A 101-year old
Cherokee Indian, Joseph Teskigi, and his grandson, Matthew, arrive at the
Walton’s from a reservation in North Carolina. When Zeb takes Joseph up to the
mountain, they reminisce about old times, former loves, and the tragedy of the
mistreatment of Native Americans by the white man. Looking around, Joseph
recognizes key landmarks from his people’s original settlement, and declares that
the Waltons’ barn is smack dab on the actual site of an Indian burial ground.
When he and Matthew attempt to burn the structure down, John has the old man
arrested. At court, the judge hears Joseph’s impassioned memory how his father
was never fitfully buried anywhere as he marched on the infamous Trail of
Tears, never to be heard from again. Joseph dies soon after, and a
guilt-stricken John, after seeing proof that the barn indeed is on the burial ground, reconsiders
some of his earlier rash behavior. All agree to bury Joseph up on the mountain
next to the Walton’s own forbears, with the understanding that all who lived
and prospered on the land also deserve to rest in peace there.
Potentially
hokey episode (that ancient Indian looks like a Gunsmoke extra) reliably becomes a hanky-drenched affair by the end
credits. Again, the trend continues with just a few cast members showcased per
episode – in this case, Zeb, John and Elizabeth (and no subplots, if you don’t
count Myrtle the goat’s illness, which is tied to Matthew’s homeopathic healing
abilities). Another history-based offering, this is the first episode to deal
with the plight of Native Americans – and Joseph has two monologues here that
do give one pause regarding that dark chapter in United States history.
Olivia has only
two brief scenes in this episode.
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