The character of John Walton

[runhard]

It's a Saturday afternoon and honestly there's nothing that intrigues me on television so why not watch a random episode of The Waltons. I chose from the first season The Sinner and it seems kind of fitting on a Easter weekend seeing it deals with sin, faith and more importantly forgiveness. In this episode the seventh of the series the character of John Walton shines so brightly and Ralph Waite's wonderful performance brings him to life where you forget he's just a character on a television show. The moment that moves me most is the forgiveness John shows to Yancy after he apologizes for causing the fire. In that short scene the character of both men John for extending his hand and accepting the humble apology and contrition of Yancy. Then later when the young Reverend Fordwich gets intoxicated at the Baldwin's and is later shunned by Miss Prissom and the congregation once again it's John who steps forward and shows the true measure of forgiveness and love thy neighbor. Earl and his writers truly captured the character, integrity, grace and humility of John Walton it's just too bad a shame in fact that Ralph Waite never received an Emmy for his performance.

[missyou123]

I agree. He should have received some type of award. He was a “real” father figure and an honest man. I loved him for that. I also loved him for his realism when it came down to his beliefs and how he expressed them. He was more spiritual and humble than some who were going to church every Sunday. His idea of being near the water and fishing hit a note with me because I’m like that. I feel so good when surrounded by nature. He was a good man. I really felt bad that they didn’t at least bring him back for the final episode. He was a major influence. 

[Easton]

Apr 9, 2023 8:11:26 GMT -5 missyou123 said:

I really felt bad that they didn’t at least bring him back for the final episode. He was a major influence. 

Yes, he was, but we must remember that nobody knew that was going to be the last episode. They were on hiatus following Season 9 fully expecting to return to film Season 10 when they received the news that the show was cancelled.

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2023 8:11:26 GMT -5 missyou123 said:

I agree. He should have received some type of award. He was a “real” father figure and an honest man. I loved him for that. I also loved him for his realism when it came down to his beliefs and how he expressed them. He was more spiritual and humble than some who were going to church every Sunday. His idea of being near the water and fishing hit a note with me because I’m like that. I feel so good when surrounded by nature. He was a good man. I really felt bad that they didn’t at least bring him back for the final episode. He was a major influence. 

It seemed like John had a lot of Zebulon his dad in him. His spiritual beliefs leaned much closer to Zeb's than to Esther's. He also had that love of nature like Zeb. Zeb was also a very good nature and fun loving man. John was pretty much the same. They also could be stubborn from time to time. John once when he was accused of stealing the goblet and he was not going to explain himself and Zeb when he fixed something at the Baldwins to pay for the electric bill and had the perfume and he would not explain that to Esther. 

[Easton]

^ I think their stubbornness rose out of their reputation, integrity, and pride which, at times, can be mistaken for stubbornness. (Some of that trickled down to some of the kids as well, namely Mary Ellen, Ben, and John-Boy.)

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2023 18:09:57 GMT -5 Easton said:

^ I think their stubbornness rose out of their reputation, integrity, and pride which, at times, can be mistaken for stubbornness. (Some of that trickled down to some of the kids as well, namely Mary Ellen, Ben, and John-Boy.)

There certainly were countless times Olivia asked John about getting Baptized and his response was Liv you never give up. Olivia was a bit stubborn about that for sure with John, but John was not going to waiver.