The Waltons The Air Mail Man

(John-Boy) T HE PEACE AND BEAUTY OF THE LAND AND SKY AROUND WALTON'S MOUNTAIN WAS A SOURCE OF CONSTANT COMFORT TO ALL OF US DURING THOSE DIFFICULT DEPRESSION YEARS. SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE GOING ON IN THE WORLD DID EVENTUALLY REFLECT THEMSELVES ON OUR MOUNTAIN LIKE THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF AIRPLANES THAT SPOTTED THE SKY. IN PARTICULAR, I REMEMBER AN AIRMAIL PLANE THAT USED OUR MOUNTAIN AS A LANDMARK. MY MOTHER ESPECIALLY LIKED TO WAIT FOR THE PLANE TO GO OVER AND SOMETIMES WATCHING, SHE'D GET THE LOOK ON HER FACE PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY WATCH WILD GEESE WINGING THEIR WAY SOUTH TO WARM SUNNY DAYS. WISH YOU TWO WOULD HURRY UP, YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF STARVING MEN HERE. AND STARVING LADIES! YOU'RE NOT A LADY. WHAT AM I? YOU'RE JUST A LITTLE GIRL. WELL, STAY THAT WAY AS LONG AS YOU CAN 'CAUSE WHEN YOU GET TO BE MY AGE, IT'S NOTHING BUT WORK AND WORRY. I WOULD PREFER A LITTLE LESS PHILOSOPHY AND MORE FOOD THIS P.M. THANKS. YOU COULD HELP, YOU KNOW. (Erin) WELL, IT'S NOT MY TURN. WELL, I'LL HELP YOU ANYWAY, THEN. GEE, THANKS. YOU'RE WELCOME. OH, HAVE YOU KIDS GOT YOUR MONEY SAVED UP FOR MAMA'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT? IT'S NOT MUCH. 8 CENTS. HOW ABOUT YOU, JIM-BOB? IT'S UPSTAIRS. I'LL COUNT IT LATER. (John-Boy) OH, ALL RIGHT. YOUR SUPPER, SIR. YOU'RE WELCOME. WIFE IS WELL, IF YOU DON'T LEARN TO BE MORE PLEASANT, YOU WON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM TO WORRY ABOUT. ONCE YOU FIND YOUR TRUE LOVE, YOU'LL BE PLENTY WILLIN' TO DO FOR HIM JUST LIKE WHEN YOUR GRANDMA FOUND ME. WELL, I'M GOING TO HAVE A WHOLE OTHER LIFE. FULL OF GLAMOUR. I HEARD THAT. WELL, I HOPE WE DON'T ALL STARVE TO DEATH BEFORE WE GET TO SEE THAT GLAMOUR OF YOURS. I THINK I UNDERSTAND MEN A LOT BETTER THAN MARY ELLEN DOES. YOU'RE A BORN SLAVE, ERIN. WILL YOU TWO STOP PICKIN' ON EACH OTHER AND LET'S EAT? YUP. I SURE WISH YOUR MAMA WOULD COME IN. SHE'S OUT LOOKIN' AT THE AIRPLANE. GOOD LORD, YOU'D THINK SHE NEVER SAW AN AIRPLANE BEFORE IN HER LIFE. WHENEVER THERE'S ANYTHING UP IN THE SKY, IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTIN'. LAST WEEK AND A HALF, YOU'D THINK THAT PLANE JOHN-BOY, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH? (John-Boy) ENOUGH WHAT, HONEY? ENOUGH MONEY FOR MAMA'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT. WELL, WITH JIM-BOB'S SAVINGS INCLUDED, S, WE'LL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO BUY HER SOME NICE CHOCOLATE AND MAKE HER A GOOD CAKE. AND SOME CANDLES. (John-Boy) YOU GOT THAT MUCH, DO YOU? MM-HMM. HOW MANY DO WE NEED? WELL, I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH YOUR MAMA'S LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BIRTHDAY. WHY DON'T WE PUT ON ABOUT 12? YEAH. WELL, THIS FOOD WILL TASTE LIKE IT'S 12 YEARS OLD IS SHE DON'T COME IN HERE. JOHN-BOY, WILL YOU TELL YOUR MAMA THE FOOD'S GETTIN' COLD? YEAH. I SLAVE AWAY ALL DAY AND THERE'S NOBODY HERE TO APPRECIATE IT. OH. (Jim-Bob) DID YOU GET MAMA A PRESENT? I SURE DID. WHAT IS IT? A SURPRISE. IT'S SOMETHIN' I MADE FOR HER MYSELF. [airplane approaching] IT'S LATE TONIGHT. NEVER BEEN L ALWAYS LIKE CLOCKWORK. GOTTEN TO BE A REGULAR PART OF YOUR DAY HERE. DOESN'T IT SEEM MARVELOUS TO YOU, TO BE WAVED AT FROM AN AIRPLANE? YEAH. BRINGS THE SKY DOWN CLOSE TO YOU, DOESN'T IT? [airplane droning] THERE THERE HE GOES. YOU THINK I'M BEIN' SILLY, JOHN-BOY? NO, I DON'T. THINK SHE'LL LIKE