The Waltons (TV Series) The Fire Storm (1976) User Reviews

Re: Great Episode 2 Thumbs Up

[gods_outlaw43 · 10/10 · 27 August 2009]

This episode is the best of the entire series, a lesson in history, never quite seen anything today that could match the drama and historical properties of this particular episode that doesn't go overboard in its storyline,Its definitely my favorite, its hard to comment on it without giving the plots story away,but it is educational on the subject of hatred and ignorance and what it can do if it goes unaltered, The lesson can be applied today considering the war in Iraq,Afgan.., and our rights to speak out and other rights guaranteed by the 'Bill Of Rights' being taken away, growing up watching this program like a lot of others, the drama such has this was always what made this show interesting. just my 2 cents worth

Something we could use in 2022

[jaimhaas · 10/10 · 18 February 2022]

This country has become so divided often because of the biased news that we are being fed. This episode is timeless for it addresses the importance of a free and unbiased press. Amazing how well this holds up. Maybe it is our culture that has not held up.

Is Everyone in The County Ignorant?

[janet-conant · 10/10 · 26 May 2020]

This is probably one of the best episodes of The Waltons due to Thomas's brave performance. The reverend starts the fire storm off recklessly in church denouncing John Boy's intent to print excerpts from Hitler's Mein Kampf in his newspaper. It seems everyone follows suit, except John, Sr., in their lame aggression against his newspaper including Grandma and the Godseys and Erin even accuses John Boy when she loses the beauty contest. (Too bad) The sub plots were weak especially MaryEllen's new romance.

However this is Richard Thomas's pinnacle of fine acting when he confronts a store owner and the reverend and their plan to have their own book burning at the fair. Mrs. Bremmer steps up at the end with her own courageous move. All in all a great episode but after Rev. Fordwick's dangerous display of recklessness he should be replaced. I hope Richard Thomas got an Emmy it was rightly deserved and he was cute too.

One episode that is truly memorable

[minty1364 · 10/10 · 28 October 2014]

For those that grew up on watching 'The Waltons' and all the reruns, there was one episode that stood out for one reason and this is the one. For me, it was one scene, and I got to watch this episode again after many years of waiting. The story begins simply enough, throw in fear and ignorance and things spiral out of control. It shows how one person can affect the lives of everyone, even when you just try to tell something like the simple truth. The story from the beginning and all the way through - sets up the whole story right to the end without ever going over the top and I would have to say, it is probably the best episode of them all. (I even watched one scene several times - for me, it is that good).

Let there be light

[jilljohnson-80359 · 8/10 · 12 March 2024]

That minister should be kicked out of the church. It was not his place to shame, humiliate and demean in front of everyone in a place of worship. I didn't think there were so many ignorant people up on that mountain (in the show ). It doesn't take much to fuel the fire Thorndike certainly did. 😳 all john boy was trying to do was inform people of what is going on around the globe not just happenings on waltons mountain one event Erin's beauty contest. I never cared much for her anyway but she certainly is miss shallow contestant of waltons mountain.

John boys newspaper article of mein kampf is making him unpopular and center of hostility, his family also. The best part is grandpa helping Erin get entered in the beauty contest. He sure knew how to pull shenanigans! Mrs. Bremer visited John boy at the paper telling him how hard life was for her and family because her being german. Fear, there were those who were hostile and oh so very ignorant. Obscurantanism, the refusal to spread knowledge and education.

After her royal high... loses the contest of ourselves it's all John boys fault and his Hitler articles. Whiny and vain that's pretty much Erin's charachter. Reverend comes up with a brilliant idea to have a book burning to help calm it all down. The trouble maker guy did the same thing on little house, had a whole bunch of "trash" esp. Mei n kampf will burn. John boy stops that I love his impassioned speeches he tells Erin off and the crowd. Burning books here are no different than Germany. He picks up a random book can't read German, then mrs. Bremer takes the book and begins to read, neighbors all looking at each other puzzled. She then translates "in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth, by that time his mamas in tears (me and carol too) burning a German bible!! The reverend didn't know whT to say, except the bible and mein kampf belong in good hands.

We most certainly miss out on a great many things by wanting g to stick our head in to the sand 😀 and pretend all is grand.