Cast List
John Walton: Ralph Waite
Olivia Walton: Michael Learned (through “The Waiting”)
Mary Ellen Walton Willard: Judy Norton-Taylor
John Curtis Willard: Michael and Marshall Reed
Jason Walton: Jon Walmsley
Ben Walton: Eric Scott
Cindy Walton: Leslie Winston
Erin Walton: Mary Beth McDonough
Jim-Bob Walton: David W. Harper
Elizabeth Walton: Kami Cotler
Rose Burton: Peggy Rea (from “The Kinfolk”)
Jeffrey Burton: Keith Mitchell (now Keith Coogan) (from “The Kinfolk”)
Serena Burton: Martha Nix (from “The Kinfolk”)

Production Staff
Executive Producers: Lee Rich and Earl Hamner
Producer: Rod Peterson
Associate Producer: Claylene Jones
Story Editor: Claire Whitaker
Executive Story Consultant: Earl Hamner
Executive Production Supervisor: Edward O. Denault
Unit Production Manager: Walter Alzmann
Music: Alexander Courage
Theme Song by Jerry Goldsmith
Created by Earl Hamner

“The Home Front” (2 hours)
Original airdate: 09/20/1979
Screenplay: Rod Peterson and Claire Whitaker
Director: Harry Harris
Olivia is joyfully welcomed home from the sanatorium in Alberene, but the celebration is interrupted by bad news: John, the head of the local draft board, must go after an AWOL mountain boy named Tommy Satterfield. At Camp Rockfish, Corporal Jason Walton must contend with thickheaded recruits, including awkward Ted Lapinski. John finds Tommy at his parents’ cabin; the boy says he has a premonition that if he gets on the troop ship, he’ll never return. John persuades Tommy to do his duty, but his father growls that if Tommy is hurt or hilled, it will be on John’s head. Cindy and Olivia become better acquainted over weeding the garden, while Ben feels guilty for not being in uniform. Aimee Godsey suddenly returns from finishing school sophisticated and flirty. J.D. is searching for a male assistant manager, but Mary Ellen insists that Erin can handle the job. Jason finds Ted loves music as well and the two reminisce about home. When John must go up to the Satterfields to tell them Tommy died aboard the troop ship, the already guilty man is bombarded by their grief. Cindy is aggravated when people keep teasing her about having a baby. When Erin demands the assistant manager position, J.D. says it’s a man’s job and refuses. By reading Aimee’s diary while she and Elizabeth are on a picnic with Jim-Bob, Corabeth discovers that Aimee likes him. Elizabeth is dismayed when all Aimee wants to talk about is boyfriends and dating military school students, and is more interested in teasing Jim-Bob. His brothers help Jason practice his drilling. Calvin Satterfield finally threatens John with “an eye for an eye”—he says he’ll kill one of the Walton boys in revenge. Cindy and Olivia are both upset by the threat, but John refuses to call the sheriff. Corabeth sniffs when Olivia implies that Aimee is pursing Jim-Bob. John tells a discouraged Jason that he must be “tough to be kind” to his men; later, he and Ben are threatened while going back to camp. Tired of J.D. fussing over “the flower of womanhood,” Erin dresses in ante-bellum clothing and acts empty headed, so Pickett gives in with exasperation. Calvin shots a hole in Jim-Bob’s windshield while the boy is collecting scrap metal from a junked car, but he gets away safely. John takes Sheriff Bridges up to the Satterfield home only to find Calvin digging Tommy’s grave and reminiscing over his son. He tells the sheriff he made no threat against the Waltons, but Ep tells Calvin if anything happens to one of the boys, even if it’s not his doing, he will come after him. Jason’s firmness in drilling pays off: his troops are off probation and Jason is promoted to sergeant. Ike isn’t pleased at Aimee’s new sophistication and wants his little girl back, but Corabeth soothes him. Meanwhile, Jim-Bob breaks his date with Aimee, saying she only things she’s grown-up and if she really was an adult, she wouldn’t have hurt Elizabeth’s feeling. In tears, Aimee apologizes to Elizabeth. An angry John pulls out his rifle and returns to the Satterfields to talk with Calvin, missing the telegram Ike brings by. John tries to make Calvin understand, but the men are about to have a shootout when Olivia arrives with the news that John-Boy, who accompanied a bombing mission over Europe to write about the men, is missing in action. Calvin now has his revenge—but it doesn’t assuage his loss. Jason’s squadron is chosen to fire a salute at Tommy’s funeral. The only ray of light comes from Cindy, who has morning sickness.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Aimee Godsey: Rachel Longaker. Sheriff Ep Bridges: John Crawford. J.D. Pickett: Lewis Arquette. Ted Lapinsky: Todd Susman. Calvin Satterfield: George Ralph DiCenzo. Tommy Satterfield: Glenn Withrow. Mrs. Satterfield: Eunice Christopher. Sergeant Barnes: Don Matheson. Pearl: Jeanne Campise.

