03x03 - The Thoroughbred

[bunniefuu]

[Birds chirping]

(john-boy) walton's mountain

meant many things to my family.

it was a source of food

for we took game
from its forests

and fish from its streams.

it was a refuge
in time of trouble

and a link with the
history of our family's past.

and once it became
the setting for a race

that none of us
would ever forget.

Did you get it?

In the back.

That old mule can make it home?

Quicker than that old flivver.

[Whoops]

[John whooping]

(John) got to do
better than that, son.

(John-boy) we had you going
for a little while, didn't we?

(Grandpa) times are a changin'.

Maybe you'd better enter
this old truck in the race.

How can you enter a
truck in a horse race?

Why not? Blue's in the
race and he's not a horse.

This truck has seen better
days but then so has blue.

Next thing we know we'll have to
enter jim-bob racing on reckless.

[Chuckling] that's a swell idea.

I guess I'd better take him up to
the hilly section of the mountain

And get him a feel of what he's
gonna be up against in that race.

You better get him used
to that saddle first, son.

Oh, he won't be any
bother about this.

Come here, boy.

[Whistling] hey!

[All shouting]

Blue!

Blue! Blue!

[Laughing]

Get him!

Oh, that old blue

Don't want any
part of the saddle.

Runnin' like that
he's gonna win.

Well, if those boys moved
that fast with their chores

I wouldn't have to work so hard.

And then, esther,

You would not have
anything to complain about.

Oh, I'd think of somethin'.

Come on, everybody, get your
lunches and get ready for school.

Hey, blue!

I really appreciate you
helping me out like this, walton.

I don't know what happened.
The motor just conked out.

You know, well, that sure
is some car you have, though.

It's a chrysler six. Father bought
it for me when we moved here.

Said it would
boost my social life.

[Laughing] well, I
suspect it does.

Hey... Hey, you in any
big hurry to get home?

Uh, no, why?

Well, why don't we
stop by the cafeteria?

I haven't eaten today
and I'm one hungry man.

Uh, well, I'm not really
hungry but sure, uh, we could.

I'll just watch you eat.

Oh, come on, it's my treat.

Well, it must have
been pretty exciting

Living so close to
new york city. It was.

I bet you miss that
excitement, don't you?

You better believe it. Well.

Everybody around here
seems to live in the past.

All you hear is, "my granddaddy
did this," "my uncle did that."

Well, you got granddaddies
and uncles, I reckon.

Well, sure, but who
wants to hear about 'em.

That's ancient history,
dead as a doornail.

My father's a man
of his time and so am i.

Well, sure, but the point
is... No, buts. You are, too.

You aim to get ahead in this
world. I've been watching you.

Yeah. But what I
mean is... Look, look.

Take professor
henderson's class.

Now, you sure are
on top of it in there.

What do you mean?

Well, he reads every word

You write out loud to the class.

Today's the rd time he's
read one of your compositions.

Yeah. Well, I work
hard in that class.

That... That class
is important to me.

Your composition was
good. No doubt about it.

So was mine.

You get an a, I get a b plus.

There's nothing
wrong with a b plus.

But I don't want to be good.

I want to be the best.

Oh, I see. Well, I'm
afraid I can't help you.

[Girls chattering]

I see you're interested
in the best, too.

That's selena, she's a friend
of mine. I'll introduce you.

Selena?

How are you, selena?

Fine.

Carl jenkins. We met at the
old field party a few weeks ago.

Oh, carl, yes. It's
nice to see you again.

I'd like to introduce
you to a friend of mine.

John walton, selena linville.

How do you do?

Hi.

(John-boy) uh, are you
any kin to the linvilles

Up at thatcher grove?

Colonel seth linville
is my grandfather.

Really?

You see what I mean?

I haven't seen you
around those parts.

Well, I've been in
school up north.

Are you going to be
entering the race? You bet I am.

We figure it's time the walton
name was back on that cup.

Would someone mind telling
me what this is all about?

Oh, it's a... It's a
local thing, carl.

A cross-country race
my family sponsors.

I'm really looking
forward to it.

Uh-huh. So am i.

Would you like
to join us, selena?

No, thank you. I'm
sitting with some friends.

It was nice meeting you. It
was nice meeting you. Thank you.

Bye, carl. Bye-bye.

She is really nice.

I find her a bit provincial.

I was sure you'd like her.

Look, I'm ready
to go if you are.