IT, JASON? IF SHE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. SHUT UP, BEN. WHAT ABOUT THE COLOR? DON'T WORRY. SHE'LL LOVE IT. HEY, QUIET. [crockery cluttering] SORRY I'M LATE. MAYBE SOMEDAY WHEN I GROW UP, I'LL BE ANOTHER AMELIA EARHART. MAYBE THAT'S WHO I'LL BE WHEN I GROW UP. WELL, I'VE BEEN TOO BUSY TO THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS. GUESS I HAVE, TOO, GRANDMA. [airplane droning] DID [airplane engine sputtering] JOHN, LISTEN. SOMETHING'S WRONG. WHERE IS HE? I DON'T KNOW, BUT HE'S IN TROUBLE, ISN'T HE? SOUNDS LIKE HE'S CIRCLIN' BACK. THERE HE IS. RIGHT THERE. (John-Boy) SEE? [airplane engine sputtering] (John) HE'S TOO LOW! HE'S GOING TO LAND IN THE PASTURE ROAD. HE'S TRYIN' TO LAND IN THE PASTURE. (Olivia) HE'S GOING TO CRASH. GET THE TRUCK! TURN IT AROUND, PUT THE LIGHTS ON THE END OF THE PASTURE. GET THOSE LAMPS, ALL OF YOU! [all shouting] (John) GET THOSE LAMPS! (John) COME ON! [John-Boy whooping] [airplane engine faltering] (John) HOLD IT! HOLD IT RIGHT HERE. ALL RIGHT. HERE, HERE, QUICK! DO IT. (Jason) K, GO. (Mary Ellen) HE'S TAKIN' IT APART. (John) HERE YOU GO. GOT THAT ONE? GO! (John-Boy) OK, COME ON. (John) YOU TWO GO DOWN TO THE END. (Grandpa) HE'S WAY DOWN THERE NOW. [engine sputtering] [engine stopping] WAIT A MINUTE. (John) EASY, EASY. [all chattering] (Olivia) ELIZABETH. [exhales loudly] [crickets chirping] YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT. THAT'S THE TRICKIEST LANDING I'VE EVER MADE. WE-WELL, YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AT ALL, YOUNG MAN. HERE, EASY. EASY NOW. EASY. EASY, LAD. [pilot grunting] [metal clanging] (pilot) A BROKEN OIL LINE. SPATTERED OIL ALL OVER THE MAGNETO. [sniffs] AND I GOT A GASOLINE LEAK. MAYBE THINGS WILL LOOK BETTER IN THE MORNING. WHY DON'T YOU COME UP TO THE HOUSE WITH US? WELL, THAT MAKES SENSE. [sniffs] I SO APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. MY NAME'S COOPER, TODD COOPER. JOHN WALTON. (Todd) MR. WALTON, I'LL NEED TO USE YOUR PHONE TO CALL ATLANTA, WELL, WE DON'T HAVE A PHONE, BUT WE CAN GET YOU TO ONE. OK. [exhales] OH, UH, SOMEONE HERE AND I ARE ALREADY FRIENDS. IT'S MAMA. SHE WAITS FOR YOU EVERY NIGHT. I NEVER EXPECTED YOU TO FALL OUT OF THE SKY. I NEVER EXPECTED ANYONE QUITE SO BEAUTIFUL. WOULD YOU, UH, KIDS LIKE TO GIVE ME A HAND? CAN'T LEAVE THE MAIL UNGUARDED. (Erin) SURE. (Todd) HERE YOU GO. THAT'S ONE. (Erin) BEN, I WISH YOU'D GIVE ME ONE! (Ben) THEY'RE TOO HEAVY FOR YOU. THEY ARE NOT! (John) ALL RIGHT, YOU TWO. THAT'S ENOUGH. THIS HERE IS A STEARMAN, JUST LIKE MY MODEL, ISN'T IT? YEAH. [grunts] HEY, CHAMP. TAKE IT EASY. . AND WHEN THAT ENGINE I KNEW I HAD TO COME DOWN AND I REMEMBERED JUST LIKE LINDBERGH. THAT WAS A MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF FLYING ABILITY, YOUNG MAN. YEAH. WELL, IF I CAN'T TAKE OFF IN THE MORNING, I'M GONNA HAVE TO TRUCK THOSE POUCHES DOWN TO THE TRAIN. WHERE IS THE NEAREST TRAIN STOP? (John) ROCKFISH. ABOUT 6 MILES FROM HERE. THAT WAS MY LAST FLIGHT. WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE GOTTEN IT THROUGH ON TIME. CHANGIN' JOBS? YEP. GOING ON TO A MORE EXCITING KIND OF FLYIN'. MORE EXCITING THAN FLYING THE MAIL? OH, BARNSTORMING, AIR SHOWS, RACING, REAL KIND OF FLYING. HAULIN' THE MAIL, WELL, THAT KIND OF GETS TO BE KIND OF LIKE DRIVING A TRUCK AFTER A WHILE. UP FOR A FLYING CIRCUS IN THESE TIMES? PROBABLY PAYS MORE THAN CHOPPIN' WOOD, MA. COURSE, THERE'S DAYS WE CAN'T FLY. R. F L I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT MUST BE LIKE. YEAH. IT GETS TO