[guitar music]
[theme music]
[car honking]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
When I was growing up back in those
distant Depression years...
I always seemed to be a year or two younger...
than I wanted to be...
and a year or two older than my parents thought I was.
It tried my patience for a long time...
until one day, something happened
to my sister, Mary Ellen...
that helped me understand those feelings in myself.
I'm sorry.
Hi there. I'm Jamie.
Mary Ellen Walton.
You a stranger around here?
I'm traveling through. You okay?
I think so.
-You live nearby? -Up there.
Where are you from?
Here, there, and everywhere. I'm a traveling minstrel.
I'm trying to see as much of this world as my two feet...
and this sad excuse for a burro will take me to.
You just travel whenever you want to?
I'm trying to set down on paper...
all the old songs I hear from all over the world.
Now and again, I sing a song or two for my supper.
I'm late for mine. Goodbye.
I'm traveling, too. I'm going to Virginia Beach.
Hey, Daddy!
Apple cobbler tomorrow, everybody.
Liv, have I got news for you!
And how's your love story coming, John-Boy?
I tell you, I know how the hero feels, alright...
but I'm having a little trouble with how the girl feels
when he kisses her.
I thought maybe you could help me with it a little bit.
I'll tell you all about it later, John-Boy.
Liv, I spent the afternoon with old man Pickett.
Owns those apple orchards over in Earlysville.
I didn't think you could charm that old grouch out of anything.
I made a deal with him, a business deal.
He's got an orchard full of ripe apples.
He contracted a railroad car to haul them away...
all the pickers are busy over in Cumberland County.
It'd be a shame if all those apples rot on the trees.
They won't.
We're gonna pick them.
What are you all looking at? Turn around and eat your meal.
Once you finish, get yourself a good night's rest...
because tomorrow...
we're gonna pick us an orchard full of apples.
Can we keep some of the apples?
You can keep all you can eat, Ben.
-Oh, boy. -Apple cobbler.
Daddy, how're we going to pick a whole orchard full of apples?
Mighty fast, that's how.
And it's a lot of apples, a whole lot of apples.
I'm gonna need every one of you.
It's hard cash on the line if we deliver on time.
But that Pickett's a shrewd one.
He put a little hook in the deal.
What's old Pickett done? Glued his apples onto the trees?
He doesn't believe we can fill that contract.
So he's giving us a 10-cent bonus for every bushel we pick.
And you all get to keep every cent of that bonus.
Money, Ben.
But what happens if we don't pick them in time?
If we don't...
I owe him 50 cents for every bushel we leave on the tree.
That's an awful gamble, isn't it?
No gamble at all, Liv. Just look here.
We got a whole houseful of Waltons
who are very good at picking apples.
I'm gonna pick a million bushels.
I'll bet you are.
I'm sorry, but you can't. You're just 13 years old.
But Caroline Keswick is 16
and her cousin, Nancy Sue, is almost 18.
She lives in Richmond and she owns her own car.
I just don't think it's suitable...
for three young girls to be alone
for a whole week away from home.
But we have it all planned.
Have you planned your share of the expenses?
It's only $9.
That's more than we can spare right now, child.
Mama, I'm not a child.
I'm growing up, but nobody wants to let me.
Don't you understand this is the biggest...
most important thing that's ever happened to me?
You'll have plenty of chances...
when you're old enough to make your own decisions.
And right now, you got a chance to make some money.
That bonus I talked to you about.
Buy yourself a new dress or anything you want.
Besides, you'll be helping the family.
I want to get away from being stuck here.
Travel someplace. See people and places different...
than what I've seen and done ever since I could talk.
When will I ever get a chance like this again?
What I'm saying is not to be mean to you...
but to do what I think is right for you.
How would you know? I want to see the ocean, taste, listen.
You're so dumb to think I'd be happy to give that up...
just to pick apples!
Now listen here, young lady, if there's one thing I won't allow
it's a disrespectful child.
Now you go on off and think about what we've both said.
Go on, now!
If I could, I'd run away from home.
And as soon as I can, I'm going to!
Now listen here.
Let her be, John.
Words like that shouldn't be allowed to fester, Liv.
She needs some time to be alone.
-Good evening. -Hello.
You wouldn't happen to have a few mouthfuls of hay...
for a hungry burro, would you?
