Grandpa's death and Grandma's return

[rochelle]

Yesterday, INSP aired the episode of Grandma's return home after her long stay in the hospital, recovering from a stroke.  Today was the one about John trying to decide whether to move to Richmond to become Matt Sarver's VP.  I believe it was the first show after Grandpa's death because they went to the mountain to his gravesite for his birthday.  I don't know if they're being shown in order and I am wondering if Will Geer's last appearance was in the Grandma returns home episode.  Does anyone know?

It seems this would have made for a difficult filming, especially for Ellen Corby.  To me, her sorrow seemed as if it were genuine, rather than just good acting.

Thanks in advance

Oh, one other question.  I think the sawmill work came about after The Homecoming original movie.  At least it seemed only a sideline/part time work.  Does anyone remember if it was ever stated *IN THE TV SHOW* what Grandpa did for a living in his younger days?  Thanks

[nedandres]

Yes, Geer´s final appearance was in the Grandma returns episode. Always so bittersweet for me to watch that episode. I do not remember Grandpa´s occupation being addressed in the series.

[ForeverWaltons]

Jun 13, 2018 16:28:17 GMT -5 rochelle said:

Yesterday, INSP aired the episode of Grandma's return home after her long stay in the hospital, recovering from a stroke.  Today was the one about John trying to decide whether to move to Richmond to become Matt Sarver's VP.  I believe it was the first show after Grandpa's death because they went to the mountain to his gravesite for his birthday.  I don't know if they're being shown in order and I am wondering if Will Geer's last appearance was in the Grandma returns home episode.  Does anyone know?

It seems this would have made for a difficult filming, especially for Ellen Corby.  To me, her sorrow seemed as if it were genuine, rather than just good acting.

Thanks in advance

The episode of Grandma's return home is indeed Will Geer's last appearance on The Waltons. It was Season 6 Episode 22 Grandma Comes Home. This episode aired on March 30, 1978. Will Geer died on April 22, 1978.

waltons.steve-p.org/seas6.php#22grand

www.imdb.com/title/tt0743670/?ref_=fn_ep_tt_1

The next episode is the one you described about them going to the mountain to his gravesite and John being offered a job. Season 7 Episode 1 The Empty Nest. This episode aired on September 21, 1978.

Will Geer born 3/09/1902 died 4/22/1978 - He was 76 years old. On his monument in The Empty Nest the date is 1865 - 1941, which is also 76 years.

waltons.steve-p.org/seas7.php#01empty

www.imdb.com/title/tt0743727/?ref_=fn_ep_tt_2

Side note: Flossie Brimmer's (Nora Marlowe) death is mentioned in The Empty Nest. The last episode she appeared in was The Grandchild Season 6 Episode 7, which aired on November 3, 1977. She died December 31, 1977. Can you believe that she was only 62 years old?

www.imdb.com/title/tt0743753/?ref_=fn_ep_tt_1

waltons.steve-p.org/seas6.php#07grand

[Brenda]

At the beginning of "The Empty Nest" episode, Earl Hamner says, "This episode of The Waltons is dedicated to the memory of Will Geer." INSP doesn't include that, but it is on the original video. I can remember Earl Hamner saying once that when they visited Grandpa's grave at the end of the episode, it was not just the Walton family paying tribute to Grandpa, but it was also a way for the cast to say good-bye to a beloved cast member. Will Geer died while they were on hiatus, and this episode provided closure for them.

At the end of The Homecoming, John said he wasn't returning to his job at Waynesboro. He said they would live off the land, and he mentioned there was timber he could cut. I always thought that was the beginning of the mill.

I don't think they ever said what Grandpa did for a living. My own grandfather was a farmer, but he also did other work whenever he could find it. Maybe that's what Grandpa did.

[rochelle]

Thanks to nedandres, ForeverWaltons and Brenda.  I knew I'd have my answers before bedtime.  

Waltons fans are THE BEST!   Really appreciate your time and info.

[carol]

Little did they know when they filmed the episode Grandma Comes Home that the final scene with Grandma and Grandpa on the front porch would be one of of the most bittersweet scenes in the series.