“The Kinfolk”
Original airdate: 09/27/1979
Screenplay: E.F. Wallengren
Director: Philip Leacock
Olivia’s aunt Rose visits with her two young grandchildren, Jeffrey and Serena, while Ike and Jim-Bob wrestle to build a huge air-raid siren. Olivia is grateful to Rose for nursing her through influenza. The children are a puzzle: they constantly brag about their father in the Navy, but they seem starved for affection and Jeffrey constantly talks back and won’t tolerate John giving him orders. The boy adopts a chicken and later stows away when Jim-Bob meets Ike at the site of the siren. Taken home, he and Serena steal Cindy’s car keys and drive the car into the garden. This happens just as Rose is asking Olivia if they might stay for a while, and she later scolds the children for ruining their chances. If the Waltons won’t take them in, they’ll have nowhere to go. John gives them chores as punishment. Jeffrey then cons Elizabeth into not telling on him when she catches him smoking, and Serena swipes Cindy’s favorite brooch while apologizing to her about the car. Later, Jason finds Jeffrey having a terrifying nightmare, and afterwards the boy can’t bear Jason or Jim-Bob near him. Olivia becomes worried about the nightmares and Serena’s daydreaming as well. Curious and bored, Jeffrey sets off the siren, throwing the community into panic. When Serena teases Jeffrey about being assigned lawn mowing as a punishment, he deliberately mows down Olivia’s flowers and runs off. Now that the structure is finished, Ike finds out the siren wasn’t supposed to come to Waltons Mountain at all and he must return it. Erin discovers Serena with stolen perfume just as Jeffrey’s smoking starts a fire in the mill. He takes off his shirt to beat it out; after the fire is out, everyone notices the terrible, healing welts on his back. Rose finally confesses that her son did it in one of his drunken rages; this is why she wants shelter at the Walton home. They are immediately allowed to stay.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards.

“The Diploma”
Original airdate: 10/04/1979
Screenplay: Kathleen Hite
Director: Gwen Arner
When Nurse Nora is called into the Army, she leaves Mary Ellen her horse and mule and asks her to tend her county nurse duties. Mary Ellen gladly accepts while Olivia takes a job substitute teaching. Mary Ellen finds it hard to get the mountain folk to trust her as they did Nora, except for “Sweet Billy,” an amiable lad whose sister Ronie won’t allow Mary Ellen to examine two orphans with rickets. John, meanwhile, has been told by a supercilious G-2 officer that there is no record of him having a high-school diploma; thus he lied on his security clearance and is banned from Camp Rockfish. He frantically searches for the document until a photo of him in World War I uniform with his class and Olivia’s research makes him realize that his school never graduated him. When Ronie refuses to allow Sam and Lady to be treated or be given cod liver oil, Mary Ellen threatens to take them away. Ronie says she wouldn’t trust an old maid nurse like Nora to treat children, and Mary Ellen asks that why, if she cares, she doesn’t teach Sweet Billy to read, Ronie retorts that she knows he can’t learn and doesn’t want to shame him. John, frustrated, studies for a high-school equivalency exam while the children giggle at him and suffers taking the exam at school with the older children. Mary Ellen’s secret weapon becomes John Curtis, who softens Ronie’s heart; she reveals most of her family died in a smallpox epidemic that a doctor couldn’t cure. She lets Sam and Lady take the medicine and Sweet Billy accept a reader and the new friends have a picnic together. When dour Grandma Floyd gives her wildflowers, Mary Ellen knows she’s accepted. The family celebrates when John passes his test with flying colors.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Grandma Floyd: Madeleine Taylor Holmes. Sweet Billy Cotter: Les Lannom. Lt. James Eller: Leon Fricke. Ronie Cotter: Janette Lane Bradbury. Lady Beasley: Tamar Howard. Guard: Joseph Justice. Sam Beasley: Rick Slyter.

“The Innocents”
Original airdate: 10/11/1979
Screenplay: Juliet Packer
Director: Gwen Arner
After nearly running over two children, Olivia discovers there are many children left unattended while their mothers work at Pickett’s factory. J.D. couldn’t care less, so Olivia and Cindy found a day nursery. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Aimee, wanting Ike and Corabeth to have a romantic anniversary, talk Rose into teaching Ike to dance. The former “Queen of the Blue Moon” finds Ike a reluctant student, but not particularly difficult, and Aimee and Elizabeth get free lessons as well. Olivia’s charges include blanket-toting Anna Mae; sober eight-year-old Charlie, who’d rather baby-sit his baby sister Barbara; and Elwin, who nearly hurts himself on the mill saw and makes John fearful of accidents, so Olivia is forced to give it up at home. Corabeth is upset when she finds Rose’s handkerchief in Ike’s pocket; when John lets Ike and Rose know, Ike decides not to tell her and spoil the surprise. J.D., who formerly claimed all his rooms were needed for storage, infuriates Olivia when he sets up a tavern for the men at the plant; she’s hurt when she must turn Anna Mae away. Corabeth nearly spoils the girls’ preparations for the romantic dinner by trying to leave her “cheating” husband, but Ike manages to spring the surprise on her and sweep her off her feet. Olivia rounds up the children and they all invade the tavern; J.D. is defeated when not only the mothers but the men agree that the children need a place to go, so he allows her to use the tavern as a nursery during the day shift.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Aimee Godsey: Rachel Longaker. J.D. Pickett: Lewis Arquette. Mrs. Kass: Kerry Shear. Charlie: Tony LaTorre. Mr. Miller: Gordon Hodgins. Mr. Swanson: Charles Parks. Elwin: Jason Semeleng. Rob: Danny Gellis. Bernice: Kimberly Woodward. Anna Mae: Jennifer Moskow.

