Airdate: 2/19/81
Jim Bob and Jodie get back from their hitch with Uncle Sam,
and start to develop a reckless, devil-may-care lifestyle. The family scorns
Jim Bob for not taking more responsibility or looking for work, and Verdie chastises
her son for behaving like a child instead of a man, particularly in his
father’s absence. Nothing, not speeding tickets, incarceration – or even
Jodie’s hospitalization after a reckless student – seems to change them. When
Jim Bob considers reenlisting, Elizabeth talks some sense into him, and he and
Jodie decide to co-operate a garage, using both their skill with auto
mechanics. Subplot: the Baldwins are busted by the feds for their illegal
still. After it gets confiscated, they decide to continue moonshining using
Father’s old still found in a secret room.
Another so-so episode with some modern-day (early-80s)
commentary about risky youth behavior (drinking and driving, speeding). Fuzzy
ending establishes Jim Bob and Jodie as auto mechanics now – and now all the
Walton boys, except John-Boy, have jobs! Actually, now that Ben’s okay, isn’t
he leaving for France anyway?
With both parents absent, this is somewhat reminiscent of Good Times’ sixth, parentless season.
Only Rose, and potentially Jason, is left to act as surrogate authority
figures. Odd, but that’s what CBS wanted – a more youth-driven show.
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