Ok.

Never seen anything like it.

First they race
through their chores.

Now they're upstairs
finishing their homework

And it's still daylight.

They're raring to
get to work on blue.

Mama, we're all finished.

Everybody? Yup.

Even elizabeth's spelling?

Well, I sort of helped her.

Uh-huh.

Spell "chair."

Um, [whispering] c... C-h

A (olivia) uh, uh, uh.

I

R.

Very good.

How about
"constantinople", grandma?

Want her to spell that also?

Oh, you've got a
nasty tongue, boy.

You want me to
take a switch to you?

(Olivia) all right,
outside, everybody.

Come on, let's go!

We're gonna teach
blue to wear the saddle

By the time john-boy gets home.

You better watch out, or old
blue will put the saddle on you.

(Jim-bob) oh, he likes me.

You be careful anyway.

He could kick you from
here to rockfish river

If he took a notion.

(Ben) he's not gonna see you.

(Erin) hide it, jason.

(Grandpa) don't get behind him!

[Braying]

[All shouting]

That mule's got the same
stubborn streak as esther has.

(Carl) but that's what I mean.

What she was saying
was, is I'm an outlander.

I couldn't possibly understand.

Her family's been sponsoring
this race for generations.

(John-boy) well,
well, it has, carl.

I mean, every year her family
sponsors this cross-country race.

It's nothing fancy but it's fun.

Well, my family
owns horses, too.

In fact, that's
one of the reasons

We moved out
here, to raise them.

[Chuckles]

Carl, my family
doesn't own any horses.

Fact is, I'm just gonna
be riding the family mule.

Look, anything with legs
can be entered in this race.

All they do is just
put the winner's name

On a silver trophy
with the rest.

That's all, just a tradition.

(Carl) stop up here.

There's something
I want to show you.

What do you think?

That is the most beautiful
animal I've ever seen in my life.

(Carl) descended
from derby winners.

How's that for tradition?

(John-boy) he must have
papers on him a mile long.

How do you think he'd
fare against your mule?

You're not serious.

Why not? I'm part
of this area now,

And thunder bay needs
to be kept in shape.

Are you talking about this race?

Yeah.

Well, carl, this isn't
that kind of a race.

This is just... This is just
a bunch of country boys

Getting together
to have a little fun.

It's not a regular
course or anything.

What you're saying is
thunder and I don't belong.

Well, no, that's not
what I'm saying at all.

I just, uh, I just don't see
why you'd be interested.

I think it'd be
good for my horse.

Some new blood

Might make it more fun
for the other riders.

Don't you think?

[Birds chirping]

John-boy! John-boy!
What is it, honey?

Guess what. What?

Oh, that's really great.

Jason! (Jason) thank you.

That's really a good job.

Thank you very much. I'm glad.

(Erin) what's the
matter, john-boy?

Nothin', honey.

Nothin' anybody can
do anything about.

Would you take
this inside for me?

Sure. Thank you.

I really appreciate this, kids.

What's the matter with him?

Beats me.

Looks sadder than blue.

Well, blue,

We are a sorry-looking
pair, the both of us.

[Crickets chirping]

The kids sure did a good job

Getting blue used to that
saddle today, didn't they?

They sure did.

This, this race must be mighty
important to the whole family, huh?

Oh, it is important.

Be nice to get the walton
name back on that cup.

Of course, when I was little,
I know you used to ride in it.

You never did win, did you?

No, I never did.

Last walton to win was
grandpa, back in .

.

I sure tried.

I don't know, maybe, uh, talent
for riding skips a generation.

Well, maybe. Maybe not.

John-boy, are you losin'
interest in this race?

Oh, no. No, really, I'm not.

Ever since you got
back this afternoon,

You've been acting
kind of strange.

You hardly noticed
what the kids did with blue.

I'm sorry, I really am.

I didn't... I didn't show
much enthusiasm.

I... I really do appreciate
what they did. I really do.

You better tell them then.

It's important to them.

I will.

You just wait.

You're gonna be
watching my dust.

You know, I bet you're right.

[Door closing]

[All shouting] hey, y'all!

I'm gonna go run blue up in the
meadow. You want to come with me?

(All) sure! Yeah, I want to!

Hold on there, young'uns. I
think I'd like to go along, too.

Zeb, there's plenty
of work right here.

Oh, esther, they are in
need of my expert advice.

Well, it's needed right here.