“The Starlet”
Original airdate: 10/18/1979
Screenplay: D.C. and Richard Fontana
Director: Philip Leacock
Erin’s routine is disturbed by a movie company making a film about women working in defense plants, but J.D. is delighted, always pushing to be on camera. To get Erin to stop complaining, director Barry Stone takes her to dinner, and butters her up by telling her she’s a natural actress and he wants to feature her in a movie—and it works. J.D., wearing a bad toupee, is jealous when Barry allows Erin to become the star of the film, although the director plans to discard the footage later. His assistant Bill Baker is concerned about Erin and warns her, but Erin is star struck and tells the family she wants to move to California, find work in a defense plant there, and make a try at being an actress. The Baldwin sisters are also doing their part by having four soldiers at a time at their home for dinner and an Enrico Caruso musicale. Erin gets several offers from California factories, upsetting J.D., but exciting a restless Mary Ellen, who decides she will accompany Erin when she finds out the California plants offer child care. Their decision is tempered with sorrow when Mary Ellen finds out how much the mountain folk care about her and J.D. pleads with Erin not to leave. When Erin phones Barry, she talks instead to Bill, who tells her Barry has ordered all her scenes cut out. She and Erin decide to stay and their farewell party turns into a celebration. The Baldwins’ party, because Jason orders four reluctant soldiers to attend, is also a success.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Miss Mamie Baldwin: Helen Kleeb. Miss Emily Baldwin: Mary Jackson. J.D. Pickett: Lewis Arquette. Barry Stone: Henry Darrow. Bill Baker: Charles Hallahan. G.I. Joe: David Cramer. Sweet Billy: Les Lannom. Camera Operator: Jerry Gatlin.

“The Journal”
Original airdate: 10/25/1979
Screenplay: Robert Pirosh
Director: Philip Leacock
The children are already perturbed when John and Olivia go to the Red Cross to see if there is any news of John-Boy, and then Reckless gets sick. A Red Cross worker gives the Walton parents little hope and the pair despondently return home. Father-to-be Ben is unsettled when Ike tells them he’s been rebuked for not doing his fatherly duty. Paul Henshaw, from John-Boy’s publishing house, wants John and Olivia to give permission to have his G.I. Journal published, but Olivia says it implies he is dead and will not sign. Jeffrey is furious at Ben when he finds out elderly Reckless is dying, but Ben told him the dog was better not to upset him. Olivia is at her wits’ end with no word of her son’s fate and even starts a quarrel with John, but is finally placated enough to give Hastings House the go-ahead to publish the book—until Henshaw reveals they plan to use John-Boy’s status as missing in action as a publicity ploy, then both John and Olivia refuse. To keep Reckless from being euthanized, Jeffrey smuggles her into the woods and is heartened when she chases after a rabbit. But when she doesn’t return, the family hunts for her, only to find the old dog dead in a clearing; Jeffrey blames himself until Ben tells him he made the dog’s last moments happy. Then a call comes in from the Red Cross and Mrs. Denman is able to tell John and Olivia that the plane John-Boy was in crashed near Belgium, and confesses to them that her son has already died in the war, so she understands what they’re going through. At home, they open the manuscript for G.I. Journal. A passage about the determination of the soldiers and the reality of war convinces John and Olivia to have it published.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Aimee Godsey: Rachel Longaker. Paul Henshaw: Richard Venture. Mrs. Denman: Diana Douglas. Miss Fisk: Lillah McCarthy.

“The Lost Sheep”
Original airdate: 11/01/1979
Screenplay: E.F. Wallengren
Director: Harry Harris
Ashley Longworth Jr appears at 3 a.m. to present Erin with an engagement ring. She talks him into waiting until Saturday instead of eloping. When John and Olivia find them together at the Baldwins, they are upset over the couple’s seeming need to rush the ceremony. But there are problems: at dinner that night Ashley refuses to say the blessing and says angrily that there is no God, and he refuses to have a church wedding and will not tell Erin why. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is angered when a lonesome Serena keeps following her around. Eventually Elizabeth must tell her that while sometimes she loves the company, she needs some privacy. Olivia warns a brooding Erin that if she marries a man who is not religious, they will quarrel over the religious training of the children, and tells Ashley that if he’s changed his mind about God, who’s to tell if he will do the same about Erin. When Erin asks him if they ought to wait, Ashley explodes and breaks the engagement, and later Ben and Jason catch him at the Dew Drop Inn with a floozy named Erma Jean. Erin is so furious over the news that she storms over to the Baldwins and flings the engagement ring in Erma Jean’s face, sobering Ashley. Corabeth snoops at Ashley’s home, finding him hung over and the house a mess; to drive her away, he pretends he’s infatuated with her. When Erin and John check to see that he’s okay, Ashley reveals that ever since he had to strangle a man in combat, he no longer cares about himself or God. John says he must give back more than he’s taken and that he cannot blame God for what happened. He and Erin make up and decide to wait to see if their love is strong enough.
Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Ashley Longworth Jr: Jonathan Frakes. Erma Jean Small: Elise Caitlin.

“The Violated”
Original airdate: 11/08/1979
Screenplay: Robert Pirosh
Director: Walter Alzmann
Mrs. Denman at the Red Cross ask John and Olivia to look in on Darcy Thatcher, a neighbor who hasn’t written to her soldier husband Frank for two months. To contact her, Olivia goes on rounds with Mary Ellen, but Darcy is hostile and fearful. They finally discover the panicked girl’s secret: a “kindly” neighbor man named Son Slater raped her and she’s got no one to turn to. Back on the mountain, Corabeth thinks she will inherit the fortune of her late Uncle Lucas and begins putting on airs and test-driving new cars. At old Joe Bascomb’s, a young man named Son Slater gives Mary Ellen and Olivia a gift of peaches of the same kind as those off a tree that Darcy’s rapist planted for her. Darcy denies it, but Olivia insists she tell the sheriff even after the girl cries that she feels dirty and sinful. The sheriff asks Olivia how she knows Darcy didn’t "encourage" him and Olivia spittingly tells him off, and is then threatened by Son. John angrily goes to confront Son Slater while Olivia goes picks up Frank, who has been granted hardship leave. At home, Ike lets Corabeth have her way with the bequest—$3000—and soon she is bored and goes back to working in the store. Son tells John that Darcy was “lonely” and that “a red-blooded man” would understand before John throws him in a mud puddle and tells him to never come near the mountain again. Olivia explains to Frank what happened, and, after being stopped from going after Son, Frank is reunited with Darcy and tells her he loves her. Then Mrs. Denman arrives at the house: John-Boy has been found alive, but badly injured.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Mrs. Denman: Diana Douglas. Darcy Thatcher: Antoinette Stella. Son Slater: Jordan Clarke. Joe Bascomb: John Steadman. Frank Thatcher: Kelly Ward. Abe: Macon McCalman.
Note
Rose and the children do not appear in this episode.

