Original subtitles

Oh, yes, yes..

(male narrator) On the last episode of The Waltons.

Do you have some news?

What kind of news I have can't be given over the phone.

Your son's been found.

'Wounded, but alive.'

'He's being flown to an army hospital outside of Washington.'

You'll be able to see him.

How bad is he?

It's very serious.

["The Waltons" theme by Jerry Goldsmith]

[music continues]

(male narrator) Joy and tragedy walked hand in hand

during the dark days of World War II.

When good news came

it always seemed to be tensed with sadness.

The words "Your son is alive" were too often followed

by the phrase "He's badly injured".

When those words came to my family

it meant that the long wait was not over.

It had just begun.

Hey, Corabeth!

Corabeth, it's in the paper. It's about John-Boy. He's save!

Mr. Godsey, we all know that.

Now, in the future would you please not shout?

He's safe, he's safe.

That's a new picture, isn't it?

Well, I'm not sure I like that.

Who cares? The word's worth a thousand pictures.

We're gonna be seeing John-Boy before the day is out, daddy.

It is hard to believe, isn't it?

Don't you know how long you'll be gone?

(John) 'No way to say.'

Looks like your ma's planning on staying a long time.

- Now, women do that. - Women do what?

They pack a lot of stuff

because they know some poor stiff's gotta carry it.

Just something to keep your strength up.

Rose, thank you.

Oh, I dared to think if you getting stranded off the road.

We're not planning on any detours.

You never know, a flat tire or bridge out.

'You never know nowadays.'

This car isn't gonna stop until we get to Alexandria.

But thank you. We'll enjoy the feast on the road.

You and my family take care of each other.

Don't you worry your head. Our hearts are with you.

We'll be waiting for word, mama.

Tell John-Boy I'll come just as soon as he wants me there.

I'll be anxious to meet him as soon as he's able.

Hi, everybody.

Got room for this?

- O-oh! - It's a good picture.

- I bet who's taken, I wonder. - What does it say?

'"John Walton Jr., son of Mr. & Mrs. John Walton'

"of Jefferson County has been found alive in an army hospital

near Washington D.C. according to American Red Cross."

(John) 'That's not news.'

'"An observer for the Stars and Stripes'

young Walton was shot down an airplane over Belgium."

- We know that by heart. - Can we have this, Ike?

Sure. Here, take one to John-Boy.

He'll get a kick out of it. I mean, he will later on.

Y'all take care of each other now, alright?

- Goodbye. - Take care.

'Goodbye, mama.'

'Goodbye, daddy.'

- Bye. - Bye.

[indistinct chatter]

Here we go.

See any looks like Quarter 2-B?

Just people. And noise.

This way.

'Excuse me, can you tell us where..'

Excuse me.

We're looking for Quarter 2-B..

Room 235.

Excuse me, we're looking for our son.

John Walton Jr.

They gave us this slip.

Up the stairs, west lane, second door on the right.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

(woman on intercom) Dr. Jackson outside call.

No visitors. That can't mean us, can it, Liv?

I don't think so.

No visitors, doctor's sign says.

We're his parents.

Talk to the doctor. He's the one who can give that permission.

Where's the doctor?

'He's probably making rounds or in X-ray or surgery'

I'll see if I can find him. Have a seat in the waiting.

- Maybe, we could just-- - I'll see if I can find him.

[melancholic music]

His name is Banion.

* Keep the Home-Fires Burning, while our hearts are yearning *

[humming]

Rose!

You're important to me, Elizabeth

just as you're important to your mother.

I always help mum at the wash. She does it in the morning.

Well, then, we'll do it in the morning from now on.

Oh, I tell you, we're going to have the best time.

Planning things and working together

and keeping busy, Elizabeth.

You know that's the very ticket is keeping busy.

- Oh, there is my big boy. - Hi, Rose.

- I can eat you with a spoon. - Come on.

Why are you wearing your pajama top.

I couldn't find the shirt. Came to get one off the line.

Oh, well, I'll tell you to help yourself, Jim-Bob

but they're all wet.

Everyone of 'em?

Well, I tidied your closet this morning.

It was just a shambles and I wanted you to start out fresh.