I got a list that long
as soon as I get the eggs.

Well, grandpa, we'll tell
you how he does, all right?

Come on, I bet we b*at
you there. Yeah, come on!

Gallop apace, you
fiery-footed steed.

Yeah, that mule has got
plenty of horsepower.

Oh, it seems like yesterday that I
was gallopin' across that finish line.

You remember?

Remember? I thought
you'd break your fool neck.

Oh, I sure wish I was
ridin' old blue today.

Oh, you're too old for
that kind of nonsense.

And, what's more, so is blue.

Age has nothing
whatever to do with it.

It is entirely a
matter of spirit.

And me and old blue's
got plenty of spirit.

That mule has got
what it takes to win.

Well, I don't think so.

You wanna bet?

You know I don't bet.

[Chuckling] oh, come
on, just for fun.

If I lose, I'll be
willing to, uh,

Make you that herb garden
you've been wantin' all along.

You would?

And if you lose?

Well, I could knit you a pair
of those awful argyle socks.

Socks?

Esther, I was hoping

For something a little
more personal than that.

Well, you just go right
on hopin' all you want.

Anyway, blue isn't gonna win,

And I sure could
use that herb garden.

Oh, all right, it's a bet.

It's just between the
two of us? Mm-hmm.

(Elizabeth) john-boy!

(Jim-bob) come on!

[Children shouting]

(Erin) faster, john-boy!

[All cheering]

Come on, push, push!

(John-boy) how did we do?

Seconds faster
than last time.

It's not fast enough.

Well, you'll make up for
lost time on the hilly section.

That's when the
mule'll show his stuff.

It's not fast enough.
Come on, jason, try us again.

(All) come on!

[Children shouting]

Come on, blue! Get
going! You can do it!

Come on, go!

Go ahead, go!

[All cheering]

[All chattering]

How did it go, son?

Not bad at all,
daddy, not bad at all.

(Erin) he even
jumped the big wall.

He didn't do badly at all.

But I'll tell you,
everybody, if he's gonna win,

He's gonna need a lot more work,

So you're gonna
have to help me out.

For one thing, he'll
need more exercise.

Jason, when you come
home from school,

I'd appreciate it if you'd
give him a nice long run.

And when I get home, I'll
take over, all right? Sure.

Ben, after every run, I want
you to give him a nice rubdown.

So it'll loosen up his
muscles so he doesn't get tight

And I want you to feed him,
jim-bob. But grandpa feeds him.

Yeah, but he's gonna need
extra oats, and hay and water

If he's gonna be
strong for that race.

(Erin) I'll brush him. Ok.

Me, john-boy, me.

Well, if you'd like to, you
could soap up the saddle

So it's nice and
soft for my behind.

[Chuckling]

Anyway, starting tomorrow,
I want this mule in shape.

(Olivia) come on,
everybody! Supper's ready!

Good, I'm hungry.

Yeah.

Looks to me like you've got a real
organization set up to get blue ready.

Oh, I'll tell you, daddy.

Before today, I was a
little nervous about it.

But after seeing him do
his stuff, with a little work,

I think we can walk right
into that winner's circle.

If we don't, it won't
be from lack of tryin'.

I'll be in in a minute.

[Grunting]

[Students chattering]

Selena!

[Exclaiming]

Real graceful, walton.

Oh, yeah, I had to...

I had to return these
before the library closes.

I told my grandfather that
I'd met you the other day.

And he was really pleased.

He thinks a lot of
your father, you know.

Selena, if we don't
hurry, we're gonna be late.

All right, carl.

It was nice to see you again.

Bye. (Carl) goodbye, walton.

Excuse me, ma'am, i... I
just have to return these.

Is that all right? Thank you.

They're treating that old
mule like he was made of glass.

Well, I reckon they
want him to win.

We all want that, but they don't
seem to think of anything else.

I hope this race isn't interfering
with your school work.

Oh, don't worry about that.

Mama, the other day
I met a girl at school.

Are you in love again?

Mama.

She's colonel linville's
granddaughter.

Her name is selena.

Selena linville. I remember her.

She was a real pretty little
thing. I haven't seen her in ages.

Well, she still is a
pretty little thing,

But she's been going
to school up north.

You gonna ask her out?

You reckon she'd
say yes if I did ask her?

Well, why wouldn't she?

Well, I don't know. The linvilles
are pretty high-society people.

John-boy, are you trying to say

You don't think you're good
enough to ask selena linville out?

