Anyone who is familiar with my writing knows that I love old TV, and I certainly appreciate the place of The Waltons in TV history. The original series lasted for nearly a decade, and the characters – based on Earl Hamner’s real-life family which inspired both this franchise and the book and film Spencer’s Mountain – have endured for generations. Last year, The CW brought back The Waltons for The Waltons Homecoming, which yielded some of the best ratings on the network for the entire year. This Thanksgiving, The CW welcomes them back… for Thanksgiving, of course.
Almost all of the cast from last year’s movie is back for the Thanksgiving installment A Waltons Thanksgiving, aside from Ben Lawson, who is replaced by Teddy Sears (The Flash) in the role of the Walton family patriarch John Sr.. With no offense to the previous performer, Sears feels like a more natural fit, and in many ways portrays the character a lot like Ralph Waite did in the original show — kind and caring, but also gruff and forceful when he needs to be. His chemistry with the kids of the family as well as the returning Bellamy Young as Olivia really works.
Going into this, know that at its core this is exactly what it says on the package: This is The Waltons. There aren’t going to be superpowers, or mystical creatures, murderers or anything else you might see on The CW, but it is a family story, which is something we’re seeing less and less of. As with the original series, this movie takes place a long time ago – 1934, if you want to be exact. I still think the house they use for the family is a bit too nice-looking and wish they had created some sort of replica of the exterior of the original show, but at least it looked a little more run down than it did last time around. I know we don’t tune in to TV to be sad, but part of the concept is that this is a family that got through the Depression era with so many children — yet, at times the family looks really well off. The original show handled this so well and I hope that with hopeful future installments this aspect is remembered. Likewise – and I know I’m nit-picking here – the signs at the “Harvest Festival” the family goes to looked like clip art from the year 2022. Is it really that difficult to make things by hand? On the bright side, though, the costuming is great.
Partly because this is the second movie and many characters have already been established, the cast and characters also seemed to grow. Grandma is feisty as she should be, and each of the kids seem to get more to do as we learn about them. A storyline with Mary Ellen and Jason was particularly fun, and we get to see and learn more about the people in the Waltons’ orbit. I also really like the interactions between Elizabeth, Jim-Bob, and a young boy called “Red” – it’s Red’s story that fuels a lot of the emotion in this one, and I don’t think it’s spoiling to suggest that storyline will likely end exactly the way the audience would like for it to. If anything, this movie illustrates why it would be advantageous for The CW (or any place) to do The Waltons as a regular series at some point, so each of the characters in this large cast get to shine more individually. But, I will say there is quite a bit of shining here, and I liked that a lot. I’m also very glad the same cast of kids from the first movie returned, because I can see how audiences could connect with this cast.
A lot has been said about The CW’s future after this season, what with their new owners. While I really, really, really hope Nexstar finds a way to keep some spots open to renew some of the shows I love on the network, something like The Waltons might be perfect for their “new” brand: Appealing to all ages, and with ancillary money coming in from other production partners, possibly even affordable to put on the network every week. If ratings are good for this one, I would not be at all shocked if this happens in their future… and the more shows with decent ratings this “new” CW has, the more likely it is that we’ll get more Kung Fu, Superman & Lois, Walker, Winchesters or whatever else you’d like to see continuing beyond 2023.
Finally, the classic TV fan in me is quite grateful that Executive Producer Sam Haskell chose to retain the classic Jerry Goldsmith theme music from the original series. It really sets the tone for The Waltons, as does the inclusion of original “John-Boy” Richard Thomas with the introduction and the narration. The only thing missing, really, is a formal opening credits sequence with sepia tone photos. Perhaps when and if they go to series we could get that? But for a classic TV feeling and something the entire family can enjoy over the holidays, A Waltons Thanksgiving should hit the spot, especially with all that has been going on in the world in recent times. Wouldn’t it be nice to, say, watch someone agonizing over being a judge of their mother-in-law’s pie? Or be taken to a world where there are silly sisters with a special “recipe?” Or how about going to a church where the singing voices sound as heavenly as Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. sound? I seem to think all of those things sound great.
GRATEFUL FOR ALL – The depression has affected everyone, but John Walton (Teddy Sears) has found a way to provide for his family through the farm and by picking up odd jobs from the eccentric Baldwin Sisters. It’s also the time of year for the Annual Harvest Festival Fair, where carnival rides, talent shows and pie contests become the center of attention for the Waltons, who plan to participate in everything. As the story unfolds, John Boy (Logan Shroyer) learns the true meaning of taking responsibility, Mary Ellen (Marcelle LeBlanc) comes to understand patience and collaboration, and Olivia (Bellamy Young) shares her healing heart with every other Walton family member – at a time when each of them need it most. And when a young boy enters the Waltons’ world, everyone’s life is changed in ways they could never have imagined – transformed forever through love, faith and kindness! Christian Finlayson, Tatum Sue Matthews, Samuel Goergen, Callaway Corrick, Jacinte Blankenship, Rebcca Koon and Alpha Trivette also star, with special guest appearances by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. The movie was directed by Joe Lazarov. Original airdate 11/20/2022.
Specials
Specials -- “A Waltons Thanksgiving” -- Image Number: WALa_0140r -- Pictured (L - R): Marcelle LeBlanc as Mary Ellen Walton, Tatum Sue Matthews as Erin Walton, Billy Davis Jr. as Brother William, and Marilyn McCoo as Sister Harriet -- Photo: Chris Reel / The CW -- © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2 Comments
Growing up watching Waltons Mountain & for the past 5 or so years watching the re-runs, I was not as all pleased with the cast or the story-line. I felt the story was weak & nothing about the house familiar. The original Olivia was strong, the new Olivia seemed fragile, even when she spoke. The original John Walton, Sr. was also strong, but with a gentle side. He did not look polished – he was a hard worker & it showed on his face & hands; not so with the new Sr. Grandma & Grandpa can never be cast anew because they were priceless in character & in looks. The story of Ben’s adoption – who would buy that? I would rather watch the original Waltons re-runs over & over again (in sequence) than to watch a cheap remake — that’s exactly how it felt to me — cheap. I have seen Bellamy & Teddy in several other series & I have never been impressed with their acting skills. Bellamy is over dramatic & Teddy is always weak.
I am sorely disappointed. It took all I had to sit there & finish it. If this cast is used to recreate the Waltons series, I will not be watching.
This was not thought out…this was a huge mistake.
Thank you for showing the Walton’s thanksgiving and I look forward to more from you if Possible! Children now, though they may know poverty, don’t remember what it was like during the depression…… god willing they won’t have to, but is a good thing to be made aware of…