Waltons 1.21: The Scholar

Airdate: 2/22/73

Verdie Grant, an African-American woman in her 40s, overhears John Boy give a reading/writing lesson to Elizabeth, and, being illiterate herself, asks him for lessons also. She makes him promise not to tell anyone, but Elizabeth overhears one of their lessons and unknowingly spills the secret to her teacher, Miss Hunter. Long distrustful of others, Verdie finally recognizes John Boy’s honesty when he explains himself, and decides to continue their lessons, finally fulfilling her lifelong dream. Subplot: Erin gets her tonsils removed and, despite fully recovering, continues to act sick to get extra attention. (Oh those needy Walton girls!)

Beautiful episode initially dealing with courage and trust but ultimately confronting the racial barriers that were still around in 1930s America. Through John Boy we are able to see literacy as an ability too often taken for granted, even for those impoverished or affected by the Depression. Best scene: early on, John-Boy explains to Elizabeth how the mixing and matching of 26 simple letters to convey thoughts and emotions is “magic.’ (As a teacher, I love this approach!)