User Reviews

I don't think I've seen anyone work harder than John Boy when he wants to own a car. He agrees to repair a roof, fix the windows, clean up the yard and chop wood for Hyder, a very disagreeable man. The guy won't even let him see the car but John stands his ground and thinks it's worth working for. What he doesn't know is that this man isn't about to part with this last memory of his dead son. After John Boy practically owns the car Hyder pulls him out of it and John Boy is faced with a dilemma. Will he ever get his reward?

I'm surprised Hyder's wife didn't leave him long ago or have him committed. He has serious issues and she appears very depressed by it all.

I wonder why John Boy didn't ask Jason and Ben to help him since they were off school. They could be paid back with rides in the car and John Boy wouldn't have to be so tired.

John Boy wants to show the car to his sisters and they find Hyder has driven it somewhere. The wife decides she can no longer stay with this impossible person and tells the Waltons about their son. John Boy retrieves the car, drives it to Hyder and decides to ask about his son. John Boy's psychology skills allow Hyder to confront this hatred he has for humanity, maybe start caring for his wife and realize his son won't be coming back.

John Boy now owns the car and the whole family shares his joy. John Boy could major in journalism and minor in psychology. He didn't get angry but showed real fortitude to help this broken man.

TITLE: THE CAR ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 14, 1974 WRITER: Chris Andrews DIRECTOR: Philip Leacock

PROLOGUE: "In every town or village there used to be the hidden people, those who for one reason or another are shut away from life or, for some strange reason shut themselves away from the world. My quest for a car in which to drive back and forth to college was eventually to lead me to two of those hidden people."

SYNOPSIS: The Waltons cleanup around the outside of their home after a storm has knocked down branches and done damage to their property. John-Boy is anxious to buy a car for college. He goes with his Daddy to Buck Higgins but Buck needs $35 cash and is not willing to trade it for lumber. When they stop for gas at Ike's they learn that Hyder Rudge needs his roof repaired and has a car that he hasn't used for some time and might be willing to trade for the help. John-Boy takes Ole Blue over to the Rudge's and agrees to a hard bargain in exchange for the vehicle. John-Boy is excited when he sees the car. It is in good condition and comes with a rumble seat. The Walton children are excited about John-Boy's new car. They want to give it a new paint job and John-Boy agrees to a "dignified tan" color. Hyder is very protective of the car. When John-Boy finishes the work for the Rudges he discovers that Hyder has taken and hidden the car from John-Boy and tells him that the car will never be his. Mrs. Rudge decides to leave Hyder as she can longer abide by his choices. She stops by the Walton's and tells John-Boy about their son who died at sea with the Merchant Marines.

QUESTIONS: Who did the car really belong to? Why couldn't the owner part with the car?

EPILOGUE: "The Rudges remained hidden people to a certain extent, rarely involving themselves in our lives or that of the community. Perhaps they just didn't need us, that without the false dream they were finally able to find contentment in their lives together."

MY THOUGHTS: I give this episode 5 weasel stars