So, I threw all your shirts in the laundry.

- Swell. - 'I knew you wouldn't mind.'

This little family is going to pull together

and do the job that John and Olivia would want us to do.

We're gonna stand as one, Jim-Bob.

I'm going over to the mill.

Oh, now, that's the very ticket.

Help your brother.

[Rose humming]

It's a busy place.

Thousands of men.

Sure didn't expect this.

Big, tall, personnel.

Noise. I'd no idea that it'd be so noisy.

I don't think anybody can rest here.

Dr. Banion?

Mr. and Mrs. John Walton?

Yes, sir.

We're real anxious to see our son, sir.

You'll see him.

(Dr. Banion) 'You should be prepared for what you'll see.'

Now, your son's condition is quite serious.

I assume you've been told that.

We know that he was shot down and then he was hurt.

They said he was in shock.

Now, it's a kind of head injury your son sustained.

'He's lucky to be alive. I'm talking to keep it that way.'

To build his strength.

It will be our concern for quite sometime to come.

Will he know us?

No.

(Dr. Banion) 'No, he won't know you.'

'He doesn't know himself.'

He hasn't made a sound since he was brought in.

He simply lies there. Stares.

What can we do?

You can sit with him.

You shouldn't do or say anything

'that might excite him or try for a sustained period'

'to provoke a reaction.'

What I mean, can we...can we talk to him..

I mean, can we, can we talk about home?

You'll find your way.

Ah, you'll-you'll need this to enter his room.

Keep it with you. They'll ask for it.

You're finally gonna let us see him?

That's one lesson we learn here over and over, Mrs. Walton.

Patience.

We wait. We all wait here.

John-Boy, it's your mama.

(John) 'I'm here too, son.'

Both are here. And we're gonna stay right close.

[melancholic music]

He's weak.

He's bound to be.

He's not even blinking, Liv.

Oh, I'm-I'm sure he does from time to time.

(Olivia) 'He's just resting and healing.'

Takes time, Liv.

We've got plenty of that.

I'm just so grateful to be here.

Look down on John-Boy, our biggest brother.

He's been missing from the war

and we're thankful that you found him

and brought him back.

Please help that he'll get healed up fast

so that he could come home again.

Everybody misses him. Amen.

Amen.

I didn't hear you come in.

You hardly even know John-Boy.

I've seen his picture a lot.

He has nice eyes.

Serena, there were lot of times I'd like to give you away

but tonight isn't one of them.

[thunder]

(Olivia) 'John.'

I think his eyes moved. Just a little.

(John) 'John-Boy.'

It was the slightest movement but I'm sure they moved.

Son, if you can hear me, grip my hand.

We can wait.

(nurse) 'Okay, here we go, general.'

[indistinct]

Wait a a minute. Let me get this screen out of the way.

[indistinct]

That's right. I gave general his first ride.

(male #1) 'Would you put your belly.'

'We got you here, didn't we?'

'You know, I think it was fairly..'

Ah!

Now, what've we gotta hear?

Your whole long sad story, is that it?

(Olivia) 'Please.'

Can't you be a little quieter?

We're not disturbing him. You could drive a tank through here.

He wouldn't hear it.

[melancholic music]

Come on, lady, don't be mad.

Our son is very badly hurt. He's..

He's very bad.

Ain't no one in here feeling good.

It's just the noise and the wisecracks.

We have a daughter who's a nurse.

She acts like a nurse. She's not harsh, cruel.

Can't be an army nurse, then.

Are they all like that?

Corrigan? She's the best.

'No hand to talk or act like a church lady.'

'She can't afford to.'

Nurses are supposed to be comforting.

Well, you think about it.

All she sees is arms off..

...legs off, heads caved in.'

Barely living, mostly dying.

Now, she's got to protect herself

wrap up in some kind of tough shell

or she'd crack up.

Who you got over there? Your boy?

- Our son. - Is he unconscious?

Mm-hm.

You ought to be damn glad you got Corrigan looking after him.

There's been nobody looking after him this whole time.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[sighs]

[music continues]

His condition seems to have stabilized.

But don't change the treatment for another 48 hours.

