Airdate:
12/22/77
John Walton has
one more bank payment on his lumber mill, so he takes on a mammoth fencepost
order so he can be free and clear of all debt! The entire Walton clan chips in
to help – even Elizabeth assumes the role of water girl – and soon enough the
job is done and John throws a huge mortgage-burning celebration. His freedom of
debt is short-lived though, when Ike Godsey arrives with the news that 50
refrigerators he had purchased at an auction are defective, and without money
to pay back he could lose the store, which he had put up for collateral. John
and Olivia mutually agree to co-sign for a loan to Ike, meaning John must now
re-mortgage the mill.
Subplot:
Reverend Buchannan causes a scandal, especially with Corabeth, when he brings
“hussy” Marcia Woolery to the mortgage party. Erin says not to worry; she knows
who will eventually marry the reverend: herself!
Above-average
episode in terms of writing and directing. Director Gwen Arner has some
creative camera shots, and an exceptional, unbroken long take of the family
helping with the post order, focusing on each of their individual jobs. Writer
Marion Hargrove keeps the dialogue true to character but also crisp and sharp,
including two strong monologues: one by John’s friend, Joe Brendamore, about
the social system of perpetual dependence, comparing people to fleas on a dog,
and the other John’s speculation about what he would do with the extra money he
would have after paying his debt.
Love the new
musical theme that usually plays after commercials – it seems as though each
season has its own distinct one (last year’s was the quaint and charming
“John-Boy Theme”). Again, reminiscent of the more country-tinged works of Randy
Newman.
Another TV trope
at work again: nothing changes. John’s right back where he started from,
“another day older and deeper in debt.”
Cold open goes
back to being a teaser, not an entire scene from the show.
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