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Post by AR15 on May 6, 2012 6:47:18 GMT -5
So, since the point was made recently that their should be more praise based threads, here's one. Every episode seems to be based mainly around one or two characters, so which episodes are the best ones for each character. Zebulon: The Statue Zebulon, really, is a playful man who wants to have fun. And througout this episode you get to enjoy his antics with the statue identical to his old girlfriend. This episode is pretty much a straight comedy from start to finish and I enjoy it very much indeed! Esther: The Gypsies While not, on the whole, a really good episode, what makes it good is the way that Esther is trying so hard to make sure the baby gets proper medicine. She's not affraid to tell them what she thinks of what they're doing to do baby and she's definitely at her best here. John: John's Crossroads I just loved to see him defending all of the people who worked in that office. John was a very sensible man, he'd think out everything he did, yet here he is the first to rebel against that rude boss at the office. I'm sure a lot of people have known of an abusive person in power and to see John react as he does is excellent to watch. Olivia: The Parting Probably an odd choice, but when she faces the possibility of leaving Walton's Mountain, we really get to see how much Olivia loves the family and her life their. She may have gotten bored from time to time in the past, but here you get to see just how happy she is with her life on the mountain and with John and the kids, only for it to be taken tragically. John-Boy: The Firestorm or The Achievement I can't decide between these too. In The Firestorm you get to see how passionately he cares for freedom of speech and how he is so very much against censorship. Even if he's the in a minority he will still speak out, and that is very admirable. Meanwhile, in The Achievement, he travels all the way to New York to assure the safe arrival of his manuscript and we get to see him earn the thing he's worked all these years for! Jason: The Choice A lot of attention is paid to John-Boy's dreams of being a writer, and I think this is the first time Jason's dreams of being a musician are taken seriously. You realise also just how difficult a situation he is in by wanting to play music and it makes me, at least, respect him more. Mary Ellen: The Nurse The first step in Mary Ellen's change from a teenager to an adult. I think she matures a lot in this episode, and, like I've said on my other choices, it's good to see her with a clear ambition which she is working hard towards. Erin: The Starlet I don't think Erin got to have all that many stories where she took center stage and it wasn't a romance story, but this is an exception, and an excellent one at that. It's nice to learn a little about her ambitions and what she wants in life. Ben: The Persuit Ben is taken away from all of the series; regular surroundings and placed in a prisoner of war camp in Japan. But, despite being in such an alien location, the character still comes off well and it's good to see how he responds to a situation he is unused to. Jim-Bob: The Burden Jim-Bob always seemed to be such an easy going day dreamer. He's another character that I don't think had enough episodes about him but, here, you learn that while he may be day dreaming, he has important things in his head and that he also might not be as easy going as he seems. It's nice to see him come to terms with the things that had happened to him recently. Elizabeth: The Changeling A controversial choice I'm sure! But while this is probably the most hated episode, I enjoy it. It's so strange and unexpected, and such a bold move, I think, to feature the supernatural like that. But I enjoy Elizabeth's reactions to it all, and it's a good coming of age story for her, she brings back a lot of her habits from when she was very young in this episode, which is cool too. They're mine, what're yours? Feel free to include other characters e.g. Ike or Rose!
