An Easter Story

"An Easter Story" was the final episode of the first season of The Waltons. It was also the first two-hour show of the series.[1]

"An Easter Story"
The Waltons episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 24
Directed byPhilip Leacock
Story byEarl Hamner Jr.
Teleplay byJohn McGreevey
Narrated byEarl Hamner Jr.
Produced byRobert L. Jacks
Featured musicArthur Morton
Cinematography byRussell Metty
Editing by
Original air dateApril 19, 1973 (1973-04-19)

Plot

Olivia begins to experience pain and fatigue, and eventually collapses after church. Numbness in her legs turns to paralysis, and she is diagnosed with polio. However, she refuses to believe that she will never walk again.

Jason is inspired by Grandma as she does her housework. He composes a song he calls "The Ironing Board Blues" which he performs in an amateur talent contest. He wins the contest and a new guitar. The family watches him perform. Back at home, they reenact the contest for Olivia and Erin.

When John-Boy checks in to apply at the University of Virginia, he finds out there is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of polio. John-Boy seeks the doctor out and he tells John-Boy of a new experimental treatment. John-Boy and Grandma encourage Olivia to try the exercises against the advice of the doctor, who suggests that the experimental treatment could leave her worse off. At first, she has hope of recovery by Easter, but then she becomes discouraged and resigns herself to life in a wheelchair. However, shortly before Easter, she dreams that Elizabeth calls out for help, and she gets up out of bed without effort.

Olivia attends the Easter sunrise service on the mountain with her family, celebrating the apparent miracle.

Cast

Production

Writing

The episode was produced by Robert L. Jacks. The teleplay was written by John McGreevey, based on a story by Earl Hamner, Jr.[2]: 78 

Music

The song Ironing Board Blues used in the episode was written and performed by Jon Walmsley.

Reception

In 2009, TV Guide ranked this episode #77 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.[3]

Awards
Award Year[lower-alpha 1] Category Nominee Result Ref(s)
Emmy Award 1973 Outstanding Drama Series Won [4]
Emmy Award 1973 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Richard Thomas Won [5]
Emmy Award 1973 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Michael Learned Won [6]
Emmy Award 1973 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Ellen Corby Won [7]
Emmy Award 1973 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Will Geer Nominated [8]

Notes
  1. Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References
  1. Hamner, Earl, Jr. (2002). Goodnight John-Boy : a celebration of an American family and the values that have sustained us through good times and bad. Ralph Giffin. Nashville, TN: Cumberland House. p. 85. ISBN 1-58182-298-7. OCLC 50339848.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Person, James E. (2005). Earl Hamner, From Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow. Cumberland House. ISBN 9781581824551.
  3. "TV's Top 100 Episodes of All Time: #80-61". TV Guide. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. "Outstanding Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  5. "Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  6. "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  7. "Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  8. "Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series Nominees / Winners 1973". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
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