“The Waiting”
Original airdate: 11/22/1979
Screenplay: Kathleen Hite
Director: Philip Leacock
While Rose tries overly hard to be a replacement parent to the children, John and Olivia rush to John-Boy’s bedside; he is in shock and just stares at the ceiling, not communicating at all. They are disturbed when a lively nurse makes noise while bringing in another patient, but the soldier tells them Army nurses must be tough or they would go crazy from dealing with the wounds they see. John, however, still vents his frustration at the attending physician. The children are so miserable about John-Boy that they ignore Rose’s nervous plans for Thanksgiving. Olivia discovers that when she talks about the mountain, she sooths John-Boy’s paraplegic roommate, and has dinner with Mrs. Denman, who admits she can’t even face the boys in the hospital. She asks Olivia if she would like to share her apartment and become a paid Red Cross worker while she stays with John-Boy. Olivia accepts and Jason returns home from Army camp in time to join in the farewells. While reading John-Boy’s book to him, Olivia finally befriends the hard-nosed nurse and is determined to have Mrs. Denman meet John-Boy’s roommate Sam—and is rewarded when John-Boy calls out “Mama!” The doctor is skeptical, but Olivia’s faith is restored. Rose, who was miffed when the children refused Thanksgiving initially, is now startled when they all want to celebrate. John arrives to spend the holiday with Olivia, who is pleased when Mrs. Denman takes Sam out. At home the family enjoys dinner—and at the hospital, John-Boy slowly takes his parents’ hands when they say grace.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. John-Boy Walton: Robert Wightman. Mrs. Denman: Diana Douglas. Sam Stodder: Morgan Stevens. Nurse Corrigan: K Callan. Orderly: Llynn Storer. Dr. Banion: Regis Cordic. Desk Nurse: Lynda St. James.
Note
Robert Wightman takes over the role of John-Boy until the end of the series and through the three NBC follow-up films.

“The Silver Wings”
Original airdate: 11/29/1979
Screenplay: Michael McGreevey
Director: Stan Lathan
Jim-Bob makes a mail delivery to Betsy Randolph, who is living in a nearby cabin while her husband Matt is in the Air Force, and volunteers to help her with repairs to her home. Meanwhile, the family must suffer through Serena’s merit badges for the Blue Ridge Cadets (a kind of Girl Scout), including Corabeth’s idea of gourmet meals, fire making, and sewing. Betsy supports Jim-Bob’s dreams of flying and slowly he becomes infatuated with her. He refuses to take Elizabeth bowling, arousing her sisterly jealousy. Invited to Betsy’s for dinner, Jim-Bob buys her some French perfume, worrying John and arousing neighborhood gossip. Betsy is disturbed by his attentions as well, and won’t accept the perfume. She tries not to hurt him, but of course does, and he shamefacedly apologizes to Elizabeth. Jeffrey has done his best to discourage his sister, so she practices first aid on him by “bandaging” him to a chair. Betsy comes to apologize to Jim-Bob and says she wants to pay him back for his repairs and invites him on a picnic, but her big surprise for him is a ride in a biplane owned by her husband’s friend. When a telegram arrives announcing Matt’s death, Jim-Bob rushes to comfort her while the family searches for Serena, who took her 10-mile hike alone and is lost in the woods after dark. John finds her and finishes the hike with her. Betsy finally cries and when she leaves the mountain she gives Matt’s silver wings to Jim-Bob.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Betsy Randolph: Patsy Rahn. Buddy Russell: Odell Burton.

“The Wager”
Original airdate: 12/13/1979
Screenplay: E.F. Wallergren from a story by Claylene Jones
Director: Gwen Arner
To earn money for a War Bond rally, J.D. and Ike devise a Run’n’Ride race. Mary Ellen and Erin enter it with Nurse Nora’s horse, if only to get even with Jeb and Sam, two malingering, insulting employees from Pickett’s plant. Elizabeth is the reluctant draftee to be their training manager, so she sees it as a chance to get even and turns into a slave driver. Serena, meanwhile, keeps wet-blanketing Jeffrey’s joy in getting an autographed photo of his favorite movie star, Jessica Marlowe. At the same time that Erin bets J.D. a week’s salary that they can win, Mary Ellen bets her horse in a pact with a derisive Jeb. Even though Elizabeth’s training has hardened them, Erin is fearful because she’s never been good at boys’ stuff, but Mary Ellen insists she run the final leg. The imminent race cheers Jeffrey, who has received a second autographed photo of Jessica Marlow with a different signature on it. The girls hold their own against the other entries, and, as the miles grind on, Jeb and Sam, who have been swilling beer and lazing all week, panic slightly. Sam pretends to be hurt to stall Mary Ellen, so that he beats her across the finish line. But Erin beats Jeb to the finish line for a victory even sweeter: J.D. says Jeb’s “bad back” has held up so well that he’s assigning him back to the loading dock! Presenting the awards is a celebrity: Jessica Marlowe, who allows Jeffrey to escort her to the podium.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. J.D. Pickett: Lewis Arquette. Jeb Sanders: Jonathan Banks. Sam Barker: Mitch Carter. Jessica Marlowe: Cathy Worthington. Feed Store Clerk: Jerry Hoffman.
Note
Cindy does not appear in this episode.

