Ep 12. The Substitute

The Waltons season 2 episode 12, titled "The Substitute," follows the family as they deal with unexpected changes in their routine. John-Boy, the eldest Walton child, is absent from school due to an injury he sustained while playing football. As a result, the school hires a substitute teacher, Miss Becker, to take his place. However, Miss Becker is not a typical teacher. She is free-spirited and unconventional, and her teaching methods clash with the traditional values that the Walton family holds dear.

Throughout the episode, the Waltons struggle to adjust to Miss Becker's teaching style. She encourages the students to question authority and think for themselves, which worries John and Olivia Walton, who value discipline and respect for authority. Meanwhile, the younger Walton children, particularly Erin and Mary Ellen, are excited by Miss Becker's unconventional approach and begin to question the strict rules they have been raised with.

As tensions rise between Miss Becker and the Walton family, a crisis arises. One of the younger Walton children falls seriously ill, and the family must pull together to care for him. Miss Becker, despite her unorthodox methods, proves to be a compassionate and capable caregiver, earning the respect of the Walton family. In the end, her time with the family teaches them all important lessons about the value of open-mindedness and the importance of caring for one another.

Overall, "The Substitute" is an episode that explores themes of tradition and change, authority and rebellion, and the power of community in times of crisis. It is a heartwarming and thought-provoking addition to the second season of The Waltons, and one that has resonated with audiences for decades.