Ep 5. Song of the Wild West
- TV-PG
- October 17, 1984
- 48 min
Jonathan and Mark find themselves in a Wild West themed amusement park and become involved with a family whose lives have been dramatically affected by the park's expansion. The family's matriarch, Melanie Davis, owns a small ranch that has been in the family for generations and is being threatened by the park's expansion plans. Melanie's son, Thomas, is a talented musician who dreams of one day becoming a country music star but struggles with dyslexia. His father, Roy, is a former rodeo star who has been injured and is unable to work, causing financial strain on the family.
Jonathan and Mark soon learn that the park's owner, Harry Beamish, has his own hidden agenda and is willing to stop at nothing to take over the Davis's land. Meanwhile, Thomas is given the opportunity to perform at the park's grand opening, but when his dyslexia causes him to struggle with the lyrics, he becomes discouraged and wants to give up on his dream.
Throughout the episode, Jonathan and Mark work to bring the family together and help them find a way to save their land from the park's expansion. They also work with Thomas to help him overcome his dyslexia and continue pursuing his passion for music. In the end, the family is able to come up with a plan to keep their land and Thomas is able to perform at the grand opening with the support of his family and newfound confidence in himself.
As always, Highway to Heaven delivers a heartwarming message about the importance of family and never giving up on your dreams. The episode also shines a light on the struggles of those with dyslexia and the support and accommodations they need to succeed. Overall, Song of the Wild West is a touching episode that will leave viewers feeling uplifted and inspired.