“The Spirit”
Original airdate: 12/20/1979
Screenplay: Kathleen Hite
Director: Herbert Hirschmann
As Christmas draws near, people are concerned about a campfire on the mountain made by a badly dressed young man who steals potato sacks to wear and apples from the store to live on. It frightens Corabeth, who nevertheless plans an ostentatious Christmas pageant which is finally thwarted by the woman’s committee in favor of something simpler for wartime. Fleeing from the Dew Drop Inn after seeing MP’s, the young man is caught sleeping in Jason’s car and bolts. Afraid of “breaking Grandma’s heart,” Jeffrey finally confesses to Rose that he no longer believes in Santa Claus. He meets the young man on the mountain and confides his problem to him. The young man introduces himself as Paul and it looks as if he’s supplied himself with a sweater and some muffins from Miss Emily Baldwin. Suggesting that Jeffrey always keep a corner of his heart eight years old, Paul suggests Jeffrey might believe in St. Nicholas instead and also asks that he stay a “secret friend.” Jeffrey likes the idea and decides to write to St. Nicholas for a puppy he plans to name “Nick.” In return for whittling lessons and stories, Jeffrey invites Paul for Christmas dinner and then is furious when Jim-Bob appears and Paul flees. Jim-Bob recognizes one of Paul’s shirts as one he was missing, but John advises the family not to press Jeffrey. During the Christmas party, Paul shows up with a tiny tree for Jeffrey and the story behind the first Christmas tree, and finally confesses that he’s a German soldier who escaped from a nearby prisoner of war camp. After the initial shock, Paul is invited to stay and share in Jeffrey’s joy at his new puppy.
Miss Emily Baldwin: Mary Jackson. Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Paul: Ned Bellamy. Lady in Bar: Debbie Richmond. Man in Bar #1: Gordon Hodgins. Man in Bar #2: Llynn Storer.

“The Fastidious Wife”
Original airdate: 12/27/1979
Screenplay: Loraine Despres
Director: Gwen Arner
Ben is working overtime and paying attention to nothing else, so a neglected Cindy takes advice from Corabeth and starts to follow the book The Fastidious Wife, which tells her to primp and work to make the shed a castle for Ben, especially after he is jailed after defending a waitress at the Dew Drop Inn. Jeffrey’s pet cat unexpectedly has her litter and John insists they be given away as soon as they are weaned. Ben is puzzled, but pleased at the attention, but is soon worried when Cindy’s chores, duties, and beauty treatments leave her looking pale. Still following Corabeth’s advice, Cindy “takes an interest” in business by tidying up the mill desk, but Ben remains submerged in work. Mary Ellen warns her against overdoing it, but Cindy crossly tells her off and begins doing heavy chores, with the result that she nearly faints. Jeffrey and Serena give away all the kittens but one, but not to have to bring “Apollo” back home, the kids hide him in a nest with mama Harold. A guilty Ben finds Cindy suffering from exhaustion and having cramps; in the morning she is sure the baby is dead. When Harold brings her kitten home, John gives in and lets the cats live in the barn as mousers. Ben finally confesses to John, and later to Cindy, that his inattention to her stemmed from being afraid to touch her for fear that she’d break. In return, Cindy tells Ben about The Fastidious Wife. With the news that the baby is safe, the two make up and agree to talk to each other more in the future.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Dr. Lewis: Fred Downs. Ned: Zack Lewis. Sue Ann: Denise Latella.

“The Unthinkable”
Original airdate: 01/03/1980
Screenplay: Dan Ullman
Director: Ralph Waite
Jim-Bob is embarrassed by his good report card and Elizabeth dismayed because she got straight A’s; all the students, even her boyfriend Stevie, are calling her “Big Brain.” At Camp Rockfish, Jason’s problem child, Ted Lapinski, is up for a drill instructor’s job, but the master sergeant refuses to recommend him because he’s Jewish. Ted nearly charges the man after receiving a letter telling him his beloved Polish grandfather is dead. Jason instead takes him home, where he’s shanghaied into farm chores, fishing, and shopping. Even Elizabeth is cheered when Ted teaches them the horah, until he breaks down and tells them his grandfather died in an extermination camp. This information has not been released to the public much yet and the family can hardly believe even the Nazis would do such a thing. John, bolstered by assurances from their local senator, tells Ted there cannot possibly be such things. He and delicatessen-trained Ted whip up a Sunday picnic; Elizabeth, made fun of at church because she didn’t have a date for a dance, refuses to come until Ted says he was a teacher’s pet as well as the lone Jewish kid and was teased all the time—and asks her what Grandpa would have thought of her wanting to fail. The pastoral atmosphere of the mountain sooths them all, including Ted; he decides to volunteer for overseas duty so he can find his grandfather’s grave, and then says Kaddish for him at Grandpa’s grave. Elizabeth decides she will accept being smart.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Ted Lapinsky: Todd Sussman. Master Sergeant Barnes: Melvin F. Allen. Flo: Mary Ann Oedy. Lucille: Erica Hunton.
Note
Erica Hunton played Holly in the first episode of the series.

