(12 January 1978)
Writers: Rod Peterson and Claire Whitaker.
Director: Richard Chaffee.
Music: Alexander Courage.
"It was
spring on Waltons Mountain, and after the confinement
of a long winter life burst forth with such energy that every creature seemed
charged with it, including the two young stallions in our house, Ben and Jim
Bob".
The spring-cleaning of
the Walton’s house is interrupted as arguments erupt
between Ben and Jim Bob. Grandpa and Elizabeth discuss their temperament with
Grandpa saying the boys are acting ‘like billygoats’. Elizabeth mentions they
seem to hate each other. Grandpa knows those feelings are normal for boys of
their age. While Mary Ellen removes the curtains and Jason plays the piano,
Erin wants to know why Ben is so grumpy. He states that Ruby acted like ‘little
Miss Iceberg’ on their date. Erin says he’s a ‘typical
male’.
Grandpa, John, and Jason
are working in the front yard when Miss Emily literally drives her car into the
yard and almost through the fence. She is concerned about Mamie acting
strangely. Her visit is to inform Zeb that her sister is requesting his help.
At the Baldwin’s house Grandpa finds thrips on her
ailing rose bush causing it not to bloom for the first time. Zeb recommends dusting
powder. Miss Mamie also confides in Zeb that the dying rose bush is a sign from
her Papa that this will be her last spring. She wants him to be the executor of
her estate. Grandpa doctors the rose bush but upon
entering the house finds the sisters’ grandfather clock has suddenly stopped.
Miss Mamie thinks this is another sign that her time has arrived.
Ruby and Erin discuss
Ben who is not behaving as a gentleman. Erin suggests
to Ruby that she make Ben jealous. Ben and Jim Bob continue to argue at lunch
so Olivia decides to eat her meal with John at the mill and Mary Ellen takes
her son’s food up to her bedroom thankful he doesn’t
yet talk. In the afternoon Patsy Brimmer arrives with
a picnic basket for a date that Jim Bob has forgotten. With him behind in his
painting, Ben offers to replace his younger brother at the picnic. As Ben and
Patsy walk out of the house, Jim Bob intently looks at the couple while
mistakenly painting the glass instead of the window frame.
The Waltons always
celebrate the end of spring cleaning with a picnic so
Grandpa invites the Baldwin sisters hoping the festivities will brighten Miss
Mamie’s spirits. Excitedly he announces to John and Olivia that they will eat
wienies, marshmallows, and homemade ice cream. While still swinging on the
porch, Ben approaches his parents after his first date with Patsy. Ben boosts
in front of Jim Bob about the good time they had together. In retaliation, Jim
Bob states he will ask out Ruby Davis but Ben laughs, ‘fat chance’. The next day, however,
Jim Bob returns from Ike’s to gloat that he did ask
out Ruby, and she said yes.
Grandpa confesses that
the dusting powder did not help the rose bush and that it is dying. Zeb
reluctantly agrees to become Miss Mamie’s executor.
Jim Bob admits to Erin
that he is nervous about dating an older girl. Erin calms his nervousness by
saying to act normal. On the date, they do have a good time playing pinball.
Returning to Ruby’s house laughing, she comments about what a gentleman that he is and kisses him. But
the next morning the two brothers continue the battle and Mary Ellen finally
tells her brothers off.
At a croquet party held
outside the Baldwin house, the Waltons dress up in old-fashion clothing and
Grandpa spikes one of the punch bowls with the recipe. But
Miss Mamie says she did not receive any enjoyment from it, resulting in Grandpa
knowing something is seriously wrong. As a rain shower suddenly appears everyone runs for cover except for Grandpa who tries
to rescue his sacred punch. Later, Grandpa lectures Miss Mamie about ‘holding
onto life with both two fists’. But she has seen the
signs and does not take his advice to heart. As a last resort
Grandpa tells the sisters that he has a surprise for them tomorrow.
At the movies, Ben
places his arm around Patsy after eyeing Jim Bob with Ruby. Then Jim Bob swings
his arm around Ruby to show his big brother he can do the same with his date.
After the movie the two couples meet in front of the
theatre. Ben pushes Jim Bob after sharp words occur between the two brothers.
Waiting for Grandpa to
arrive with his surprise Jason tells Erin, “I’m glad I’m not in love. I
couldn’t stand to be that happy!’ He makes these comments to his younger
brothers as they stand with their girlfriends but at opposite ends of the
porch. Grandpa soon arrives driving a team of horses for a hayride to the
picnic. The group is singing as they drive up to the Baldwin’s house. Miss
Mamie only says she is ‘too old for such frivolities’.
At the picnic Grandpa invite the sisters to fish. Miss Mamie is not very
happy until she catches a large catfish. With her feet wet
she finally is seen with a big smile on her face and the desire to continue
fishing. While the older generation fish, Jim Bob admits he still likes Patsy
and Ruby admit she likes Ben. When they walk upon the other couple, Jim Bob
observes Ben getting friendly with the girl he likes. Ben takes a swing at Jim
Bob and misses, but Jim Bob returns a solid punch to his brother’s face. As the
two brothers fall to the ground Ruby attends to Ben’s
bruised jaw and Patsy helps Jim Bob up from the ground. Both brothers ask if
the other one is okay.
"Spring that year saw Jim Bob come of age. There was
a new maturity and purpose about him, and it was the last time that anyone ever
thought of him as Ben Walton's little brother".
Erin: Are you still awake, Mary Ellen?
Mary Ellen: I'm trying to finish my letter
to Curt, I've got a lot more to write about now.
Jason: You can tell him that the two sluggers are both fast asleep in here,
moaning and groaning everytime they turn over.
Mary Ellen: OK I'll tell him.
Grandpa: Quiet down up there will you?
Elizabeth: You tired out too, Grandpa?
Grandpa: No, but I have got to get up, at sunrise.
Ben: How come?
Grandpa: 'Cos the Baldwin ladies, they want to go fishin'
again.
Elizabeth:
Goodnight Grandpa!
Notes:
Thrips are a small,
often wingless insect, of the order Thysanopters that are often destructive to
plants.
Her Papa who called it
his ‘Mamie Rose’ planted Miss Mamie’s rose bush.
The Baldwin sisters’
father died at the age of 93 years old.
The malady facing
elderly ladies like Miss Mamie is said by Grandpa to
be called the ‘Tulip Time Vapors’.
Also appearing:
Miss
Emily Baldwin (Mary Jackson); Miss Mamie Baldwin (Helen Kleeb); Ruby Davis
(Heather Totten); Patsy Brimmer (Debbie Gunn).