BE PRETTY EXCITING AT FIRST, THEN AFTER A WHILE, FLYING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND ATLANTA, GETS KIND OF DULL. SURE. MR. COOPER, WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME? WELL, IT USED TO BE WASHINGTON, D.C. BUT FROM NOW ON, IT'S GOING TO BE THE BACK SEAT OF AN AIRPLANE. NG AN AIR SHOW MUST BE KIND OF *** YOUR FAMILY WITH YOU STREAKIN' THROUGH THE SKY ALL THE TIME. WELL, I'M A LONER, MRS. WALTON. NO FAMILY TO SPEAK OF. IF I COULD TROUBLE YOU FOR A RIDE DOWN TO THAT TELEPHONE, MR. WALTON? I HAVE A LITTLE WORK TO FINISH UP. JOHN-BOY, TAKE MR. COOPER DOWN TO IKE'S, WILL YOU. OH, YEAH, SURE. COULD I GO? WE COULD TALK ABOUT FLYING. NOUGH PROMISE? I PROMISE. AFTER I FIX THE PLANE, IF THERE'S TIME. DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH OF A PROMISE TO ME. YES, INDEED. IT DOES SEEM THAT YOUNG MAN HAS SOMETHING ELSE ON HIS MIND. WELL, THAT'S NO EXCUSE FOR HURTIN' A CHILD'S FEELINGS. JOHN-BOY. HERE'S MINE FOR MAMA'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT. DON'T TELL ANYONE. NOT A WORD. DON'T LOSE IT. (John-Boy) I PROMISE. (Todd) LET'S GO! (John-Boy) YOU MUST GET TO SEE A LOT OF THE COUNTRY. I DO. BUT FLYING'S CHANGING. 5 YEARS AGO, WE HAD HARDLY ANY INSTRUMENTS. NOW THERE'S EVEN TALK ABOUT PUTTING RADIOS IN THE MAIL PLANES. (John-Boy) MUST BE GETTING A LOT SAFER THOUGH. SAFER, YEAH. BUT THE FUN'S GOING OUT OF FLYING FAST. RULES... YOU MEAN IT'S GETTING JUST LIKE ANY OTHER JOB, HUH? SAME THING EVERYDAY. YEAH. THAT AND OTHER THINGS. AVIATION'S SETTLIN' DOWN. GROWING UP. GETTING ESTABLISHED, YOU MIGHT SAY. I GUESS THAT'S WHY YOU WANT TO GO BARNSTORMING, HUH? HOW FAR TO THAT TELEPHONE NOW? ALMOST THERE. [knocking on door] (John-Boy) HERE YOU GO. (Ike) NO, IT'S ON ME. UH, IT'S A GIFT TO YOUR MOM. NO, THIS'LL BE HE CHILDREN'S GIFT TO THEIR MOTHER. THANK YOU, IKE. YEAH. I GUESS I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING HERE THOUGH THAT I CAN GIVE TO OLIVIA. (Todd) AND, OPERATOR, IF ANYONE TRIES TO REACH ME, TELL THEM I'LL BE FLYING OUT EARLY. NO, I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER WHERE I CAN BE REACHED. THANK YOU. OH, THANKS. OH, I BET OLIVIA WOULD LIKE THIS. HUH? OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. REAL TORTOISE SHELL. I GAVE ONE OF THOSE TO MY... TO A GIRLFRIEND ONCE. THAT'S REALLY TOO MUCH, IKE. THANK YOU, ANYWAY. LIKE I ALWAYS SAY, THE ONLY THING THAT EXCEEDS MY INCOME FROM THIS STORE IS MY GENEROSITY. NOW YOU TAKE IT AND WISH OLIVIA A HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SHE'LL REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, IKE. GOOD NIGHT. THANKS FOR THE USE OF YOUR TELEPHONE, MR. GODSEY. (Todd) GOOD NIGHT. [saw buzzing] [saw stops] [crickets chirping] TIME TO CALL IT A DAY, GRANDPA. MY BONES HAVE JUST BEEN TELLIN' ME THE SAME THING. YOUR BONES SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT AN HOUR AGO. COME ON. YOU'RE RIGHT, MA, I'M DEAD TIRED. (Grandpa) ME, TOO. YEAH. YOU. JOHN-BOY, YOU WANT TO GET HIM SOME QUILTS YEAH, SURE. OH, UH, IF YOU PEOPLE WOULDN'T MIND SETTING YOUR ALARM KIND OF EARLY, I'D LIKE TO GET THAT PLANE IN THE AIR AS SOON AS IT'S LIGHT. WE GET UP EARLY ARO WE'LL GET YOU STARTED. THANK YOU. GOOD NIGHT. (all) NIGHT. SOMETHIN' WRONG, MA? I'M UNEASY. ANY REASON? GOT A FEELING ABOUT THAT YOUNG MAN. I THINK HE'S HIDING SOMETHING. