Return of Superboy
janet-conant18 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
When John Boy returns to the mountain it's a wonderful day however soon they realize the worst. John Boy has ideas of helping the Walton's Mountain residents during this economic slump by opening a closed mine and the owner, Cyrus, has agreed. John Boy has no plans to mine as he's only there to start the ball rolling but doesn't ask the right questions from the owner before they work an old mine. All John Boy knows is that Virginia coal is going to bring back prosperity. They are all given jobs but John Sr is in charge although none have any experience. John and his 3 sons as well as Verdie's husband, many others and Ike all agree to work. Old Lloyd Nolan just frets and obsesses over his incompetence when the mine caves in and he can't function.
The actual cave-in makes for high drama and we watch as each worker gets buried. After John Boy discovers the collapse he himself is in shock feeling he's responsible. He is and should have stayed in NY. Even Olivia gives him the evil eye and the lovely Cora Beth says why did you come home? His family is under all that dirt but leave John Walton to wake up and dig out his sons. They dig for Jason and Ben finds his hand under the dirt. After being buried alive Jason, Jon Walmsley, should have been dead. I can hear the director now 'Jon they're gonna find you dead in that hole as we have to lose at least one. We're killing you off.' Why? 'Because you can't act.'
Anyway the buried men are all able to get dug out but still trapped and losing oxygen fast. This episode is contrived right from the start and how they all survived is very perplexing.
The subplot is Erin secretly working for a man in Rockfish and a big secret. Why was it so bad that she babysits children and makes a little money. She is told to stay home and babysit that's her punishment.
This is Thomas's first return to the show after a whole season because I'm sure they offered him a sizable sum to boost ratings. Later in the series Waite got laid off cuz they couldn't afford him.
John Boy thinks he can just show up and all will be right with the world. Glad he had to take his medicine for a change.
The actual cave-in makes for high drama and we watch as each worker gets buried. After John Boy discovers the collapse he himself is in shock feeling he's responsible. He is and should have stayed in NY. Even Olivia gives him the evil eye and the lovely Cora Beth says why did you come home? His family is under all that dirt but leave John Walton to wake up and dig out his sons. They dig for Jason and Ben finds his hand under the dirt. After being buried alive Jason, Jon Walmsley, should have been dead. I can hear the director now 'Jon they're gonna find you dead in that hole as we have to lose at least one. We're killing you off.' Why? 'Because you can't act.'
Anyway the buried men are all able to get dug out but still trapped and losing oxygen fast. This episode is contrived right from the start and how they all survived is very perplexing.
The subplot is Erin secretly working for a man in Rockfish and a big secret. Why was it so bad that she babysits children and makes a little money. She is told to stay home and babysit that's her punishment.
This is Thomas's first return to the show after a whole season because I'm sure they offered him a sizable sum to boost ratings. Later in the series Waite got laid off cuz they couldn't afford him.
John Boy thinks he can just show up and all will be right with the world. Glad he had to take his medicine for a change.
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