It's so hard for me to put into words---and I'm sure I've said this in other reviews for this series---but for me, the best episodes are the simplest. What I mean is: there is nothing "big" or "large" about the story. There are no important guest stars; there is no life-changing message to be learned; and the script does a great job at not hitting me over the head with its message.
Sure, there are things learned by some of the principals during the course of the episode. But it's all done so simply, in a beautifully simple way. These kind of episodes are my favorite......as though I'm just THERE, taking part in the simple beauty of what it means to be among The Waltons.
Ralph Waite really shines again. I DO think that he is my favorite actor on this show. He displays such a quiet, humble majesty....well, most of the time. However, his character has been known to blow his top; and this episode is no exception.
From start to finish, it's a great slice-of-life episode. I guess that is what makes it a sterling episode in my book.