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIV. COME ON. PERK UP. IT'S A DAY FOR CELEBRATING. I DON'T FEEL RIGHT, JOHN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M SUPPOSED TO. YOU SOUND A LITTLE BIT LIKE JIM-BOB. JUST FEEL SO UN-UNSETTLED. FRIGHTENED. I FEEL LIKE I'VE LOST MYSELF. LIV, HONEY, YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO LET A BIRTHDAY LIKE THIS UPSET YOU. IT'S NOT MY BIRTHDAY, JOHN, IT'S MY LIFE. WHAT WOULD I BE IF I DIDN'T HAVE YOU, THE CHILDREN AND THIS HOUSE TO TELL ME WHO I AM? WITHOUT ALL OF YOU, I WOULDN'T BE ANYTHING. DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ME, I DON'T WHAT I' YOU ARE UPSET, AREN'T YOU, HONEY? [sighs] I JUST FEEL SO DULL, SHABBY, AND TIRED. I FEEL LIKE... [sighs] AGE HAS TAKEN AWAY MY SPIRIT. LIV, LIV, LIV. I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN. BUT WE GOT A LOT OF KIDS WHO DID A LOT OF PLANNIN' FOR THIS DAY. DE. LORD. GIVE ME A MINUTE TO PULL MYSELF TOGETHER. (Mary Ellen) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! [knocking on door] (all) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA. HERE YOU GO, MA. SEE YOU CAN BE A LADY OF LEISURE. HEY, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO STAY IN BED. AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANY CHORES. AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT NO WORK OR ANYTHING. ? SIT BACK AND ENJOY YOURSELVES. (Mary Ellen) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA. [all giggling] COME ON, WE GOTTA GET TO WORK. COME ON. (all) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! THE REAL SURPRISES ARE FOR LATER. AND MORE. WELL, I THINK I'LL GET ME SOME BREAKFAST. OH, STAY AND HAVE SOME OF THIS. RMY. WOULDN'T BE FAIR, LIV. THEY MADE IT FOR YOU. BESIDES I HAVE TO GET YOUR PRESENT READY. [birds chirping] MORNIN'. THINK WE'LL GET HER TO FLY? DOESN'T MUCH LOOK LIKE IT. MORNIN'. HOW'S IT GOIN'? I THINK I'M GROUNDED. I'D BE MUCH OBLIGED IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A HAND TRUCKIN' THOSE MAIL BAGS DOWN TO THE TRAIN. , YOU COULD BEAT THAT TRAIN TO ATLANTA. MAYBE. BUT I STILL NEED IGNITION WIRE AND COPPER TUBING FOR THAT BROKEN LINE. (Todd) ALL THAT TAKES TIME. WELL, WE COULD ORDER YOUR STUFF FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE, HAVE IT DELIVERED TO IKE GODSEY, AND YOU CAN PICK IT UP RIGHT THERE. (John) ABOUT 3 OR 4 HOURS. (John-Boy) MR. COOPER, IF YOU'D LIKE, WE'LL HELP YOU FIX YOUR PLANE. IT'D BE FUN. A LOT OF FREE LABOR HERE. WILLING TO WORK. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GIVE IT A TRY. THE OVEN GRANDMA, HOW MUCH BAKING POWDER? JUST FOLLOW THE RECIPE. I ALREADY PUT IN THE BAKING POWDER. E CHOCOLATE. ATE'S NOW YOU GIRLS BE CAREFUL. YOU GET THE INGREDIENTS ALL MIXED UP AND--AND YOU'LL JUST WASTE 'EM, AND WE WON'T HAVE ANY CAKE AT ALL. OH, DID I PUT IN THE BAKING POWDER OR A PINCH OF SALT? OH, GOOD LORD! STOP IT. LET ME TASTE. SALT. WHERE'S THE BAKING SODA? ALL RIGHT, SON, NOW PUT IT DIRECTLY UNDER THE AXLE. RIGHT IN THE CENTER. GOT IT? WATCH YOUR FINGERS. (Ben) LOWER. EASY. THAT'S IT. (John) GIVE ME THE LUG WRENCH THERE, JIM-BOB. (Jim-Bob) HERE YOU ARE, DADDY. YOU PEOPLE SURE KNOW HOW TO WORK TOGETHER. YEAH. UP HERE YOU HAVE TO. HERE. PUT THIS BACK IN, WILL YOU? CAN'T TAKE A CHANCE ON LOSING ONE OF 'EM. HOW'S IT GOING DOWN THERE? (John) WE'RE GETTIN' THERE, SON. ERIN, WE CAN'T BOTH PUT THEM ON... (Erin) OK. NOW YOU GIRLS KEEP FROM SLAMMING DOORS AND STOMPIN' YOUR FEET. WE'LL HAVE A CAKE THAT'LL MAKE YOUR MAMA WANT THAT BIRTHDAY. WHO WOULDN'T WANT A BIRTHDAY? THAT. NOW, LET'S CLEAN UP THIS MESS. GRANDMA, I WASH EVERYDAY! MARY ELLEN, YOU WASH. ERIN, YOU DRY AND ELIZABETH, YOU TAKE THE THINGS OVER TO