And something tasty for his master?
I can only sing for my supper.
Sure, help yourself to the hay.
We've already eaten supper...
but let me see if Mama's got something extra for you.
Come on.
[dramatic music]
* I want to see an ocean *
* Know if it tastes of salt *
* Swim in a Maine river *
* Running wild *
* Living in a city of strangers *
* Where neighbors don't know my name *
* Where I am "me" and not my parent's child *
* Some need roots to grow on, but I'm a blossom man *
* Never saw a firefly caught that smiled *
* Rainbows die at sunset *
* and laughter has no sea *
* My name is "Now" *
* won't be tomorrow's child *
-Hi. -Hi there.
-It's a beautiful song. -Thanks.
Did you sing for your supper?
I wasn't worth it. Your mama's a good cook.
The stars are like diamonds on velvet tonight.
The moon's up, too.
-Gonna be here in the morning? -For breakfast.
-Good night. -Good night, Mary Ellen.
How long have you been traveling around seeing things?
Since I was 15.
What's it like?
Every day is so different from the one before.
Good night, Jamie.
Maude Gormley.
She lives way out in the sticks
but she's the person you'd want to see.
You think she'd sing some of her old songs for me?
I mean, my being a stranger.
Maybe if one of us went with you.
And you're all busy.
And you probably want to get a good night's sleep
before tomorrow, too.
It sure has been nice talking to you all.
I haven't been on a front porch in a long time.
-Good night. -Good night, Jamie.
He said that when his ears are tired of listening...
and his eyes are tired of seeing
then he just might settle down someplace.
You think he's lazy, John-Boy?
He helped me with the chores without my asking.
Sure is full of wanderlust.
A lot of young people would like to travel these days
if they could.
Yeah.
Mike Hackett, he travels 40 miles a day...
to get a job that pays less than 50 cents an hour.
I know, hard times. I said, "if they could."
I guess Jamie's just busy doing something else...
than we're accustomed to.
Like writing down old Maude's songs.
You think her songs need writing down?
He thinks they do.
He's a nice-mannered boy.
-Ready for bed, Mary Ellen? -Yeah.
I wanted to say I'm sorry, Daddy, for sassing you
the way I did and being disrespectful.
That's all over with.
Can I kiss you good night?
I couldn't get to sleep without it.
You're gonna be all grown up before you know it, Mary Ellen.
I was looking at the stars.
You know, the stars are so far away...
that by the time the light from them gets here...
they're all blown up.
Gone.
That's how I feel about seeing things I want to see...
and doing things I want to do.
By the time I grow up, they won't be here.
-Good night, John-Boy. -Good night, Mary Ellen.
Maybe Mary Ellen could take Jamie up to Maude Gormley's.
I'm sure that'd be a real treat for her.
Can't do that, son.
Got a whole orchard full of apples just waiting on us.
I'm gonna turn in, too.
-Good night, Mama, Daddy. -Good night.
You know, Daddy...
I know what Mary Ellen means about those stars.
Good night.
Why don't you let her go?
I'll tell her in the morning.
We're gonna be one short tomorrow at picking apples.
Daddy's letting Mary Ellen show Jamie the way over
to Maude Gormley's.
Wish I were gonna hear Maude sing.
She'd sing all day if anybody would sit and listen.
* I was born in East Virginia *
* North Carolina I did roam *
* There I met a fair pretty maiden *
* Her name and age I do not know *
* Her hair it was of a brightsome color *
* And her lips of ruby red *
* On her breast she wore white lilies *
* There I longed to lay my head *
[harmonica music]
[joyful music]
[music continues]
I think I broke it.
Yes.
Best get to the doctor right away.
Take this. Careful. Take him up.
Easy. Come on.
Pa, you take him in. Come on.
I'm sorry, Daddy.
Alright, step back.
Hold on, John-Boy. We'll be at the hospital soon.
It doesn't really hurt so bad.
How long have we got to finish picking those apples?
The day after tomorrow.
* Johnson boys was raised in the ashes *
* Didn't know how to court a maid *
* Turn their backs and hide their faces *
* Sight of a pretty girl makes them afraid *
* Johnson boys eat peas and honey *
* They have eaten 'em it all of their life *
* Make the peas taste mighty funny *
* But it keeps them on the knife *
You heard Maude sing that just once and you already know it.
