John Boy is ambivalent about participating in his first turkey hunt, wavering between wanting to be a family provider and not wanting to take another creature’s life. When he sets his rifle sights on a turkey, he finds himself unable to pull the trigger, and embarrassingly walks back home. Ultimately he redeems himself when he shoots a bear that attacks his father, demonstrating heroism and courage in the face of danger.
Well-done effort dramatizing a fundamental moral dilemma. This also somewhat foreshadows Richard Thomas’ portrayal of Henry in the 1979 TV-movie The Red Badge of Courage, also about a man given a second chance for heroic redemption. This is the first episode (aside from “The Foundling”) to feature a subplot: Mary Ellen, trying to outgrow her tomboy britches, wants to win the affection of a boy who sees her as just a playmate. When she purchases a dress instead of a catcher’s mitt for this purpose, she regrets it and winds up getting the mitt after all.
Well-done effort dramatizing a fundamental moral dilemma. This also somewhat foreshadows Richard Thomas’ portrayal of Henry in the 1979 TV-movie The Red Badge of Courage, also about a man given a second chance for heroic redemption. This is the first episode (aside from “The Foundling”) to feature a subplot: Mary Ellen, trying to outgrow her tomboy britches, wants to win the affection of a boy who sees her as just a playmate. When she purchases a dress instead of a catcher’s mitt for this purpose, she regrets it and winds up getting the mitt after all.
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