THE... UH, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIV. THANK YOU. THAT WAS JUST DELICIOUS. THANK YOU. WELL, I GUESS I'LL JUST GO FOR A LITTLE WALK. HAVE A NICE WALK, MAMA. [all exhaling] SORRY TO BE KEEPING YOU AWAY FROM YOUR WORK, MR. WALTON. SO AM I, BUT WITH THIS CREW HELPING, WE'LL CATCH YOU UP QUICK. WHAT EXACTLY IS IT YOU DO HERE? I SUPPLY LUMBER TO A FEW CUSTOMERS. CUT RAILROAD TIES, PULP TO THE PAPER FACTORY, AND CUT FIRE WOOD. A LIVIN'? WE GET BY. ANYBODY BEEN AROUND ASKIN' ABOUT THE PLANE? NOBODY EXPECTIN' SOMEONE? NOT EXACTLY. GUESS WHILE THAT WHEEL'S OFF, I MIGHT AS WELL SMEAR SOME GREASE ON THE AXLE. THAT'S IT. THERE IT IS, RIGHT THERE. HOLD YOU FINGER. (Ben) JIM-BOB, GET THE PATCH KIT. COME ON. MORNIN'. JUST THINK, FEW HOURS YOU'LL BE UP THERE FLYING ALONG AS FREE AS A BIRD. [Todd chuckling] I HOPE SO, MRS. WALTON. WHAT'S IT LIKE? IT'S A FEELIN' OF BELONGING UP THERE. . THERE'S WIND CURRENTS UP THERE. BEST WHEN YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM. SOMETIMES YOU CAN FEEL THE AIR RISING SO STRONG, IT PUSHES YOU SKYWARD. YOU GET TO SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, AND IT JUST CARRIES YOU UP. (Todd) IT'S LIKE... IT'S LIKE WHEN YOU SEE A HAWK SOARING ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. HOW DID YOU GET TO BE A FLIER? UH, POP WAS AN AVIATOR IN THE WAR. FIRED UP. LATER ON, HE TOOK ME UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. I LOVED IT THEN AND I HAVEN'T STOPPED. I GUESS FLYING SEEMS GLAMOROUS. BUT EVERYBODY'S FLYING THESE DAYS. I ONCE TAUGHT A GIRL HOW TO FLY. SHE WAS DOING REAL WELL. (John-Boy) YUP. ONE WHEEL COMIN' UP. (Todd) HEY, JOHN-BOY, I, UH, I LEFT A IN MY FLIGHT PACK. IT'S IN THE BARN. . THANKS. [birds chirping] DADDY, LOOK AT THIS. WHERE'D YOU FIND THAT? IT FELL OUT OF HIS FLIGHT BAG WHILE I WAS GETTIN' HIM SOME SAFETY WIRE. LOOKS LIKE MRS. COOPER. YEAH, HE SAID HE WASN'T MARRIED, THOUGH. WER. A MAN WOULDN'T HESITATE TO ADMIT THAT, WOULD HE? WHAT A MAN WANTS TO ADMIT IS HIS BUSINESS. THE FLYING COOPERS. ISN'T THAT SOMETHIN'? PUT IT AWAY, SON. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S ANY OF OUR BUSINESS. AND LOOK WHAT I MADE YOUR MOTHER. OH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. SHE'S GONNA LOVE THAT. YOU MADE THAT? I HOPE SO. YOU GOT SOMETHING FOR HER, SON? I'LL TELL YOU, DADDY, I THOUGHT I DID, BUT... THIS IS A DIFFICULT YEAR. I DON'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO GET HER THIS YEAR. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. HELP ME WITH THIS, WILL YOU? H EASY NOW. THUNDERHEADS ARE BUILDIN' UP OVER THE MOUNTAIN BUT IT SHOULD BE CLEAR OVER ATLANTA. WHAT'S IT LIKE FLYING THROUGH CLOUDS? SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE ON TOP OF A CLOUD, YOU LOOK DOWN, THEY LOOK SO SOLID LIKE YOU COULD STEP RIGHT OUT AND TAKE A WALK ON 'EM. [exclaiming] (Todd) AND SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES YOU... YOU SEE SHAPES THAT LOOK LIKE ANIMALS. I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT JUST ONCE. D LOVE IT. I'M GONNA MISS WAITIN' FOR YOU TO FLY OVER EVERY NIGHT. OH, I'LL COME BY AGAIN. I'LL BUZZ THE HOUSE AND DO A LOOP-THE-LOOP SO YOU'LL KNOW IT'S ME. [Olivia laughing] THAT'LL GIVE ME SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. (Todd) YEAH. [airplane engine whirring] (John-Boy) HOW'S THE WEATHER UP THERE? GLORIOUS. I COULD STAY UP HERE FOREVER. T ARE WE POOR GOING TO DO IN THE MEANWHILE? HELP ME DOWN FROM HERE. I'M SORRY. YOU KNOW, I RECALL THERE WAS A MAN DOWN IN CHARLOTTESVILLE. ONE TIME HE HAD ONE OF THESE