It takes practice.
You just stay right there. I want to sketch you.
Okay.
Just relax. But don't move around.
Winter's coming.
The squirrels are gathering their hazelnuts.
There's a lot of people like that. Too many.
What's wrong with saving for a rainy day?
Today is what's wrong.
So many people are worried about tomorrow's rain...
they're afraid to enjoy today's sunshine.
My parents are like that.
-Not you? -I don't want to be.
At night I watch the sun set...
and I wonder what it's like to be where the sun is coming up.
Yeah.
Are you like that?
I've been from sea to shining sea...
and I've watched your sun slide beneath the waves...
out past the Golden Gate.
I was in a hurricane once...
that ripped up trees the size of your house
and blew them two blocks away.
That was on the Gulf Coast. And even to Paris, France.
You know, you can live there on oysters, white wine, and cheese.
And the chestnut trees, they shed so many blossoms...
the sidewalks, they look like snow.
I'd like to see that.
Well, there you go.
That's me?
You're blushing, Mary Ellen.
You made her so pretty.
Doesn't do you justice.
Mary Ellen.
-Hi, Mom. -You're out late, aren't you?
I had such a good day.
Let's sit down for a while.
Where is everybody? It's still early.
Asleep.
They worked till dark, ate supper, and collapsed into bed.
John-Boy broke a bone in his wrist. He fell out of a tree.
-Is he alright? -He's fine.
He just has to wear a plaster cast for a while.
I'm sorry I wasn't here.
Mary Ellen, you had a special day, and I'm glad of it.
We all need one now and again.
Just to say, "I'm me," and not worry about anything.
It was the most beautiful day of my life.
-It really was. -I'm so glad.
I didn't mean that I don't care about John-Boy.
I know you didn't.
He couldn't pick apples, and I wasn't here either.
Now don't you fret over it.
What's the matter?
I love you, Mama. And Daddy, and all of you.
And we love you, too.
And I'm truly sorry about today.
But?
It's all rushing past me. That's the way it always feels.
It's all going by and I'm just standing still.
Always watching and hearing about exciting things...
and never doing anything.
Mary Ellen, my life is very happy here.
Very rich.
I have my bad days, too, but....
Some day when you're a little older...
and you find a man to love and care for...
someone to share your dreams with
you won't feel so restless.
And it won't be long now.
Mama, I see the life you and Daddy have here...
and I don't want it.
Now, don't be ashamed of your feelings. They're honest.
I wish I knew how I felt.
I always thought this was a home for you, honey, not a prison.
Thanks, Daddy.
Just don't hurry things.
You had something to eat?
Maybe you better go upstairs and get some rest.
It's been a long day and we're all pretty tired.
-Good night, Daddy, Mama. -Good night, Mary Ellen.
Did you ever taste the ocean?
I wonder if it really tastes salt.
Liv, all children grow up.
I'm gonna have nothing but apple cobbler three meals a day.
Better put aside some money for Doc Shackleford.
We're gonna have some giant bellyaches around here.
Apple cobbler?
My mother had a special way of making apple cobbler
with cinnamon in it.
-Nutmeg. -Cinnamon.
-It was nutmeg. -Cinnamon.
Anyway, your grandma here never could seem
to get the knack of it. Never could seem to learn.
I learned to put up with you, though.
[instrumental music]
-Hi. -Hey.
I think Chance likes me better one-handed.
Will you talk to me, John-Boy?
What about?
How important do you think it is to be what you want to be?
I think it's very important.
You want to be a writer...
but you stay here and help Daddy.
Girl, they need me here.
They took care of me when I was a baby.
Fed me, wiped my bottom, made me clothes. Loved me.
I figure I owe them something for that.
You're paying a debt.
I'm not paying a debt. It's a loyalty.
Do you love them?
Of course I love them.
We're gonna be stuck here forever.
No, we're not gonna be stuck here forever.
When we get married, we'll go off...
and have a new loyalty that's more important.
Just like when Mama left her parents to marry Daddy.
Are you happy living here, John-Boy?
Not when I have to milk the cow, I don't.
I mean, really.
Yes, I think I'm happy here.
I'm happy, I guess.
[sighs]
And I'm unhappy, too.
