The Vigil

As the residents of Walton's Mountain prepare for Mary Ellen's wedding to David Spencer, an attraction grows between her and the new doctor. Conclusion.

John-Boy launches his first major newspaper venture as editor and publisher of the Blue Ridge Chronicle, but in his search for the truth he may disgrace and divide his family.

Nursing student Mary Ellen makes a nearly fatal blunder when she misdiagnoses Grandma's illness.

Jason loses his musical scholarship because of the school's lack of money and takes a job playing music at a local roadhouse to pay his tuition. At the same time he helps a famous musician (MERLE HAGGARD) overcome the loss of his son.

John Walton's peace of mind is threatened when an internationally known evangelist comes to Walton Mountain to preach and lead a baptismal service.

John-Boy becomes the object of public indignation when he insists on printing excerpts from Hitler's Mein Kampf.

A mysterious presence moving through the night strikes fear in the hearts of the Walton's Mountain residents.

Mary Ellen announces her engagement to young David Spencer, and after the initial shock, the Waltons join with the entire community to make plans for the big event. Meanwhile, a new doctor comes to Walton's Mountain.

In a desperate attempt to save his newspaper from bankruptcy, John-Boy sells his meadow to a mining company--not realizing the company's plans will devastate the local area. Mary Ellen proves her worth as a nurse.

The youngest Walton boy, Jim-Bob, takes his first step into the world when he enters a race, riding Ike's motorcycle. Ike and Corabeth adopt a little girl.

The oldest living Walton, Aunt Martha Corrine, disrupts the family member's lives when she comes for an extended visit--until they realize that she is dying, and then they make her last days special.

With the Walton children growing up, this may be the last Christmas that the entire family can spend together. The family plans a special celebration for Olivia, but a series of disasters keeps everyone away from home. Instead of becoming upset, Olivia feels proud of how her children respond to help her community when they are needed.

The Waltons struggle to maintain the integrity of a local public office and to safeguard the freedom of the last local mustang.

Feeling frustrated with her life, Olivia desires a change. When John orders her not to change her hairstyle, she goes to Corabeth for a permanent. But the results are so bad that she is embarrassed to show herself. Grandma becomes upset when she is asked to share her duty as church organist.

The specter of a frightening but unremembered childhood experience haunts young Elizabeth's nights and troubles the entire household. Ben worries that he is too short.

Both Erin and Jason learn lessons about growing up, as Erin tries to elope with Chad Marshall and Jason takes over the store while Ike is away.

Due to the breakdown of the mill and mounting bills, John takes an office job in Charlottesville.

For Erin Walton, graduation day from high school, which is an event that most people regard with great pleasure, seems to be the most painful day of her life.

Before she fell ill, Grandma Walton had suggested that John-Boy publish the first commemorative Blue Ridge Chronicle to mark the day that the Jefferson County Doughboys returned from the war. Now he has decided to create a memorial of which she would be honored, but the town's decorated hero, Sheriff Bridges, shows little interest.

John-Boy is deeply affected when he witnesses the crash of the Hindenburg. Curt tries to find a way to be alone with Mary Ellen.

Jason Walton learns that love can be one of life's most painful experiences.

With Grandma in the hospital, Grandpa feels alone and unneeded, a feeling he shares with Aimee Goodsey, and the two become close as their friendship helps ease their loneliness.

The Baldwins' niece Hilary arrives, seeking a hiding place from the horrors of the war breaking out in her native Austria. Meanwhile, Jason joins the National Guard.

Ben's tactics for selling used cars alienate both family and friends.

When six weeks pass with no word from the publisher about his novel, John-Boy travels to New York and to a turning point in his personal and professional life.