Airdate: 3/3/77
The Baldwin
Sisters’ niece, Hilary, comes to Waltons Mountain after living in Austria for
several years. Several receptions are held in her honor, but John Boy is
frustrated that she won’t answer her questions about the growing dominance of
the Nazi party in Europe. In fact, most everyone resents John-Boy’s warning
about the threat overseas, except Jason, who wants to join the National Guard,
much to the vehement disapproval of his mother. When Hilary sees Jason in
uniform playing piano, she faints; it is revealed that he had reminded her of
her own son, who was killed by Nazis, prompting her to flee the country and her
husband, a German diplomat. Resolved to continue the fight to protect her loved
ones, she returns to Vienna right before its fall to the Nazis.
Another
WWII-foreshadowing episode, analogous to season one’s “The Ceremony,” also
about European refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Increased focus on “the winds
of war” possibly sets up its involvement in the next season’s shows.
Prolific actor
Jean Marsh (co-creator of Upstairs Downstairs)
shines in her emotional role as Hilary, although her English accent makes it a
bit hard to buy her as an American.
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