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on May 6, 2012 8:39:15 GMT -5
Nice writing AR!5. Just a couple thoughts I'd include in the Career Girl Erin struggles after high school graduation but at the end of the episode after talking to John Boy she enters business school and buys John Boy a typewriter. For Jason I liked him in the Conscience when he sruggles with going to war and killing people and he goes up on the mountain and figures out his thoughts. For Elizabeth I love the Ordeal and how she copes with her injury and the touching way she and Jim Bob redevelop their closeness at the end. The Ferris Wheel was a good one for her as well dealing with nightmaresThe Lie was a good one for Ben when he has to deal with the girl, taking the car and the mistaken lie. Is the Jim Bob Burden episode the one where he gets trapped under the car and wants to become a preacher? Good episode for him. John so many of his episodes were good. What about the one where he struggles with if he wants to keep running the mill. As for others Ike in the Attack when you see the effects of him having a heart attack. Get help now he tells Cora Beth. Verdie in the Scholar struggling with how to read and then when she mistakenly blamed John Boy for telling when it was a young Elizabeth who had done so without realizing their secret. Anyway these are just a few I can think of and I'll probably be back for more later. A good and refreshing Waltons post here lately AR!5. Best wishes waltonsportwriter
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Post by AR15 on May 6, 2012 12:44:29 GMT -5
Nice writing AR!5. Just a couple thoughts I'd include in the Career Girl Erin struggles after high school graduation but at the end of the episode after talking to John Boy she enters business school and buys John Boy a typewriter. For Jason I liked him in the Conscience when he sruggles with going to war and killing people and he goes up on the mountain and figures out his thoughts. For Elizabeth I love the Ordeal and how she copes with her injury and the touching way she and Jim Bob redevelop their closeness at the end. The Ferris Wheel was a good one for her as well dealing with nightmaresThe Lie was a good one for Ben when he has to deal with the girl, taking the car and the mistaken lie. Is the Jim Bob Burden episode the one where he gets trapped under the car and wants to become a preacher? Good episode for him. John so many of his episodes were good. What about the one where he struggles with if he wants to keep running the mill. As for others Ike in the Attack when you see the effects of him having a heart attack. Get help now he tells Cora Beth. Verdie in the Scholar struggling with how to read and then when she mistakenly blamed John Boy for telling when it was a young Elizabeth who had done so without realizing their secret. Anyway these are just a few I can think of and I'll probably be back for more later. A good and refreshing Waltons post here lately AR!5. Best wishes waltonsportwriter Thanks! Yes, The Burden is when Jim-Bob wants to become a preacher. I must say I find it pretty hard to choose just one episode (and I couldn't for John-Boy) and all those others ones you mentioned went through my head too. I agree about The Attack being Ike's best episode, that is a very good one indeed, and it's just so sad when he realises he's having a heart attack
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Post by Marilyn on May 6, 2012 13:34:39 GMT -5
I thought the Prophecy was the best one for John Sr plus the episode has a wonderful life lesson that can apply to all of us. I know I learned something from it. I'm watching it again tonight.
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Post by awesomemixtape10 on May 6, 2012 13:48:11 GMT -5
John sr-I cant think of the name-but the one where he walks out of The church is awesome. "I will not be shouted at !!"
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Post by Marilyn on May 6, 2012 13:58:21 GMT -5
I can't remember the name of that episode either, but that shouting preacher with the spittle popping out of his mouth and the veins popping out in his neck made me step back a few feet from the tv!
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Post by goldenslumbers on May 6, 2012 14:11:23 GMT -5
Greetings, all! Another newcomer to this board; I've lurked for quite a while.
This very topic has been on my mind for a while, which is why I'm finally jumping in. A similar topic - the best episode that best shows off each actor's acting ability is another.
Grandpa - I agree, The Statue is probably the best. Everything about that episode is engrossing, hilarious, cantankerous and loving. Just like Grandpa.
Grandma - I recall the name of the episode, but the one in which Esther receives an inheritance (is it called The Inheritance?). In any event, it's one of the few times where we see Grandma truly vulnerable (whuch all her salt in the world can't mask) and forgiving.
John, yeah, Marilyn, I'd rank The Prophecy high on the list, ut might rank the one where John befriends Todd Bridges a tad higher than that.
Olivia - the Air Mail Man, hands down. Everything that Olivia truly is and wishes to be in her heart of hearts (at least sometimes) is all there. I always see Olivia as someone who wants to beckon and indulge freedom and spirit of heart.
John Boy - Not gonna comment. I get sick of John Boy.
Mary-Ellen -- The Minstrel. It's an early-season episode where Mary-Ellen opts to hang with the wandering, singing minstrel rather than pick apples with her family. Her wanderlust is on full display - a lust that is partially fulfilled when her family give her money raised from selling apples for a trip to Washington, DC. Beautiful episode!
Jason - The episode where he finally decides to strike out in favor of his own personality versus cowtowing forever to John Boy's ambitions and whims.
