Pages

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Waltons 3.5: “The Romance”


Airdate: 10/10/74

Olivia signs up to take art classes at night in Charlottesville, to the delight of John-Boy, the lukewarm approval of her husband, and admonishing scorn of Grandma. Her instructor, a free-spirit by the name of Joshua Williams encourages her to unlock her passion, not simply for art but for life itself, urging her to give up her humdrum life as a housewife and consider going off with him to other world. As expected, he becomes attracted to her, but when he kisses her, she recoils and drops the class. He later visits her at home and clears up all tension between them; she resumes her lessons.

Meanwhile, Mary-Ellen, continuing her interest in medicine, is at loggerheads with her beau, Don Millman, who wants to be a doctor but thinks she should only be a nurse.

Episode explores the recurrent topic of nascent feminism in the 30s, with Olivia’s proto-liberation also a focal point for about the third time. They’re also building up Mary Ellen’s interest in medicine, in keeping with the writers giving each child some kind of identity fixture. GS David Selby made a career out of daytime and nighttime soaps; my two favorite roles of his are Quentin Collins on Dark Shadows and Michael Tyrone on Flamingo Road, a show that is woefully out of print anywhere!!

No comments:

Post a Comment