He tried to pinch me. That's a good sign.

That's the best sign there is.

You gonna be coming in?

We're on round, sir. We'll get there.

Boy across the hall, Walton, shock, head injuries?

Who just lays there, stares, not moving.

Nobody's been in to see him.

He's checked regularly, Mr. Walton

by doctors and nurses, day and night.

Now, we'll be in there shortly.

He's got all these bandages, tubes sticking out of him.

It's keeping him alive, Mr. Walton.

You may say it's keeping him alive. I say it stinks.

Believe me, sir, every care is being taken.

What are you doing for him?

We've been trying to talk to him.

You don't give a damn! Nobody's seen him!

How do you know he can't respond if you don't do something?

Shouting in the corridors won't change a thing.

'This is tough, Mr. Walton, and it's going to be tough.'

At best, it's a long, hard pull

and no one can assure you your son's gonna make it.

'But as long as he's here, he'll get the best care we can give.'

My wife and I would sure appreciate that.

[melancholic music]

There are plenty of sweet potatoes.

Oh, my, and here's loads of eggplant!

Here, let me fill your plates again with this.

- You eat the eggplant, Rose. - Jim-Bob.

You can have my share first.

(Mary Ellen) 'Erin?'

Well, I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Well, it's supposed to be awfully good for you.

It is, and for that little package you're carrying.

(Rose) 'Why don't y'all tell me what you like'

'and I'll fix that?'

I'd just like to get a phone call from mama and daddy.

I guess, it's too soon to hear.

(Elizabeth) 'Wouldn't you just give something to be with them?'

I just can't stop thinking about John-Boy.

I'll just feel so much better when we hear something.

I think I know what John and Olivia would like us to do.

I think they'd like us to hold down the fort.

Do you know what's creeping up on us?

A fungus.

One I've had to put up with ever since I can remember!

Thanksgiving is creeping up on us.

I think it would be fun if we all worked on it together.

I'd almost forgotten about Thanksgiving.

Well, if mama gets back in time, she'll take care of it.

(Jim-Bob) 'I don't think we should have it.

Well, now, Jim-Bob Walton, that's not up to you.

'I mean, after all, Thanksgiving is just there.'

Why don't we talk about it later, Rose?

Well, there's no problem.

There's just a little planning necessary.

Order the turkey, get the berries for the cranberry sauce

'and the oysters for the dressing'

'and there's plenty of time. There's no rush.'

Oysters?

(chuckles)

Well, I guess, I've said something else wrong.

[instrumental music]

I feel so torn.

I wanna go home with you, but I can't leave John-Boy.

I don't like leaving you here alone.

When I think of what hotel rooms cost

I don't know what else to do.

Don't worry about the expense. We can afford it.

I wish we could go back to the times

when we could hardly afford anything at all.

At least the children were all safe under one roof.

I think about those times, too. I'll call you, Liv.

John, I just know there's something inside of John-Boy

that's trying to reach out

and there can't be silence and darkness when it does.

I understand, honey. You have to stay.

You take care. Just a minute.

[instrumental music]

Give my love to everybody.

I'll talk to you soon.

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

They told us his plane went down at sea

right off the coast of Belgium.

No one knows how he survived the crash.

'A fishing boat came along and picked him up.'

Then, they put him on a ship coming to England.

That's where he's been the last couple of months.

Why didn't somebody let us know?

It took them a long time to identify him.

He'd lost his dog tags.

What's his condition?

Maybe, you could see some difference from day to day.

-But he looks the same to me. -Holding his own?

(John) 'He's not losing any ground.'

Does mama see a change?

Well, you know your mama. She's sure he's gonna call out

one of these days, and when he does, she wants to be there.

We've all just gotta keep believing.

We have to give her all the help we can.

I hope she doesn't worry about us too much.

(John) 'She knows you're in good hands with Rose here.'

Well, you know, I've been looking through that

old family recipe book and I still believe

that if we all pitch in on that Thanksgiving dinner

'it could be the pleasantest kind of a thing to do.'

'Now, I've made a shopping list'

and I'm going to ask Ike to get us a 25-pound bird.

I'm tired of hearing about that dinner. Goodnight, everybody.