“The Idol”
Original airdate: 01/10/1980
Screenplay: Juliet Packer
Director: Gwen Arner
Elizabeth meets new school teacher Hazel Lamphere and soon idolizes the well-traveled, unconventional woman, who manages to gain the class’ respect while alienating Corabeth. Mary Ellen becomes suspicious when Hazel suffers a dizzy spell at Cindy’s shower; meanwhile at a party given for the soon-to-be father, Ben worries about the responsibilities of raising a child and Jeffrey wonders where babies come from. When Hazel hears the children swapping wild tales about birth, she proposes to tell them where babies really come from, not from a cabbage patch or the doctor’s bag, and a shocked Corabeth wants to have her dismissed. Elizabeth begs Hazel to stop, but the teacher insists on sticking to her principles, inviting Corabeth and the other parents to hear the talk. Bringing Hazel books on childbirth, Mary Ellen finds her passed out; Hazel confesses to her that she has a terminal brain tumor, but she wants to keep teaching as long as she can to give some meaning to her life. When Ben gets tipsy worrying over his new responsibilities, it’s John who must drive Cindy to the hospital. A contrite Ben rushes to the hospital to find himself the father of a little girl, named Virginia. Elizabeth, stunned by Hazel’s news, cannot rejoice about the baby until Jason reminds her of his friend Seth and that she and Hazel will always be friends, but Elizabeth refuses to see Hazel any longer. Next day, Hazel’s birth lecture is so simple and honest that all the parents are mollified, but her happiness is complete when Elizabeth shows up.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Miss Mamie Baldwin: Helen Kleeb. Miss Emily Baldwin: Mary Jackson. Hazel Lamphere: Susan Krebs. Bartender: Pat Corley. Lauren: Kimberly Woodward.

“The Prodigals”
Original airdate: 01/17/1980
Screenplay: Robert Pirosh
Director: Stan Lathan
Jeffrey’s mischievous antics at the mill aggravate John, and it doesn’t make it better when he breaks a brace and bit. To help pay for it, Josh and Jeffrey try shooting craps with soldiers, only to have Ike confiscate the pot. To get their share of the money back, Jeffrey and Josh sneak into the store while it's closed, but Ike and Corabeth return unexpectedly. They escape, but Corabeth sees Josh running. Caught by the sheriff, Josh refuses to implicate Jeffrey, or even admit he did anything, while Jeffrey, who has the money, buries it. He is afraid when he hears Josh might go to reform school if convicted, but Josh simply does chores to assuage his conscience and won’t allow Jeffrey to take the blame, even when he confesses to Ike and does chores at the store. Meanwhile, Ben insists he should be fighting, but, begged by Cindy for Ginny’s sake not to enlist, Ben goes to the hospital to ask John-Boy for advice; John-Boy advises him not to squander his talents. Terrified by a Bible verse Serena quotes and afraid that his family will have to leave the Walton home on his account, Jeffrey runs away. John and Rose guess why and search for him, while Verdie finds Jeffrey and he confesses to her. As punishment, Jeffrey must deliver and stack all the wood piled over the buried money, but Josh agrees to help him so they can get it over with and do chores for money to replace the brace and bit. Ben arrives home, announcing to Cindy’s dismay that he’s joined the Seabees, who need his construction expertise.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Verdie Foster: Lynn Hamilton. Josh Foster: James Bond III. John-Boy: Robert Wightman. Abe: Macon McColman. First GI: Ron Thompson. The Roller: Chris Mulkey. Private: Christopher Metas.

“The Remembrance”
Original airdate: 01/24/1980
Screenplay: Marion Hargrove
Director: Herbert Hirschman
Grandpa’s cousin Zadok visits with the family, arousing strong memories. Meanwhile, Jason is trying to befriend officious WAC sergeant Toni Hazelton. Old Zadok endears himself to the family, especially Elizabeth, who was closest to Grandpa. Corabeth, however, doesn’t appreciate his country humor, and John is upset when Zadok just wanders off to explore the Boatwright University campus. His absent mindedness and failing health lead both Ben and Mary Ellen to suspect that he’s come there to die, but the others find him refreshing. Worried about John Curtis’ stomachache, Zadok collects herbs to doctor him with, upsetting Mary Ellen, but curing the little boy. Finally tired of Toni’s rebuffs, Jason tells her off, asking why she is so chary of friendship, but adds that he’s crazy about her. Surprised, Toni tries playing the song he leaves on the piano. The family, after hearing some mysterious music on the mountain, finds out that Zadok is the source: he’s playing a farewell tribute to Grandpa. Toni comes to the house to return Jason’s sheet music and apologize; she’s just getting over a personal hurt. She helps Jason with the song, which she finds is named “Antoinette” after her! John finds out that Zadok’s seemingly wild stories about knowing college professors and lawyers aren’t stories: his farm has been willed to Boatwright as a training farm, “a remarkable example of untrained farming.” At a picnic at which Zadok thanks them all for hosting him, he leaves his fiddle, Rome Walton’s own, to Jason.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Zadok Walton: Woodrow Chambliss. Antoinette “Toni” Hazelton: Lisa Harrison. Dean Beck: Ivor Francis. Arthur Harrington: Harry Basch. Lounger: Llynn Storer. Colonel Usselbury: Ross Elliott. Bohannon: John Furlong.
Note
Rose and the children do not appear in this episode. Lisa Harrison is Jon Walmsley’s real-life wife.