THINGS. HE WAS CHARGING $5 FOR A 5-MINUTE RIDE. IT'D BE WORTH IT. OH, WELL, MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD'VE GOT YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR. I WISH I'D THOUGHT OF IT SOONER. KEEP IT IN MIND FOR NEXT YEAR. ALL RIGHT. (Jim-Bob) WHAT DO YOU THINK, MR. COOPER? IT'S A GOOD JOB. DO THIS ALL BY YOURSELF? MY BROTHERS HELPED ME. YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS REALLY GET ALONG PRETTY WELL, DON'T YOU? MOST OF THE TIME. DO YOU HAVE ANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS? NO. IS THAT WHY YOU DON'T LIKE CHILDREN? WHO SAYS I DON'T LIKE CHILDREN? YOU SURE DON'T ACT LIKE IT. I GUESS I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A KID. YOU MUST HAVE BEEN ONE SOMETIME. I'VE FORGOTTEN. IT'S A MESS. EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH TURNS OVER. EVERYBODY HOLLERS AT YOU. YOU DON'T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO HOLLER BACK. EVERYBODY BLAMES YOU FOR EVERYTHING, EVEN WHEN YOU DIDN'T DO IT. I THINK IT'S BEGINNING TO COME BACK TO ME NOW. IT'S JUST TERRIBLE. COME ON. (Todd) WHAT ARE YOU SHARPENIN' IT ON? A STONE? UH-HUH. IN'? THOSE PARTS HAVE HAD O GET HERE YET? OH, I'LL GO FIND OUT AT THE STORE RIGHT NOW. AND I NEED SOME GAS. OK, ANYONE WANT TO COME WITH ME? I'LL COME WITH YOU. HERE, YOU CAN DO IT. JOHN, YOU THINK YOU COULD DO WITHOUT ME FOR A LITTLE WHILE? NO. TRY. [door chimes tinkling] HANK? (Ike) THEY'RE RIGHT HERE, MR. WALTON. GOOD. OH, HEY, UH HOW DID, UH, OLIVIA LIKE HER COMB? T. SOMEBODY CALLED HERE ASKING ABOUT THAT AIRMAIL PILOT. TH-THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS AROUND HERE AND, UH, THEY DIDN'T LEAVE ANY MESSAGE. [car honking] CITY FOLK. THEY'RE ALWAYS IN A HURRY. ALL RIGHT. [door chimes tinkling] GRANDPA, WHO? (John-Boy) THAT'S TODD COOPER'S WIFE. THAT'S MRS. COOPER. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TELL HER? YEAH. OH, NO. THAT'S STILL UP AT THE WALTON PLACE, MA'AM. HOW DO I GET THERE? WELL, IT JUST SO HAPPENS MR. WALTON'S IN THE STORE RIGHT NOW. I BET IF YOU ASK HIM, HE'D, UH, SHOW YOU THE WAY. MR. WALTON? (Elizabeth) COMPANY'S COMING! (Grandpa) WELCOME. LIVIE, THIS IS MRS. COOPER. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, OLIVIA WALTON. HELLO. SUE COOPER. THIS IS MY FAVORITE WIFE, ESTHER WALTON. (Sue) HOW DO YOU DO? FINE, THANK YOU. WELL, I GUESS I BETTER GO TELL MR. COOPER YOU'RE HERE. IS HE ALL RIGHT? (Olivia) FINE. THE DISPATCHER SAID HE'D HAD AN EMERGENCY LANDING. (Olivia) OH UH, THANK YOU. (Todd) I SHOULD BE OUT OF HERE IN 10 MINUTES. [Todd laughing] SWELL. H. YOUR WIFE IS UP AT THE HOUSE. (John-Boy) SO, I'LL SEE YOU. I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER, JOHN-BOY. TRACKED YOU DOWN ALL THE WAY FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. YOU GOT ANY IDEA WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE TRACKED DOWN? NO. BUT I RECKON IT MUST FEEL PRETTY AWFUL. I THOUGHT WE'D ARGUED THIS WHOLE THING OUT. I THOUGHT OF SOME MORE ARGUMENTS. WHY DID YOU FOLLOW ME? WELL, YOU WERE SO ANGRY WHEN YOU LEFT. I THOUGHT IF WE COULD JUST TALK AND NOT BE ANGRY WITH EACH OTHER-- I SAID EVERYTHING I HAD TO SAY. WE WON'T TIE YOU DOWN, TODD. THE BABY AND I. LOOK, WE'LL MAKE SOME KIND OF HOME BASE. AND WHEN WE CAN BE TOGETHER, WE WILL. THAT WOULDN'T BE FAIR TO YOU. TODD, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN INDEPENDENT PEOPLE. THE BABY DOESN'T HAVE TO CHANGE THAT. [Sue sobbing] SUE. A CLEAN BREAK IS THE ONLY WAY. SON IF I WAS GROUNDED. