Ep 23. The Graduation

The Waltons season 2 episode 23, titled "The Graduation," is a heartwarming episode that captures the essence of a family's love, support, and devotion towards their children. As the name suggests, the episode revolves around the graduation of John-Boy, the eldest son of the Walton family, from high school.

As John-Boy prepares himself for the graduation, the entire family pitches in to make it a perfect day for him. While his parents, Olivia and John Walton, arrange for a celebratory meal, his siblings, Mary Ellen, Jim-Bob, Erin, and Ben, help him get dressed and offer emotional support.

As the family sets out for the graduation ceremony, they encounter various obstacles that threaten to dampen their spirits. The car breaks down, and they have to walk several miles to reach the venue. But, as they reach the school, their worries fade away as they witness John-Boy being awarded the top honors.

Through the episode, we see the dynamic range of emotions that the family experiences. They are proud of John-Boy's achievement but are also aware that this means he is going to leave home for college. The realization that their eldest child is going to leave the nest fills them with mixed emotions.

As John-Boy gives his valedictorian speech, we see the entire family moved to tears by his words. His speech is a beautiful tribute to the values that his family has instilled in him and a reflection of how much he has grown since the first season.

The soundtrack of the episode is also noteworthy, with the poignant and stirring original music composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

Overall, "The Graduation" is a quintessential episode of The Waltons. It captures the essence of the show and showcases the strong bonds that hold the Walton family together. With its message of family values, enduring love, and the importance of education, this episode has become a fan favorite over the years. It remains a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move audiences.