Waltons 3.9: “The Marathon”

Airdate: 11/7/74

Or, They Shoot Waltons, Don’t They? John-Boy enters a weeklong dance marathon against the wishes of his mother, who’s feeling the effects of the Empty Nest Syndrome. His partner, a pretty malcontent named Daisy Garner, is resolute about winning the grand prize, two hundred dollars in cash, so she can leave humdrum Virginia for the razzle-dazzle of New York City. The rigors of the competition become too much for John-Boy, who, after seeing other competitors pass out and collapse from exhaustion, decides that it’s not worth it, and drops out, leaving his partner to continue with someone else.

Possibly the most entertaining episode of the season nonetheless has a rather unsatisfying ending. It would be nice to know who, if anyone, wins this thing, but the show’s writer decided that John-Boy patching things up with his mom was more important. Comparisons to the aforementioned 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? are inevitable; this could be a good launching pad to catch up with that underrated gem starring Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin. Never danced in a marathon, but if  TV and movies are any indication (Horses ends with an assisted suicide), it’s no picnic!

Some good period music here during the dance scenes, and an interesting subplot  - technology alert – in which the kids construct a crystal radio.

Guest star Deidre Lenihan, as Daisy Garner, returns in several other Waltons episodes. She acted in some other 70s dramas and is the mother of actors Samantha and Dan Sloyan.

For the first time, this episode ends with a long shot of the house – during the day! (The family says goodnight to John-Boy at dawn after he gets home from the marathon.)