I think there was very little acting by any of the cast in the scenes at Grandpa's grave. We were seeing their true emotions flowing..

[goldfinch1]

Jun 14, 2018 21:39:59 GMT -5 carol said:

Little did they know when they filmed the episode Grandma Comes Home that the final scene with Grandma and Grandma on the front porch would be one of of the most bittersweet scenes in the series.

I think there was very little acting by any of the cast in the scenes at Grandpa's grave. We were seeing their true emotions flowing..

Absolutely Carol, totally agree with you, and it's such a difficult watch knowing what is to come next 😢.

Although it's so very sad, the scene at Grandpa's grave is truly moving with the families beautiful sentiments.  Through floods of tears, I love it 🌸

[carol]

The next time I saw The Empty Nest after it's original run was in the late 90's after my grandfather died. It made me think of him and how much I miss him, It still does.

[goldfinch1]

Jun 15, 2018 13:11:06 GMT -5 carol said:

The next time I saw The Empty Nest after it's original run was in the late 90's after my grandfather died. It made me think of him and how much I miss him, It still does.

😢
"To their surprise and to our grief, time crept up on those two vigorous old people. I remember that my grandmother at 94 was still beautiful and wore violets in her hair. And as long as he lived, my grandfather insisted that he'd been kissed by every pretty girl who happened to come by our house. How innocent were those days, how rich we are to have known them."

How rich indeed we all are to have known our dearest loved ones, such a beautiful quote.🌸

[egal]

Jun 13, 2018 19:18:45 GMT -5 Brenda said:

I don't think they ever said what Grandpa did for a living. My own grandfather was a farmer, but he also did other work whenever he could find it. Maybe that's what Grandpa did.

I can recall at least 2 times that it was said that Grandpa ran that mill in his younger years. One was in that same episode about his death. Ben had used Jim-Bobs truck to get the mill working, and John Sr said his Dad had done the same thing when he (John) was his age. When a load of lumber was bet on, Grandpa fooled the competition into using the river, as he'd tried it yrs ago and knew it wouldn't work.

[runhard]

Jun 13, 2018 16:28:17 GMT -5 rochelle said:

Yesterday, INSP aired the episode of Grandma's return home after her long stay in the hospital, recovering from a stroke.  Today was the one about John trying to decide whether to move to Richmond to become Matt Sarver's VP.  I believe it was the first show after Grandpa's death because they went to the mountain to his gravesite for his birthday.  I don't know if they're being shown in order and I am wondering if Will Geer's last appearance was in the Grandma returns home episode.  Does anyone know?

It seems this would have made for a difficult filming, especially for Ellen Corby.  To me, her sorrow seemed as if it were genuine, rather than just good acting.

Thanks in advance

Oh, one other question.  I think the sawmill work came about after The Homecoming original movie.  At least it seemed only a sideline/part time work.  Does anyone remember if it was ever stated *IN THE TV SHOW* what Grandpa did for a living in his younger days?  Thanks

I know I'm probably in the minority here but as I've said before on this Forum page I think the show should've ended with The Empty Nest and that final scene on the mountain at Grandpa's grave site. John's words to his father were beautiful and would've been a great way and a very high note to go out on, "and we'll be staying around here, probably forever." After The Empty Nest there were some good episodes but with the loss of both Richard Thomas and Will Geer the show was really never the same. I worked in the industry for quite awhile and the one thing I can tell you what many good television shows have done is stay around too long after good scripts and fresh ideas have been exhausted. I mean no one wants a favorite show to go off just recently I've seen the only two I watch canceled and both were still churning out good scripts and storylines. Covid reminded me just how much I love The Waltons I only wish they've would've stopped sooner when they lost many of the original cast instead of being canceled by CBS.

[joezeb]

The final episode with Grandpa and Grandma is such an emotional roller coaster for me.

Watching a grown man wiping tears of his cheeks can be awkward for some.

I can't watch the scene anymore where everyone is saying goodbye to him at his grave on the mountain.

Will Geer was an amazing actor and person and will be forever missed.