Ep 2. The Odyssey

The Waltons season 2 episode 2, titled "The Odyssey", portrays the story of John-Boy Walton, who is yearning to escape the routine of daily farm work and write something meaningful. His ambition to become a writer makes him crave new experiences, and he believes the best way to accomplish this is by venturing out into the world beyond Walton's Mountain.

John-Boy gets his chance when a famous writer, A.J. Covington, comes to visit their hometown, and he offers John-Boy the opportunity to work as his assistant in New York City. With the encouragement of his family, John-Boy sets out on a journey to the big city and eagerly embraces the new experiences and opportunities that come his way.

As John-Boy adapts to city life and his new job, he is exposed to a different way of thinking and living, which he realizes is vastly different from the life he has known in the mountains. He is also introduced to new people from different walks of life who offer him insight into various perspectives, inspiring him to write better than he ever has before.

However, the big city has its own challenges, and John-Boy soon finds himself struggling to balance his work with the responsibilities and traditions he left behind in Walton's Mountain. Meanwhile, back home, the rest of the family deals with their own struggles.

As John-Boy's odyssey deepens, he realizes that the city has its dark side, and he must grapple with the reality of the harsh and unfair world. All the while, he tries to reconcile his newfound experiences with the values and morals instilled in him by his family.

At the end of the episode, John-Boy enhances his writing skills, has new friends, and exposure to the world he never knew. He has a chance to explore the world beyond his small town, and he returns to Walton's Mountain with newfound perspective. Through his journey, John-Boy learns the value of family, the importance of staying true to one's roots, and that even the most difficult experiences can be worthwhile.