“The Inspiration”
Original airdate: 01/31/1980
Screenplay: E.F. Wallengren
Director: Ralph Waite
Mamie Baldwin is unusually snappish and clumsy, even going so far as to make the Recipe incorrectly, so Emily asks John to talk to her. She reveals she is having trouble with her eyesight and fears she is going blind, but a doctor’s visit reveals cataracts that are operable. Both sisters are terrified of surgery since the Judge died on the operating table. Elizabeth maps out her own plans to get her boyfriend Stevie to take her to the dance, but her schemes keep backfiring. Mamie gets drunk on the Recipe rather than submit to surgery, revealing that the sisters made a pact to never do anything that would endanger the other. Plotting, John brings Grandma home from visiting the kinfolk—she is immediately jealous of Rose’s place in the household—to present to the Baldwin sisters as a “nurse.” Elizabeth, hurt to find out Steve has a date already, accepts an invitation from Drew Cutler even though she is his second choice, and to her surprise, and his, they have a great time together, while awkward Steve keeps treading on his date’s toes. When Grandma cannot convince Mamie there is hope, she blindfolds Emily to show her what it’s like to be blind. Emily understands immediately and tells her sister she would not be keeping her promise to her father if she allowed Mamie to go blind when there was hope. Mamie has successful surgery—and Drew asks Elizabeth on another date.
Miss Mamie Baldwin: Helen Kleeb. Miss Emily Baldwin: Mary Jackson. Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Drew Cutler: Tony Becker. Steve Prince: Philip Linton. Dr. Canfield: Arthur Hanson. Norma: Becky Perle. Grandma Walton: Ellen Corby.

“The Last Straw”
Original airdate: 02/07/1980
Screenplay: William Parker
Director: Harry Harris
The family becomes involved in Jeffrey’s plan to build a soap-box racer just as John is beset with late orders, lazy help, a malfunctioning truck, and badly loaded wood. When Easy Jackson backs the truck into the mill, breaking Jim-Bob’s arm and wrecking some machinery, John fires him and searches for equipment to borrow so he can finish his work. With none available, he uses the old mill saw until the motor burns out. Exasperate, he throws up his hands and announces that he’s quitting! Mary Ellen feels that he has his own form of battle fatigue. Jeffrey, having convinced Ike to arrange a local soap box competition, struggles to build a racer by himself. The family is concerned when John spends time fishing, hunting, and wallowing in old memories, and he gets Ike into hot water by coercing him into a pool game. Thrown out of the store, they get drunk at the Dew Drop Inn and duck themselves and Jason in the pond trying to impress him. John shamefacedly apologizes, admitting he doesn’t bounce back as well as he used to, but decides to go back to work. Jeffrey proudly presents his racer to Ike, who must tell him the war has cancelled the race. Easy returns to get his job back and J.D. gives John his first new order. A hastily-arranged time trial cheers Jeffrey and the community gangs together for a “mill raising.”
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. J.D. Pickett: Lewis Arquette. Joe Murdock: Ted Gehring. Easy Jackson: Britt Leach. Carl: Bob Hastings. Doctor: Victor Izay.

“The Traveling Man”
Original airdate: 02/14/1980
Screenplay: Kathleen Hite
Director: Herbert Hirschman
Jim-Bob is furious after Jeffrey’s puppy Nick chews on all his clothes just as Stanley Perkins, a salesman, and Rose’s old beau and dancing partner, arrives at the boarding house. Jeffrey is immediately jealous of him, especially when his grandmother starts mooning over old postcards sent from Stanley's travels. Jim-Bob craves a place for himself, but John insists he stay at home, so he fixes up a place in the barn loft. Stanley says he’s tired of traveling and is lonely for people and love, is planning to settle down—and then asks Rose to marry him. Pleased but shocked, Rose says she must ask the children, but optimistic Stanley chooses a deserted house to fix up for them. Just as this has been decided, he’s offered the selling territory he’s always dreamed of. Jeffrey and Serena seem to understand when Rose explains how much she loves Stanley, and Jim-Bob is reflective when Stanley talks about empty hotel rooms. Rose accepts the proposal at the dinner table and she and Stanley later dance while Jeffrey shows Jim-Bob the new doghouse he built for Nick and asks him to move back in. Instead, Jim-Bob invites Jeffrey to stay in the loft. Stanley refuses to tell Rose about the job offer when she shows him her special lace tablecloth she was saving for her own home, but Corabeth accidentally spills the beans. At home, Rose confronts him, but Stanley tries to persuade her that he no longer needs the job. But the reality of Stanley’s dream convinces Rose that she cannot stand in the way and they part with affection. Jim-Bob moves back into the bedroom—after Jeffrey hides the ladder to the loft!
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Stanley Perkins: William Schallert.
Note
Character actor William Schallert had a long and varied career that included movies, guest starring roles on popular series such as The Wild Wild West, a semi-regular role on Get Smart (as the superannuated Admiral Hargrove), and the role of the father on The Patty Duke Show.

“The Furlough”
Original airdate: 02/21/1980
Screenplay: Juliet Packer
Director: Harry Harris
While the Baldwins plan a welcome-home soiree, the children ready John-Boy’s old room for his homecoming, but the big news in the community is that Ike received a draft notice. When John-Boy arrives, he asks the family if they remember anyone named “Katy Anne,” a name he has cried out in his sleep. He tells John that everything is so familar and yet so different. When Nan Bennett, sister of the co-pilot of the plane he was on when it crashed, arrives at the house, John-Boy doesn’t know what to tell her because he has a blank spot in his memory about the event. He can tell her tales of their escapades in England, however. While Ike fills out forms to get out of the draft, he daydreams about being a spy, while Jeffrey worries about which branch of the armed services he’ll join when he’s old enough. At the soiree, John-Boy reads from GI Journal and when Jason plays “Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,” his recurring memory of floating in the water strikes him again. An FBI agent shows up when Ike doesn’t report for induction, but John comes to his rescue and the mistake, a clerical error, is cleared up. Jim-Bob’s Flying Fortress model awakens John-Boy’s memory of clinging to the wing of the “Katy Anne,” Stewart Bennett’s airplane, and watching his friend drown. At last he has his answer.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Miss Mamie Baldwin: Helen Kleeb. Miss Emily Baldwin: Mary Jackson. Nan Bennett: Diane Stillwell. Bragdon: Stephen Keep. Soldier: David Cramer. John-Boy: Robert Wightman. Stewart Bennett: John Furey. Mr. Truby: Michael Thomas. Major Gordon: Philip Baker Hall. Corporal: John Philip Dayton.