John-Boy...
is something wrong with me?
I'm gonna buy me a machine to make licorice whip.
I saw a hat at Ike Godsey's.
It has pink silk ribbons hanging down the back...
and a little make-believe flower made out of velvet.
It's so pretty.
You already got a hat.
You should look absolutely gorgeous in that.
Can I have a sip of that, please, Jim-Bob?
I had my eye on a fishing rod in the mail order catalogue.
It claimed it can flick a fly
as light as a falling flake of snow.
I wanna get me a new harmonica.
One of them with two sets of holes.
You can play a melody and a harmony at the same time.
I hope you can, Jason. I can't play either one.
[laughter]
Little red devils.
[intense music]
[soft music]
I think she's run off, John.
She could have gone home.
More likely she took off after that Jamie.
I'm worried.
We'll pack up now. She's probably home.
[guitar music]
* I want to see an ocean *
* Know if it tastes of salt *
* Swim in a Maine river *
* Running wild *
* Living in a city of strangers *
* Where neighbors don't know my name *
* Where I am "me" and not my parent's child *
* Some need roots to grow on, but I'm a blossom man *
* Never saw a firefly caught that smiled *
* Rainbows die at sunset *
* and laughter has no sea *
* My name is "Now" *
* won't be tomorrow's child **
That's me. I want to see the ocean.
They say at Virginia Beach, the sand is silver in the moonlight.
You got the hunger.
Would you take me?
-How old are you? -16.
-You're a girl. -I'd be safe with you.
-I guess I reckon you would. -Thanks, Jamie.
Really, thanks.
You're not the first, you know.
Others have seen me rolling free
made the same talk you have.
-What happened? -I don't know.
They all had roots so deep,
they never could pull up and come along.
Or if they did, they went right back the day after.
Not me.
You sure are late. Supper's warming in the oven.
-Is Mary Ellen here? -Isn't she with you?
We think maybe she's run away.
If I had any brains I would have seen this coming.
I bet she followed that Jamie fellow. You know he moved on?
Alright, children. Get washed up for supper.
Don't worry, Mama, Mary Ellen can take care of herself.
She's the best fighter in the whole school.
Thanks, Jim-Bob.
Daddy went to notify the Sheriff and he's not back yet.
I guess he's checking the bus station and such places.
If anybody's to blame for all this, I think it's Jamie.
Leading his kind of life...
I guess you don't think too much about the consequences
of what you do.
[Jamie playing guitar]
* I was born in East Virginia *
* North Carolina I did roam *
* There I met *
* A fair pretty maiden *
* Her name and age *
* I do not know *
* Her hair it was of a brightsome color *
* And her lips of ruby red *
* On her breast she wore white lilies *
* There I longed to lay my head **
What was that for?
You've been everywhere, done so many things.
Just what I want. And you're so kind.
You made that picture so pretty
and you sang me your special song.
It was just a song.
You shouldn't have taken it for more than that.
I ran away from my family, you know. I left them.
So you'll be my family now. I'll be yours.
What do I need with a family?
I'll be anything you want me to be.
Go with you anywhere you want to go.
You can tag along as far as Virginia Beach.
But if I decide to go someplace else, or stop somewhere...
you're on your own. Understand?
But we're the same, you and me. We should be together.
You remember what I said?
That each day starts new?
I don't want any strings to my life. Not you, not anybody.
But I left home.
-Maybe you shouldn't have. -You could come and go.
I won't bother you.
Mary Ellen, will you stop trying to act grown up?
You're just a kid.
[dramatic music]
[music continues]
Sheriff and I looked all night, Liv.
There's just no sign of her.
You need some rest.
What we need is some daylight.
It's just an hour till dawn.
Why don't you rest till then?
Okay, now hush.
It's alright.
I think I have one.
What happened?
I made a fool of myself.
One thing I know about Mama and Daddy.
No matter what I do or what you do...
we can always go home.
-What time is it? -It's 5:30.
-Mary Ellen? -She's not back yet.
I'll fix you some breakfast.
There's no need, Livie. I just want some coffee.
Thank God, baby. Are you alright?
I don't know what came over me
but I ran away and I went to Jamie.
He wasn't all the way I thought he was
and I ran away from him... and John-Boy found me.