'Goodnight, son.'

(Mary Ellen) 'It just doesn't seem right to celebrate this year.'

- Goodnight, daddy. - 'Goodnight, honey.'

I don't feel very thankful, either.

(Erin & John) 'Goodnight.'

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, honey.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

I never had much of a family Thanksgiving.

So, you'll just have to decide for yourself.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, dear.

We know you mean well, Rose. Goodnight.

- Goodnight, son. - Goodnight.

They don't wanna thanks-give, nana.

Sure seems that way.

How about you two, you gonna say goodnight?

I'm so glad to have you back, Uncle John.

Good to be here, honey.

Make you feel any better

I'll take you fishing, Uncle John.

Well, we'll see about that. Thank you, son.

- Goodnight, nana. - Goodnight, sweetie.

Well, John, can I get you something?

Could use another cup of coffee, Rose.

Oh, good.

You know the trouble, don't you, about Thanksgiving?

It's this big table with all the empty places.

I take up a good deal of that space, John.

And the children.

And you're welcome. You know it, Rose.

It's just that with pa gone and..

...I wish you'd known him.

There was something to be thankful for.

And ma resting this long time.

Curt dead.

Jason in the Army. John-Boy not very much alive.

Liv over there with him.

It's just not easy to be thankful, you know?

I know what you're saying, John.

But it seems to me, these are the times to try.

'You know, really try.'

[instrumental music]

(Olivia) 'I think the colors all through the mountains'

'were brighter than ever this year.'

'The dogwood leaves turned first'

red as the fire leaping out of the stove

when your father first lights the wood in the morning.

Then pumpkin orange, then lemon yellow.

Just one long sweep of gold all through your meadow.

And the bushes and the far off trees every shade of scarlet

like the flight of a thousand cardinal birds

with the wind bending them this way and that.

Do you remember the man who burned the books back home?

They were German books.

You were outraged.

That was the first time we began to realize

what this horrible war was all about.

But I was so proud of you then.

I'm proud of you now.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

I hate leaving him alone all through the night.

Well, it's not like you're leaving him with a stranger.

I'm not going anywhere.

I've been doing all my talking

to the one who can't hear.

Oh, it's okay. I listen.

Do you have a family somewhere?

No one to speak of. Your home place sounds nice.

It is.

These legs are contrary.

Won't move at all on their own.

They get a notion to, they can hurt or burn or itch.

You ever scratch an itch you can't feel?

- Aren't they getting better? - No.

And I'm told they won't be. That doesn't matter.

I only need them when I stand up.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize.

Oh, lady. Don't look like that.

You gotta get so you can turn things around.

Sometimes laughing's all you've got.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

[melancholic music]

Mrs. Walton?

Mrs. Denman, what are you doing here?

I've been transferred to Eastern Division

Headquarters in Alexandria.

I guess you'd call it a promotion.

Your son's...about the same, I know.

I enquire about him. That's how I knew you were here.

I'm thankful to be here with him.

Looking tired. Mr. Walton's not here?

He had to go home. His work goes on.

You're staying all alone? Where, some hotel nearby?

Walking distance.

So's my apartment.

Come have a bite of supper with me.

You won't believe this, but you've been on my mind all day.

I'd love to.

[instrumental music]

Nobody encourages me to believe it

but I know John-Boy knows I'm there.

Are you sure you want to believe that?

It makes you very vulnerable, you know.

Something's different.

Since the first time John and I saw him, something's changed.

- Then you must stay on. - I plan to.

As long as he needs me.

Is that your son?

It was taken just before he shipped out.

Look at those shoulders.

Would you believe I used to scold him

for not standing up straight?

Eighteen years he ignored my advice..

...and in two weeks some Navy CPO

had him looking like that.

He's very handsome.

I tried to make myself go up and look in on John-Boy..

...but I just couldn't face seeing all those young men

they're sending home from the war.

Knowing that Terry won't be coming home.

I thank God I never had to go through that.

Oh, I told you you'd been on my mind all day.

'The Red Cross staff at the hospital'

'is badly in need of case workers.'

'I thought of you right away.'

Now, the pay is..

