"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]

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

• Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton
• Ralph Waite as John Walton, Sr.
• Michael Learned as Olivia Walton
• Ellen Corby as Ester Walton
• Will Geer as The Grandfather
• Judy Norton as Mary Ellen Walton
• Jon Walmsley as Jason Walton
• Mary Beth McDonough as Erin Walton
• Eric Scott as Ben Walton
• David W. Harper as Jim-Bob Walton
• Kami Cotler as Elizabeth Walton
• Mary Jackson as Emily Baldwin
• Helen Kleeb as Mamie Baldwin
• John Ritter as the Reverend Fordwick
• Joe Conley as Ike Godsey
• John Crawford as Sheriff Bridges
• Don Collier as Dr. Miller
• Victor Izay as Dr. Vance
• David Doremus as George William "GW" Haines
• Joseph Bernard as Snyder
• Ann Carol Pearson as Admissions Clerk
• Joe Frank Carollo as Tom
• Earl Hamner Jr. as The Narrator

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