“The Medal”
Original airdate: 02/28/1980
Screenplay: Rod Peterson
Director: Walter Alzmann
Three bigoted sailors insult Mexican-American paratrooper Eddie Ramirez, who befriends the very person he was delivering a Silver Star to, Mary Ellen (it is the medal Curt won for his heroism). Corabeth also makes a new friend, or rather an old one, Roger Westerby, a man from Doe Hill who always had a crush on her. Picnics bring both Eddie and Mary Ellen as well as Corabeth and Roger closer together, but the older woman is consumed with guilt. The sailor Eddie tripped in self-defense presses charges, and when Mary Ellen makes a statement against him, the three sailors threaten her while the men in the family are away. But the Walton girls drive them off, and later Eddie sings the romantic “Maria Elena” for them. Ep tells the family about Eddie’s numerous awards when he comes to tell Eddie he’s been cleared of all charges and they’re impressed. Spurred by Roger’s insistence, her romantic streak, and Ike’s innocence, Corabeth meets Roger at a Charlottesville hotel for a farewell dinner, but leaves when he plans the meal to be in his room. Ike has found Roger’s note, but when Corabeth tells him how much she loves him, he never reveals it. At a celebration dinner at the Dew Drop Inn, the three sailors drunkenly again taunt Eddie, but with Mary Ellen’s help, he counts ten instead of fighting and sobers the sailors by telling them he wants to fight with them against a common enemy, not against them.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Sheriff Ep Bridges: John Crawford. Sergeant Eddie Ramirez: Enrique Castillo. Roger Westerby: Jordan Charney. Smitty: James Crittenden. Mr. Smith: Bill Morey. Casey: Corbin Berenson. Bilge: Peter Stader. Bus Driver: William Phipps.

“The Valediction”
Original airdate: 03/13/1980
Screenplay: Claire Whitaker
Director: Harry Harris
Jim-Bob’s disgust at having to graduate during wartime multiplies when he discovers the newest substitute teacher is an officious Corabeth, who plans an ostentatious graduation. Jim-Bob discovers that he will be class valedictorian if he passes the science test and infuriates Elizabeth and puzzles his proud family, including John-Boy, home on furlough, when he says he plans to flunk. Erin is crushed when she receives a letter from Ashley Longworth Jr saying that he has married someone else, but her sorrow is overlaid by the news of D-Day. It makes Drew wild to enlist and a fearful Elizabeth tells him off. President Roosevelt’s speech on the bravery of the troops and something Jason says about courage affect Jim-Bob’s conscience and he not only takes the science test and passes, but gets a perfect score. John-Boy helps Erin face her feelings about Ashley and she finally cries, while the senior class rejects Corabeth’s flowery plans under Jim-Bob’s leadership. The morning of graduation, the students vanish while Ben appears on an unexpected furlough, with a camera for Cindy to take pictures of home and family for him, since he’s being shipped overseas. Rose presents a returned Jim-Bob with special gold cufflinks, while Corabeth is mollified when the class gives her orchids. At the graduation ceremony, John turns up with Grandma to make it a special day for Jim-Bob, who announces that all the boys in the graduating class have enlisted in return appreciation for the community that gave them so much. Next morning Jason announces he has put in for a transfer overseas, Jim-Bob presents his car to Elizabeth, and the four brothers walk to the bus station together.
Ike Godsey: Joe Conley. Corabeth Godsey: Ronnie Claire Edwards. Grandma Walton: Ellen Corby. Drew Cutler: Tony Becker. John-Boy: Robert Wightman. Roland Piper: Gary Imhoff. Radio Announcer: Walker Edmiston. Senior Boy #1: Eric Stoltz. Senior Boy #2: Richard Lasting. Senior Girl #1: Susan McClung. Senior Girl #2: Marte Post.

“A Decade of The Waltons” (2 hours)
Original airdate: 05/22/1980
Within a framing sequence of preparations for Grandma’s birthday party, clips from the first eight years of the series are shown. The entire cast appears as well as Richard Thomas and Will Geer in flashbacks. Other guest stars and regulars include Tammi Bula, Helen Kleeb, Mary Jackson, Joe Conley, Ronnie Claire Edwards, Tom Bower, Mariclare Costello, John Ritter and Barry Cahill. Excerpted episodes are “The Foundling,” “The Hunt,” “The Typewriter,” “An Easter Story,” “The Heritage,” “The Air-Mail Man,” “The Matchmakers,” “The Honeymoon,” “The Burn-Out,” “The Wedding,” “The Sermon,” “The Fire Storm,” “The Achievement,” “The Long Night,” “The Grandchild,” “Grandma Comes Home,” “The Anniversary,” and “The Empty Nest.” At the end of the show, Earl Hamner introduces the younger members of the cast to his brothers and sisters who they were based on: Nancy (Elizabeth), James (Jim-Bob), Cliff (Jason), Marion (Mary Ellen), Bill and Paul (Ben), and Audrey (Erin).