[laughs]

Well, we could only offer you expenses to begin with.

You mean, do volunteer work full-time?

It's near John-Boy.

'Maybe, you'd like to talk it over with Mr. Walton.'

I could do that. I'm going home this weekend.

Another thing.

If you're willing to step on each other from time to time..

...you're welcome to pay half the rent on all this.

[instrumental music]

You sure you're gonna be alright..

..with your work and John-Boy?

I don't think we're given more than we can handle.

Worst part is being away from you.

We started right out being separated, didn't we?

Me going off to war. There's been a few times since.

All those years of looking up and finding you there.

Reaching out and touching you

gets to be habit-forming.

- Well, we'll do that some more. - And I haven't left yet.

[ambient music]

Is mama still here?

She's upstairs. You're just in time.

- Hi. - Hi.

[laughs]

The way everyone comes in and out we need a revolving door.

[Rose chuckles]

(Olivia) 'Just a second.'

[instrumental music]

- Wow. - I was hoping you'd get home.

I almost saluted you. Thought you were a colonel.

I don't feel much like one.

In this family, you're the last one

I'd expect to see putting on an uniform.

None of us has much control over our lives these days.

I'm real glad you're going to be with John-Boy.

If anyone can reach him, pull him back, it's you.

I've tried talking to him. So has your daddy.

I thought if I read some of his own words

it might spark something.

I remember when I was little, tagging along after him.

'We'd be going fishing or climbing a tree'

'or running an errand.'

He always had that little notebook in his back pocket.

'He'd stop in the strangest places'

'and write down a few words he'd thought of.'

'And then we'd move on.'

After that, it was you with your harmonica

and Jim-Bob and Ben tagging off after you.

Every one of you had your own ways right from the start.

It would have been easier for you if we'd been more alike.

You would've known what to expect.

Carbon copies? I don't think I could have stood that.

Everyone is fainter than the last.

I'll stick to my originals.

It's never gonna be the same, is it, mama?

The world, Walton's mountain, this family.

Not with the world changing the way it is.

We can't reach back and grab the past.

We gotta remember the good times.

We've had a lot of those.

I don't remember anything else.

- I'm proud of you, mama. - I'm proud of you, too.

[instrumental music]

[John Curtis babbling]

(Ben) 'Oh, mama is there.'

Oh!

- Olivia, you look beautiful. - Thank you, Rose.

I wish we'd be coming with you.

I wish I could take y'all. I hate to be leaving you here.

We're not the only family going through this.

Don't worry about us, mama, we'll be fine.

I'll miss you, I'll think about you

and I'll try not to worry.

Jeffrey and I promise to do our chores.

Yeah, but you got the easy stuff.

Cindy, you better not have that baby

before John-Boy and I get back.

Hm, I'll do my best.

Ben, you take good care of her.

I will, mama.

Jim-Bob?

You think he'll get any better, mama?

(John) 'We don't know, son.'

Nobody knows.

[melancholic music]

[telephone rings]

Red Cross.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Rodriguez.

I'm glad you called. Did you find your room?

I'm sorry I missed you when you were here this afternoon.

Do you have any questions?

I'm afraid Rudy's condition is permanent.

Both eyes.

Yes, blind. I'm sorry.

I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Rodriguez.

Never easy, is it?

I don't know how you faced those families all this time.

It took my mind off my own troubles.

I'll bet you haven't thought of John-Boy all afternoon.

I'm going up to see him now. Maybe you wanna come.

Sorry.

There's another young man up there

who needs a visitor of his own.

As I said..

...sorry.

[dramatic music]

[door opens]

- Hello. - Hi.

I wish to hell he'd pinch me.

- I beg your pardon? - That's just something we say.

Means he'd be on the mend.

Oh.

[instrumental music]

"The dusk of evening seeped down from the mountains

"over the meadows of spring

"and through the blossoming crab-apple orchard.

"The trees were in full blossom

and their light perfume filled the night with wonder."

(Corrigan) 'You read to him?'

He wrote it himself.

Well, "I'll be damned, by John Walton, Jr."

(Olivia) 'I don't see what harm it could do.'

It seems better than driving a tank through the room.

