Ep 4. The Thoroughbred

In The Waltons season 3 episode 4, titled "The Thoroughbred," the Walton family is introduced to a wealthy racehorse owner named Harve Miller. When Harve's prized thoroughbred, a horse named Sally Anne, goes missing, the Waltons help search for her.

The family becomes invested in finding the horse, which leads them to meet a man named George, who has taken in Sally Anne. George is a kind-hearted man who has been out of work for the last two years and has been living off of what little he can make from selling scrap metal he collects.

As the Waltons get to know George, they learn about his struggles and how he has been trying to make ends meet. They also learn about his love of horses and how he has been taking care of Sally Anne despite not being able to afford it. The family is touched by his kindness and decides to help him out by getting him a job at Harve Miller's stables.

Meanwhile, Sally Anne's disappearance has caused a rift between Harve and his son, who believes that his father cares more about the horse than he does about his own family. The son's attitude causes Harve to reflect on his priorities and ultimately leads him to make a difficult decision about what is truly important in his life.

The episode also touches on themes of class and privilege as the Walton family interacts with Harve and his wealthy friends. However, the show ultimately emphasizes the importance of kindness and empathy, showing how even people from different walks of life can come together to help each other in times of need.

"The Thoroughbred" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the power of community and how acts of kindness can have a ripple effect on those around us. As always, the performances from the cast are excellent, with Richard Thomas as John-Boy and Ralph Waite as John Walton delivering particularly strong performances. Overall, this episode is a standout in an already excellent series.