The Waltons: The Woman (1975)
Season 3, Episode 23
9/10
John Man Not John Boy
6 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This time Thomas is portraying a young man so obsessed with a woman you can almost believe Thomas himself is in love. John Boy agrees to escort a famous NY poet around who is visiting Boatwright since his professor is unavailable. He immediately finds her beautiful and engaging. Madeline, herself is quite taken with this young man who shares her love of words. Soon she demonstrates how much she too cares and John Man is smitten. The love story is outstanding and you feel John's ache and passion for her. This is not puppy love.

Meanwhile we find Olivia and John will be exchanging their vows on their 20th anniversary and the children want to give them something sentimental not so much expensive. That scenario almost distracts from this love story. How could 7 kids draw that beautiful house showing all the rooms and draw themselves in the house? Did they have Olivia draw it? None of them can draw yet it's a professional painting and almost ruins the main plot but maybe not because Thomas' fine acting as well as Ms. Campbell's dominates this episode.

Madeline could never live in a provincial town after NYC but wants to be with him. John Man decides to quit school and home to be with her so she will wait and take a later train. On his way back to town for their departure he has second thoughts about this intention and he's wretched but is thinking clearly. He kisses her good-bye, she boards the train and that expressive smile he gives her is classic. A very poignant episode and Thomas certainly can portray a man head over heels in love.
6 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed