Episode 1
The Journey
September 13, 1973
Maggie McKenzie would like to see the ocean once more. John-Boy takes her but must miss an important dance. Grandpa helps the children save an injured bird. Earl Hamner makes his only appearance in the series as Maggie's husband. The director of this episode, Harry Harris, who would eventually direct almost 50 episodes, was nominated for an Emmy award.
Episode 2
The Odyssey
September 20, 1973
John-Boy heads for a mountain retreat and finds an old school mate who is expecting.The baby arrives with John-Boy's help. The mule, Blue makes his first appearance in this episode.
Episode 3
The Separation
September 27, 1973
The family struggles with financial crisis and the electricity is turned off. Grandpa sets out to raise some money but tells no one about his plans. Grandma becomes angry and Grandpa moves out. The bill is paid and the angry grandparents make-up at a barn dance.
Episode 4
The Theft
October 4, 1973
A wealthy widow, Mrs Clayborne, accuses John Walton of stealing antiques while working in her mansion. John needed new tires and he hocks his wedding ring to buy them. He refuses to tell anyone where the money came from. The mystery is finally solved when the Clayborne son admits to selling the goblets to raise money for his family.
Episode 5
The Roots
October 11, 1973
Harley Foster and his son Jodie are introduced to the series. Harley roams the countryside doing odd jobs. Jodie has had no formal education. Verdie Grant takes a strong liking to Harley and eventually persuades him to stay on Walton's Mountain.
Episode 6
The Chicken Thief
October 18, 1973
John-Boy accidentally sees a family friend, Yancy Tucker, stealing chickens and must decide whether to turn him in to the sheriff. Yancy has been helping poor friends but is arrested and charged with shooting the chicken's owner. All is resolved when the owner admits to falling and shooting himself.
Episode 7
The Prize
October 25, 1973
The Country Fair has come to Walton's Mountain. Grandma has entered a quilt in the competition. Ben sells a pig for the greased pig contest and Olivia's old suitor, now politician, visits the fair.
Episode 8
The Braggart
November 1, 1973
Hobart Shank a teen-age orphan returns to the Walton home while John attempts to get him a contract as a professional baseball pitcher. He breaks his arm after falling out of the tree house losing his chance at fame.
Episode 9
The Fawn
November 8, 1973
John-Boy secures a position of rent collector for a hated landlord while Erin, who is disappointed by her knight in shining armor, nurses an orphaned fawn back to health.
Episode 10
The Thanksgiving Story
November 15, 1973
John-Boy anticipates a visit from his girlfriend and is pending a college scholarship exam. He has an accident in the sawmill and his vision is blurred. He is unable to finish his test and eventually must undergo surgery.
Episode 11
The Substitute
November 22, 1973
An inexperienced but brilliant young sub teacher wreaks havoc in the Walton's Mountain School. Because of her insecurity, she refuses advice from anyone until Olivia steps in.
Episode 12
The Bequest
November 29, 1973
Grandma finds out she has inherited $250 and decides to share her wealth. Mary Ellen experiments with being a blond and uses Jim-Bob as a test case.
Episode 13
The Air Mail Man
December 13, 1973
An air mail pilot, due to engine trouble, lands his plane in the Walton's meadow. With the help of John, the plane is repaired and Olivia receives a surprise birthday gift, a plane ride!
Episode 14
The Triangle
December 20, 1973
John-Boy experiences a heart ache because Miss Hunter, his teacher, starts dating Reverend Fordwick.
Episode 15
The Awakening
January 3, 1974
Grandma's 68th birthday is here and the 2 faces of age are keenly felt by her as Grandma is confronted by old age. Mary Ellen, now 14 years old, poses an impossible barrier between her and a college student who lays claim to her heart.
Episode 16
The Honeymoon
January 10, 1974
Olivia and John go on a late honeymoon at Virginia Beach while John-Boy & Marcia Woolery try to come to an understanding in their relationship.
Episode 17
The Heritage
January 17, 1974
An investor talks John into selling the mountain as a tour center. John thinks it over but realizes what the home means to the rest of his family and turns the ofter down.
Episode 18
The Gift
January 24, 1974
Jason learns one of life's hardest lessons: the death of a close friend. Seth Turner learns he has only one year to live because he has a fatal disease.
Episode 19
The Cradle
January 31, 1974
Olivia finds out she is pregnant and the children set out to make her and the baby a variety of presents. Elizabeth is jealous because she thinks because she is the youngest that her Mom will not love her the same way or will never have any more time for her. In the end Olivia loses the baby
Episode 20
The Fulfillment
February 7, 1974
The Waltons bring home an 8 year boy named Stevie who is an orphan so he can experience a family setting. Stevie meets Curtis Norton a blacksmith and an immediate bond occurs. Curtis and his wife take in the boy.
Episode 21
The Ghost Story
February 14, 1974
The Children get a Ouija board from Ike. Olivia and Grandma have misgivings about the children playing with it and speaking to it's spirits.
Episode 22
The Graduation
February 21, 1974
John-Boy gets ready to graduate from high school in a new suit. When the cow dies John-Boy returns the suit and gets his money back and uses the money to buy another cow. John-Boy graduates in Grandpa's old suit.
Episode 23
The Five Foot Shelf
March 7, 1974
A traveling salesman named George Reed talks Olivia into buying a 5 foot collection of books called The Harvard Classics. George uses the down payment to buy his daughter a doll.
Episode 24
The Car
March 14, 1974
When John-Boy starts college and needs a car to travel to and from college, he makes a deal with Hyder Rudge. John-Boy works at the Rudge home for the car. Hyder hides the auto and refuses to sell to John-Boy because the car belong to Hyder's dead son.