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT YOU'D LIKE THAT KIND OF PERSON. AND I KNOW I WOULDN'T. WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT GROUNDING YOU? HMM? LOOK, ALL I'M ASKING IS TO KEEP OUR MARRIAGE AND TO GIVE THIS CHILD A MOTHER AND A FATHER. HE NEEDS BOTH OF US, TODD. CAN'T YOU GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD? I WANT TO BE FREE. [sniffling] DON'T YOU CARE WHETHER IT'S A BOY OR A GIRL? DON'T YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT COLOR HAIR IT HAS? OR WHETHER IT'S GOT YOUR NOSE OR MY EYES OR THE RIGHT NUMBER OF TOES? TODD COOPER. BUT THAT LIFE BELONGS TO YOU, TOO. (John) ALL SET TO GO? YEAH. THANKS TO YOU FOLKS. [sighs] LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, MR. WALTON. SURE. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED? PRETTY SOON IT'LL BE 20 YEARS. YOU EVER GET THE FEELING YOU WERE... TRAPPED? I KNOW A LOT OF FELLOWS FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT MARRIAGE. BUT I NEVER HAVE. WELL, MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHIN' WRONG WITH ME. HOW'S THAT? I DON'T FEEL THE WAY I'M SUPPOSED TO ABOUT THAT BABY. HOW DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO FEEL? WHATEVER IT IS YOU SHARE WITH THOSE KIDS OF YOURS. I'VE NEVER BEEN AROUND FAMILIES MUCH. BUT BEING HERE HAS PROVED TO ME I DON'T FEEL WHAT A FATHER FEELS. WITH SUE IT'S DIFFERENT. SHE LOVES THAT BABY. I DON'T FEEL ANYTHING BUT TRAPPED. NOW THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH FEELING TRAPPED. I MUST HAVE FELT THAT WAY A FEW TIMES, WAY BACK. YOU HOLD ONE OF YOUR BABIES IN YOUR ARMS AND DIAPER IT FOR A WHILE, YOU BEGIN TO FEEL DIFFERENT. WELL, I SURE DON'T PICTURE MYSELF DOING THAT. YOU GET USED TO IT. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO, MR. WALTON? IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT MOST PEOPLE END UP DOING PRETTY MUCH WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. WHAT DO YOU MEAN? OUT THERE IS ALL READY TO GO, JUST WAITING FOR YOU. HERE YOU ARE, TALKING ABOUT HER. YEAH. WELL, I REALLY DO LOVE HER. DO YOU? YEAH. UR HOUSE? WAS WHEN I LEFT. YEAH. [birds chirping] [door creaking] MAMA? WELL, THANK GOODNESS SOMEONE'S COME TO KEEP ME COMPANY. I HAVE SOMETHIN' FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY FOR YOU. UH... I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO GIVE YOU. IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT THIS YEAR. I THOUGHT I KNEW WHAT I WAS GONNA GIVE YOU BUT THAT DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT. BUT I WAS READIN' THIS MORNIN' AND I FOUND A POEM IN HERE BY A MAN NAMED GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS. AND I'D LIKE TO READ IT TO YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY. HERE IT IS. IT'S CALLED THE WINDHOVER. THAT'S A BIRD. "I CAUGHT THIS MORNING MORNING'S MINION "KINGDOM OF DAYLIGHT'S DAUPHIN "DAPPLE-DAWN-DRAWN FALCON, IN HIS RIDING "OF THE ROLLING LEVEL "UNDERNEATH HIM STEADY AIR, "AND STRIDING HIGH THERE, "HOW HE RUNG UPON THE REIN OF A WIMPLING WING "IN HIS ECSTASY! "THEN OFF, OFF FORTH ON SWING "AS A SKATE'S HEEL SWEEPS SMOOTH "ON A BOW-BEND: "THE HURL AND GLIDING REBUFFED THE BIG WIND. "MY HEART IN HIDING STIRRED FOR A BIRD "THE ACHIEVE OF, THE MASTERY OF THE THING! "BRUTE BEAUTY AND VALOR AND ACT PLUME, "AND THE FIRE THAT BREAKS FROM THEE THEN, "A BILLION TIMES TOLD LOVELIER, "MORE DANGEROUS O MY CHEVALIER! "NO WONDER OF IT, "SHEER PLOD MAKES PLOW DOWN SILLION SHINE, "AND BLUE-BLEAK EMBERS, AH MY DEAR, FALL, GALL THEMSELVES AND GASH