[instrumental music]

Pretty soon, he'll be riding Old Blue.

I think Old Blue might be safe. This little mare's kinda frisky.

Now, now!

You just put tooth in that. Come on, come on.

Now, isn't that it? You tell me if it isn't.

Oh, it's okay, Rose. John Curtis and I feed ourselves.

It's mince meat.

Mm-hm, it's mince meat.

Oh-ho, I'm so relieved!

Do we get a prize for getting the right answer?

Pies for Thanksgiving is what you get.

'I tell you, when I found Esther's recipe'

'I'd just wanted to weep for joy.'

I said to myself, "That's the key."

'You see, any fool can roast a turkey'

but to give this dear family the kind of mince pies

they're used to, well, you just can't know.

'And I know I've got Olivia's sage-dressing recipe'

'just down pat.'

This family's Thanksgiving dinner is gonna taste just as if

grandma and Olivia had cooked it.

- I wish you wouldn't, Rose. - Wouldn't?

'I've tried before to be mama and grandma'

'rolled into one.'

It won't work.

Mary Ellen, I meant no such thing.

I was just trying to step in and help.

(Erin) 'Rose, don't try and be someone else.'

Just be yourself.

(Mary Ellen) 'That's right.'

If we just let Thanksgiving go by without a lot of fuss

it would be better for everyone.

Well, you beat all, you people. You do.

Don't you think I know that your hearts

are with John-Boy this Thanksgiving?

And grandma and Olivia?

We didn't mean to hurt you, Rose.

Well, now, just be quiet. All I hear is what's wrong.

who doesn't want dinner and who isn't here anymore.

Don't you know that we all miss someone?

I am weary unto the death of trying to be thankful

all by myself.

'Now, I am!'

And that's the size of it!

[dramatic music]

Where you rushing off to, nana?

- Just one of my walks, Serena. - Can I come with you?

No, I've got something to work off.

You children best stay there.

Oh, one of those walks. She's good and mad.

Share, Jeffrey. Give it here!

"A wisteria vine that was filled each spring

"with heavy-scented clusters of purple blossoms.

"The thought of leaving saddened the boy.

"He looked at his home and he felt as if a curtain was drawn

"across the scene, cutting him away from his family

"and separating them from him.

"He knew then that all things change and grow

"and that when he returned, the wisteria and the fern

"and geranium would've changed and grown and somehow he too

would have changed, and a curtain would have fallen."

How I wish you could have heard that.

I did.

- He writing about himself? - And his family. All of us.

Almost makes me homesick.

And I've never been anywhere near Walton's Mountain.

Where are you from, Sam?

No place in particular.

I bummed around a lot before I joined the army.

Who's gonna look after you when you get out of here?

Same guy that looked after me before, I guess.

Me.

'I always got by, always will.'

It doesn't get lonesome very often.

(John-Boy) 'Oh, ma.'

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

John-Boy, you called my name.

John-Boy.

'You called for me. I'm here.'

I heard it, too. I've got good ears.

I just wouldn't mind hearing it again.

We'll-we'll stay on for a while.

But I wouldn't count on his saying anything else.

He said one word.

But we can't consider it a breakthrough

unless it continues.

I can wait.

So long as you understand he may have had

just one fleeting moment of lucidity.

What I understand is he called me by name.

There's more hope now than ever.

[instrumental music]

I will, Liv, yeah. Right away! Yeah.

That's the best word he could have said.

Okay. You just keep reading to him.

Goodbye, honey.

- John-Boy said something? - He said, "mama."

I'm glad she was there.

Now, look, you're to keep praying and your friends

and tell the church it's a beginning.

He's gonna come back now.

Thanksgiving's coming, and all you've got is eggs?

What on Earth is that boy talking about?

Oh, Rose, we'll even eat your oyster salad.

[Rose exclaims]

[instrumental music]

Jim-Bob, where are you going with that gun?

I'm gonna shoot us a turkey.

Just yesterday, I was thinking about shooting you.

Can I have the key?

Here you go. Only take a couple of shells.

John-Boy's meadow is full of turkeys.

Thanks, daddy.

John Walton, what's happening to this family?

