Ep 5. The Typewriter

The Waltons season 1 episode 5, titled "The Typewriter," follows the beloved Walton family as they struggle to make ends meet during the 1930s depression. The episode begins with the family discussing their financial troubles and trying to come up with ways to make more money. While John Boy, the eldest son, is out running errands for his father, he comes across an old typewriter in the window of a second-hand store. He becomes fascinated by the machine and decides to put his writing skills to use by typing up letters for people in the community for a small fee.

As John Boy works on his first customer's letter, he discovers that he has a true talent for the craft and becomes obsessed with perfecting his skills. He spends all of his free time typing, neglecting his farm chores and schoolwork in the process. His family becomes concerned about his newfound obsession, but John Boy is determined to succeed and make money to help support the family.

Meanwhile, Olivia, the Walton matriarch, worries about her youngest child, Elizabeth, who is being teased by her classmates for wearing worn-out shoes. Olivia saves up money to buy her daughter a new pair of shoes, but when John Boy's typewriter breaks, the family is forced to use Elizabeth's new shoes as collateral to get it fixed. This leaves Elizabeth devastated and her mother heartbroken.

As the episode progresses, John Boy's typewriting business begins to take off, and he even gets a job offer from a local newspaper. However, when his father discovers that he has been neglecting his other responsibilities and that Elizabeth's new shoes were used as collateral, he forces John Boy to make things right.

In the end, John Boy learns the importance of balancing his passions with his responsibilities to his family and community. He uses his earnings from the typewriter business to buy Elizabeth a new pair of shoes and to contribute to the household expenses.

Overall, "The Typewriter" is a heartwarming episode of The Waltons that showcases the family's perseverance and resourcefulness in the face of difficult times. The episode highlights the importance of hard work, family, and community, and is sure to leave viewers feeling uplifted and inspired.