The Waltons (TV Series) John's Crossroad (1977) User Reviews

Wish I could have given it 10 stars

[hmoika · 9/10 · 23 April 2020]

This is one of my favorite episodes of the series. I really do think that Ralph Waite was the real star of this series, and in this episode he confirms my belief.

I would have given this episode 10 stars were it not for the secondary plot with Elizabeth. Little Kami Cotler never seemed to be much of an actress, and I often find her character to be both too little and too much......in the overacting department. So this secondary plot dragged my beloved episode into a mere 9 stars rating.

Episode was not plausible, but made for Waite

[bgaiv · 7/10 · 14 August 2023]

I see the complaints about this episode, and John Walton being hired for the highway job seems rather unlikely. Him even running off to the city to apply for it without telling Olivia seems ridiculous.

But at this time in TV, they weren't as bound to continuity as we are used to now. That's not intended as a slight, it was just a different perspective. And one that has its own merits.

I think the episode was entirely to give Ralph Waite the center seat, and it does exactly that. Waite was incredibly talented and, amidst the other quite talented cast, rarely got to really fly.

This was one of his focus episodes.

Paper Pushing John

[janet-conant · 7/10 · 7 March 2022]

As one poster observed how does a guy who has worked in a saw mill and cutting trees be qualified to work for the highway department especially with so many applicants more qualified? Well that was hard to swallow but even more hard to swallow was how cute little Lucas can be infatuated with Elizabeth and Elizabeth isn't impressed? She'd rather hang out with beavers.

Last episode of directing by Thomas where he finally got a good script compared to The Fox and Great Motorcycle Race.

Anyway I really enjoyed how John stood up to the tyrannical Morgan getting him all flustered. Mousey Mel would now get his pension because of John Walton's leverage. Parsons even grew a pair by opening that window while the other rabbits probably got a little reprise. I also enjoyed seeing Olivia order an orange squeeze. When John Boy finds out his father is down at the Dew Drop he tells Elizabeth how they won't tell Rev. Fordwick. Why not? Fordwick got plastered before his first sermon.

The best scenes were in the office showing all the paper pushing but I wonder why John didn't just take a room in Charlottesville during the week, save gas and come home Saturday, he was making $100 a month. Also how did he have all those clean shirts and hope he got a paycheck for one week to pay for his forgotten hat.

A Waltons misfire

[timmcd-84202 · 1/10 · 23 November 2020]

A not very good episode that finds John Walton getting hired for a government office job. If you're ready to believe that a man who's worked in a sawmill his entire life could get hired writing reports for a highway department, then this episode's for you. A half-assed secondary plot involving Grandpa, Elizabeth and an annoying kid who's crushing on her doesn't help things. Only redeeming feature is the great cast of supporting players; Donald Moffat is his blustery best as the tyrant boss, Waltons semi-regular William Phipps as the target of his boss' ire and Patch MacKenzie as the office gossip. Barney Miller fans will recognize Kenneth Tigar, a frequent visitor to the 12th precinct. I give it one star, only because we get to see Olivia order a cocktail in a truck stop diner.