Ben - The episode after he and Cindy are married, and Grandma teaches Cindy how to poke him with a broom. While not a complimentary episode for the character of Ben by any means, we do get to see him get wise in short order. Great character development.
Erin - The Career Girl, as someone else has already mentioned.
Jim-Bob - The Wingwalker.
Elizabeth - The Burn Out. It's interesting that just a week or so, you guys were commenting on her in this episode. There's not a single time where the essence of Elizabeth is on display any better. Great writing for the character, and terrific acting by Cotler. Watching her walk through the charred remains of the kitchen is something else.
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Post by Marilyn on May 6, 2012 14:52:41 GMT -5
Oh yes, the John Sr with Todd Bridges episode was also excellent and I was really amazed with how they tackled the race issue.
Welcome to the Waltons forum goldenslumbers!
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Post by awesomemixtape10 on May 6, 2012 15:37:50 GMT -5
yeah, welcome goldenslumbers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Boy - Not gonna comment. I get sick of John Boy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personally, I like John-boy, but I get the criticism of him. Again, he was put in a rough spot, and ,overall, he handled it very well. It's rough having to be the perfect son and having to look after all those kids. No 17 year old wants to do that with their free time.
In "The deed" episode I'd be very tempted to not come back, in all honesty.Just my opinion.
Like I said-I get why some people cant stand him. I respect your opinion-again, welcome to the forum.
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Post by dfnmeows44 on May 6, 2012 16:30:51 GMT -5
The Pursuit does not take place in Japan, but somewhere near Manila. Cindy--The Carousel(she discovers something that was unintentionally hidden from her but eventually reuniites with the mother who had abandoned her.This is brought up further in the reunion movie Mothers Day on Waltons Mountain where Charlie is born.
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Post by goldenslumbers on May 6, 2012 18:37:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcomes, folks. And for looking past my numerous typos. (I'll be more attentive in the future).
The Esther episode I referred to above was The Bequest. Another good Esther episode was the Rebellion, where she gets in a stew with another church organist.
And, no, I don't hate John Boy. He's the focus of several good episodes - the Love Story, The Typewriter, the Heritage, The First Edition, The Cloudburst - to name a few. He's just on way too often at the expense of others. Though I will admit to being irritated when John-Boy says "The Children". He was one of "the children" himself! Richard Thomas was great in the role, that I agree to without hesitation.
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Post by Brenda on May 6, 2012 20:05:18 GMT -5
Okay, I'm going to take a stab at this. It won't be easy, though, because some of the characters were featured in so many good episodes. I took the descriptions from the episode guide at the-waltons.com. Grandpa: The Fox (Grandpa likes to tell outlandish tales of his days with Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish American War, but balks at attending a reunion of the Rough Riders.) Grandma: Grandma Comes Home (Grandma returns home to a loving family, but all is not well. She is overly protcted by Grandpa and no longer feels needed. This was Ellen Corby's first appearance in the series since her stroke in 1976. This would be Will Geer's last episode. He died during the show's summer hiatus.) John: The Baptism (Even with the presence of a famous evangelist, John refuses to visit the tent meeting or get baptised.) Olivia: The Easter Story (The entire family suffers a crisis when Olivia is stricken with polio. Dr. Vance prescribes the accepted treatment, but Olivia does not get better. John-Boy learns of a new treatment practiced by Sister Kenny and the family tries it to success in time for the Easter service. ) John Boy: The Fire Storm (John-Boy, trying to keep the community informed about the news in Europe, decides to print excerpts from Hitler's "Mein Kampf'' in his newspaper. A great outcry ensues and the town is torn apart over the issue of publishing unfavorable items in the Blue Ridge Chronicle.) Jason: The Gift (Seth Turner, (Ron Howard), has a fatal disease and learns that he has just one year to live. Jason learns to deal with one of life's hardest lessons, the death of a close friend.) Mary Ellen: The Quilting (A quilting was to announce that a woman was of marrying age. Grandma is determined to have one for Mary Ellen who is just as determined not to participate in what she considers an insulting custom.) Ben: The Outsider (Ben arrives home in the middle of the night with his new bride, Cindy. They set up housekeeping in the shed, but the early days of marriage are not easy until Grandma steps in.) Erin: The First Casualty ( G. W. Haines is killed in a training accident. ) JimBob: The Secret (Jim Bob, convinced that he was adopted, searches out the details of his birth and finds that he was part of a set of twins. His brother died at birth.) Elizabeth: The Ordeal (Elizabeth breaks her legs in a fall from a log pile. She can only walk with crutches until, one day, Jim Bob convinces her to walk.)
