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Monday, April 22, 2013

Waltons 7.8: “The Illusion”


Airdate: 11/16/78

Verdie’s daughter, Esther, comes to visit along with her baby with news that her marriage is kaput and, despite having a college degree, is unemployed. Tensions run high between the two as Esther is a very outspoken young woman, bitter that the American dream has no place for African-Americans. When Erin goes to work for a defense plant run by J.D. Pickett, she finds the work tedious and demeaning – Picket has a reputation for not retaining workers, so Erin suggest Esther solicit her skills as a personnel manager for him and, after much hesitation, Pickett accepts.

Props to The Waltons for dealing with the topic of racial inequality and the “glass ceiling” for black college grads, but Joan Pringle overacts her role as Esther there are times when this comes across as bad summer stock of A Raisin in the Sun. Todd Bridges returns in his role as Josh Foster.


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