GOLD-VERMILLION" JOHN-BOY, THOSE WORDS WERE JUST LIKE LI I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POEM MEANT BUT I THINK THOSE ARE JUST ABOUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS I EVER HEARD. WELL, I THINK THE POEM HAS A MEANING. UH, TO ME, IT MEANS THAT SOME THINGS WHICH MAY SEEM TOO SIMPLE OR UNIMPORTANT IGHT PLAIN, THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AND EVERY BIT AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THINGS IN THE WHOLE WORLD. THANK YOU, JOHN-BOY. Y. THERE WAS A... THERE WAS A LINE IN THERE. SOMETHING ABOUT MY HEART... "MY HEART IN HIDING STIRRED" (Jim-Bob) MAMA, YOUR BIRTHDAY'S READY IF YOU WANT IT. [laughs] COME ON! AT JIM-BOB. [Olivia laughing] [all exclaiming] OH, LIVIE. OH, ELIZABETH. THAT'S JUST GORGEOUS. OK. HERE IT IS, MAMA. ♪ DEAR MAMA, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ IT'S A SPECIAL DAY FOR YOU ♪ ♪ WE HOPE YOUR DAY IS HAPPY ♪ ♪ AND YOUR WISHES ALL COME TRUE ♪ ♪ WE THINK THAT YOU'RE THE GREATEST ♪ ♪ IN EVERY LITTLE WAY ♪ ♪ THAT'S WHY I SING ♪ ON THIS, YOUR SPECIAL DAY ♪♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY! THANK YOU. DID YOU WRITE THAT YOURSELF? SURE DID, MAMA. OH, IT'S LOVELY. THANK YOU. (Olivia) THANK YOU. WELL, WELCOME BACK. IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK, GRANDMA. (children) MAKE A WISH. MAKE A WISH! ALL RIGHT. UM... [all chattering] WHAT WAS THE WISH? OH, I'M NOT GONNA TELL, 'CAUSE THEN IT MIGHT NOT COME TRUE. SEE? (John) OH, HERE YOU GO. OH, JOHN! THAT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL. IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. FROM ALL OF US, LIV. THANK YOU. IN THIS MIRROR, I DON'T LOOK TOO BAD FOR AN OLD LADY. YOU LOOK JUST FINE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY. UH, MRS. WALTON, WE DON'T HAVE A PRESENT FOR YOU BUT I THINK I'VE GOT SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE. AND IT'S DOWN IN THE PASTURE. (Todd) HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE IN THAT PLANE BEFORE WE GO? TODD, HOW WONDERFUL. (children) ALL RIGHT! (John-Boy) OH, THAT'S REAL NICE. CHILDREN, YOUR MAMA'S GOING FLYIN'. COME ON, LET'S GO. (children) BYE, MAMA. [plane engine revving] (Mary Ellen) DON'T FORGET TO WAVE. (Ben) BON VOYAGE. (Elizabeth) BON VOYAGE. [whooping] [all discussing] [all chattering] (children) HEY, MAMA! (John-Boy) "MY HEART IN HIDING "STIRRED FOR A BIRD "THE ACHIEVE OF; THE MASTERY OF THE THING! "BRUTE BEAUTY AND VALOR AND ACT OH, AIR, PRIDE, PLUME, HERE BUCKLE!" HELLO, UP THERE. TODAY GREAT PASSENGER PLANES PLOW THROUGH THOSE SKIES ABOVE THE VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS. LAST YEAR ONE OF THEM BROUGHT MY MOTHER TO SEE US IN CALIFORNIA WHERE I NOW LIVE. WE ARE EXPECTING HER AGAIN SOON AND NO DOUBT OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR MEMORIES WILL RETURN TO THOSE EARLY TIMES WHEN THAT ERA WE CALLED THE DEPRESSED WAS SO VERY, VERY GOOD. [crickets chirping] (Elizabeth) MAMA, DID YOU GET YOUR WISH? (Olivia) I SURE DID. (Ben) WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE UP THERE, MAMA? (Olivia) OH, THE AIR WAS COLD AND THE WIND WHIPPED ME IN THE FACE. DOWN BELOW EVERYTHING LOOKED LIKE TINY LITTLE SPECKS. (Jim-Bob) DID YOU SEE ME, MAMA? (Olivia) MM-HMM. (Jim-Bob) DID I LOOK LIKE A SPECK, TOO? (Olivia) YOU MADE A VERY SPECIAL SPECK, JIM-BOB. (John) ALL RIGHT, YOU HIGH-FLYERS, TIME TO SETTLE DOWN. (Olivia) NOT ME. I'M STILL UP THERE FLYIN'. (John) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY. (Olivia) GOOD NIGHT, JOHN.