-John-Boy, thank you. -She was on her way back.
I'm really happy with the children I picked to have.
Hey, you all, come on down. See who came home for breakfast!
Almost got them.
That's why they call me "Speedy" Walton.
You pick them and we'll pack them.
Look at the size of that.
Mr. Pickett, here they are.
How about the ones on the far side?
Cleaned out.
Have to give credit where it's due.
I didn't think you'd make it.
Once we Waltons get started on something
there's no stopping us.
I guess you're right.
[instrumental music]
Here's the household money, Liv. You put that aside.
-I thought we'd never finish. -I did.
I don't think I could shake another hand
much less pick another apple.
I've seen enough apples for a while myself.
You did a good job.
Now we're gonna divide this bonus money up equally.
Now I can get my hat.
You all well deserve it, I'll tell you that.
I always knew you young'uns would be good for something.
-After all, I trained you. -You sure did, Grandpa.
They all eat like you.
The Waltons always had a reputation
for doing things second to none.
They come by it naturally.
My Grandpa Walton, he trained my pappy...
and my pappy trained me
and I've done likewise with you, John.
You didn't have a thing to do with it.
John's always been a hard-working boy.
It's natural inheritance like your red hair and freckles...
and big blue eyes.
$31.90.
Any of you scholars care to figure out
how much that is apiece?
How many ways to split it?
There were 11 in the family last time I counted, Erin.
-Do we all get the same? -That's what I promised.
You don't think that's fair?
We all didn't do the same work, Daddy.
That's true.
Grandma there, she didn't pick any apples...
but she did the chores and made meals for the rest of us.
And Elizabeth, she didn't pick quite as many apples as Jason.
But she did her best. We all did.
Well, Daddy, it's $2.90 apiece.
-$2 and.... -That's right!
Here you go, son. One, two...
ninety.
How are you gonna spend your share?
I don't know, but I'll think of something.
How come Mary Ellen isn't down here?
She's up in her room.
She said she's thinking. Just laying on her bed though.
She didn't do her fair share, Daddy.
That is true, Jason.
I said before some of us did different things...
we all worked as hard as we're able...
except Mary Ellen.
Maybe there's a lesson to be learned here.
If we do our share, we're honored in the effort.
But if we don't...
then we don't deserve to share in what the rest earned
Maybe that's true of Mary Ellen.
Daddy, can we take a vote on that?
What's a vote?
Daddy, I think you're wrong. I don't mean to sass you.
What do you mean?
I think we all share a lot of other things
besides work and money.
At least I think we ought to.
Daddy wants you downstairs right away.
I'm coming.
She's coming!
We've been counting up the bonus money from the apples.
-Where've you been? -Thinking.
We've got something new for you to think about.
I'd like to say something to all of you.
What is it?
I believe I caused you all a lot of pain, and I'm sorry for it.
I wanted to see and do things that I can't see or do here.
I still do.
But I love all of you, and I'm really sorry for what I did.
We love you, too, Mary Ellen.
I think we understand those feelings, honey.
Some of us have honest feelings like that
around here, too, sometimes.
What we've decided to do, each one of us...
is to throw part of our bonus money in...
and send you on a trip to Washington.
-D.C.! -You can see Mr. Roosevelt.
You're old enough to travel on the bus by yourself...
and you can stay with your Aunt Jessie.
Don't cry, Mary Ellen. I still have 70 cents left for gumdrops.
That's 140 gumdrops!
You're gonna have a toothache.
What are you going to do there?
My sister Mary Ellen went to Washington, D.C...
and she saw enough new things...
to satisfy her craving for adventure for a long time.
I looked at her with new eyes after that night...
because I realized she was no longer a child.
I grew up, too, of course, and left Walton's Mountain.
But the love and warmth I knew in that special family...
was like a pebble dropped in water that ripples
through my life to this day.
-Mama? -Yes, Jim-Bob?
Where do you reckon Mary Ellen is right this minute?
-Where do you think she is? -At the White House.
Having tea with Mrs. Roosevelt.
I'll bet she's having tea with Mr. Roosevelt.
Probably telling him how to run things.
In that case, t he country's in good hands.
-Good night, everybody. -Good night, Mama and Daddy.
In a moment, some scenes
from the next episode of The Waltons
[theme music]
[music continues]