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on May 6, 2012 20:48:32 GMT -5
Okay, I'm going to take a stab at this. It won't be easy, though, because some of the characters were featured in so many good episodes. I took the descriptions from the episode guide at the-waltons.com. Grandpa: The Fox (Grandpa likes to tell outlandish tales of his days with Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish American War, but balks at attending a reunion of the Rough Riders.) Grandma: Grandma Comes Home (Grandma returns home to a loving family, but all is not well. She is overly protcted by Grandpa and no longer feels needed. This was Ellen Corby's first appearance in the series since her stroke in 1976. This would be Will Geer's last episode. He died during the show's summer hiatus.) John: The Baptism (Even with the presence of a famous evangelist, John refuses to visit the tent meeting or get baptised.) Olivia: The Easter Story (The entire family suffers a crisis when Olivia is stricken with polio. Dr. Vance prescribes the accepted treatment, but Olivia does not get better. John-Boy learns of a new treatment practiced by Sister Kenny and the family tries it to success in time for the Easter service. ) John Boy: The Fire Storm (John-Boy, trying to keep the community informed about the news in Europe, decides to print excerpts from Hitler's "Mein Kampf'' in his newspaper. A great outcry ensues and the town is torn apart over the issue of publishing unfavorable items in the Blue Ridge Chronicle.) Jason: The Gift (Seth Turner, (Ron Howard), has a fatal disease and learns that he has just one year to live. Jason learns to deal with one of life's hardest lessons, the death of a close friend.) Mary Ellen: The Quilting (A quilting was to announce that a woman was of marrying age. Grandma is determined to have one for Mary Ellen who is just as determined not to participate in what she considers an insulting custom.) Ben: The Outsider (Ben arrives home in the middle of the night with his new bride, Cindy. They set up housekeeping in the shed, but the early days of marriage are not easy until Grandma steps in.) Erin: The First Casualty ( G. W. Haines is killed in a training accident. ) JimBob: The Secret (Jim Bob, convinced that he was adopted, searches out the details of his birth and finds that he was part of a set of twins. His brother died at birth.) Elizabeth: The Ordeal (Elizabeth breaks her legs in a fall from a log pile. She can only walk with crutches until, one day, Jim Bob convinces her to walk.) I agree with your great choices and for the person that asked I think the Baptism is where John shouts back at the loud mouthed visiting preacher in my opinion. Nice write Best wishes waltonsportwriter
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Post by awesomemixtape10 on May 6, 2012 23:53:49 GMT -5
yeah, The "baptism" is the name of it.
great list, Brenda !
John Boy-too many to choose from. I'll choose "The Deed" because he has to conquer the means streets Of The big city of Wheeling, WV lol. I'm from West Virginia, and I get kick out of that,
John sr-The Baptism
Grandpa-. I'll go with the episode where Grandma is in The hospital, and it ends with him outside The hospital saying goodnight to her. He was Awesome in that episode. Great acting. Sorry, I cant remember the episode name.
Olivia-Easter story
Grandma-Yeah, The inheritance is real good.
Jason-Without a doubt "The gift" Maybe the saddest episode ever.
Mary-ellen- I guess-I'll go with "The Wedding"
Erin-The Fawn
Ben- Probably the one where he unknowingly works at a rival lumber company, and he comes back.
Jim-Bob-A lot of them...eI'll go with the one where Jim-bob, Olivia, and Elizabeth get stranded in the woods. Would clapping rocks really scare off a bear like that? That was awesome.
Elizabeth-She was real good in "The 5-foot Shelf" does that count?
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on May 7, 2012 7:57:22 GMT -5
Anything counts lol awesome and welcome goldenlumbers to the forum! Best wishes waltonsportwriter/wmfan ;D
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