All of a sudden, Thanksgiving has become a legal holiday.

Liv just called. John-Boy called her name!

[both laughing]

Praise be!

There was a time when coffee this late

would keep me awake half the night.

- Doesn't hold true now. - Well, no wonder.

Working long hours at the office

and spending every available moment

by John-Boy's bedside.

I hope you get rest when you're going home for Thanksgiving.

I'm not going home.

I figured the best way for me to give thanks is to be with him.

I wish you had more to give thanks for.

But now, it's enough that he's breathing.

[melancholic music]

'Where are you going to spend your Thanksgiving?'

'Well, I'm not gonna stuff a turkey, I can tell you that.'

'The cafeteria at the hospital has pretty good food.'

You can get a six-course meal all on one tray.

And sit with all those noisy, overworked army nurses?

No, thanks.

I know someone you could spend the day with.

I thought you were gonna be with John-Boy.

I was thinking about the boy John-Boy shares his room with.

Olivia, the way you've nagged me to come up and see that boy

I'm beginning to feel sorry for your husband.

Sam is bright, likeable, and he needs a friend.

'There's no sense in both of you spending the day alone.'

I bet you'd be a whiz at matchmaking.

Shall I tell him you'll be there?

Sorry, Olivia.

I wouldn't be good company.

I'd see the boy that I used to spend my Thanksgivings with.

[instrumental music]

(female chattering on intercom)

(John) 'Liv?'

John!

Why didn't you tell me you're coming?

I didn't plan it.

Rose has everything organized. I felt I was getting in the way.

You look good to me. When did you get in?

Where are you staying?

We are gonna stay in the best hotel in town.

How did you manage that?

I got my ways. Is that alright with you?

I'll have to ask my roommate.

- Liv.. - Oops.

[ambient music]

- Mrs. Denman, Sam. - I don't believe it.

This lady says she's a friend of yours.

I hope so, 'cause I'm letting her kidnap me.

I left a tray in there for you.

Thanksgiving dinner straight from the hospital cafeteria.

Pumpkin pie's a bit runny, but aside from that

it's a fairly respectable meal.

You're gonna have to split it. I didn't know there were two.

We appreciate that.

You two going down to the cafeteria?

She's taking me out of all of this.

Well, they're serving turkey downstairs

and I said I'd bring a friend.

And you couldn't find a friend, so..

'You ever try to pull a wishbone alone?'

I'm much too frail.

- Oops. - You're a terrible driver.

I was driving before you were born, sonny.

Happy Thanksgiving, John-Boy.

John-Boy, I'm here.

Here we go. Oh, my!

(all) Oh, that looks great, Rose.

Thank you, boys.

(Ben) Boy, that's heavy.

- I'm starving. - Oh, I can't wait.

Oh, thank you, Jeffrey.

I want to tell you everybody had a hand

in this dinner, including the pilgrim here.

Oh, I think you should say the grace, Rose.

Alright.

Father in heaven..

...please bless this table, this family..

...and all those who are with us only in our hearts today.

And I might as well stick this in.

I promise not to try and do everything at once again.

And if I do, I hope you'll give me a nudge, sir. Amen.

- Amen. - That was beautiful.

I better stand up and get a little leverage on this thing.

[instrumental music]

'Dear God..'

...we thank you for letting us be together today.

'We ask you you're continued blessing'

'on our dear family at home.'

[instrumental music]

(John) 'We thank you for..'

'...blessing our son John-Boy.'

'And for returning him safely to us.'

[instrumental music]

(male narrator) And so they started back, so many young men

from tunnels of darkness to light.

From the very door of death

to the first turning step back to life.

And the families' hearts were glad all over the land.

(Jim-Bob) 'That was a great dinner, Rose.'

(Elizabeth) 'It was. Really, Rose.'

(Rose) 'Why, thank you. My goodness.'

(Erin) 'I'm glad we didn't talk you out of it.'

(Rose) 'Now, if this isn't just the nicest thing.'

'I'll tell you what I was thinking about Christmas.'

'Now, I really think we should hit that early.'

(all) 'Goodnight, nana!'

["The Waltons" theme by Jerry Goldsmith]

[music continues]