Or that she wouldn't
think you were?

Well, no.

Yes, I am. That's
exactly what I'm sayin'.

I don't like to hear
you talking like that.

Well, I don't particularly
like to feel like that.

But the truth is, I've sort of been
feeling out of the running lately.

Anyway, I don't know what a
boy like me has to offer to a girl

With a fancy family like that.

John-boy, you have
yourself to offer.

Which, in my opinion,
is considerable.

Even for high society.

[Sighing]

[Ben and erin arguing]

What's going on in here? Be
quiet. What are you two doin'?

Erin won't let me give blue a
rubdown. She keeps on tickling him.

That's a lie, ben walton. Do you
know what happens when you tell lies?

You go to the bad place!

Erin, will you calm down?

You don't have to
get so excited about it.

Well, I'm just trying to
help, but ben won't let me.

Help? Every time I
start to massage his leg,

You start brushing
him and it tickles him,

So he keeps on movin' around
and I'm gettin' cramps in my side.

If you ask me, the
whole thing is silly.

Nobody did ask you, mary ellen.

I mean, we know you don't
care too much about this race,

But you don't have to
ruin it for the rest of us.

That's not fair. I do too care,

But you don't want
me to do anything.

There's plenty for you to do
if you want to do something.

Like what? Everyone
else is already doing it.

The feeding, the
grooming, the rubdowns.

There's nothing left.

You really want to do something?

I said so, didn't i?

Uh, well, I'll tell you, there
is somethin' you could do.

Uh, I sort of want
blue to look as,

As good as any of
the horses in this race.

And I thought maybe it'd be
nice if he had a saddle blanket.

Maybe with his name embroidered
on it or something, you know.

Oh, you know I can't sew.

Maybe grandma could help me.

I'll give it a try. One
horse blanket coming up.

Thank you.

You know, mary ellen's
almost nice lately.

(John-boy) well, I guess
she's becoming a lady, erin.

It never happened to you.

John-boy, could
you please tell ben

That I intend never to speak to
him again? I wish I could believe that!

Hey! I have a great idea. Why
don't you just work out a schedule

Of who's gonna work
on blue at what time?

And that way you won't get
in each other's hair, all right?

Ok, I'll massage him for
one hour right after supper

And then you take over, erin.

Well, thanks a lot, ben!

Now what did I do?
You didn't do anything.

It's just mary ellen and erin are
just both becoming ladies, I guess.

One at a time
would be ok with me.

Well, we just have to stick it
out till the worst of it's over.

Then comes elizabeth.

You're right. Come on.

[Both chuckling]

(Selena) uh-oh, I'm
late. Thanks, carl. Bye.

Anytime.

Hello. (Selena) oh, hi, john.

I can't stop, I'm late
for my history exam.

Bye. Bye.

Hey, carl.

Selena's one rare
beauty, isn't she?

Yes, she sure is.

Real quality. Yeah.

More than that, she knows
quality when she sees it.

Oh, I reckon she would.

Yeah, I took her out to
meet thunder bay yesterday.

Did you?

Yeah. She and thunder
just got along famously,

Like they were long-lost buddies
or something. Well, that's nice.

Yeah, it takes a thoroughbred
to know a thoroughbred.

By the way, how's
old blue comin' along?

Oh, old blue mule. Well, he's,
uh, coming along pretty well.

Listen, carl, I got to go to a
biology lecture. I'll see you later.

Well, maybe. Listen,

I'm taking selena out to the
farm again this afternoon.

I promised her she
could ride thunder.

Want to join us? No, thank you.

I would, but I've got to go
run this mule when I get home.

See you later.

(Colonel) mr. Roswell,
nice to see you.

Colonel. Planning on
trying for the prize?

Got me a new mule. I
figure she's a shoo-in.

Well, here's john-boy now.

You figure that animal of
yours is as fast as old blue?

Well, got her from a
moonshiner. She's used to runnin'.

[Laughing] well, I hear
you talking, mr. Roswell,

But, old blue here's
got children, adults,

And grandma's chickens rooting
for him, so you'd better watch out.

Hey, ike.

Sign right up here,
john-boy. Thank you.

Now, what I want to see
is my grandpappy's name.

(Ike) right here, .

(John-boy) zebulon walton.

You must be john walton's boy.

Yes, sir.

Colonel linville.

Oh, how do you do, sir?
Glad you're gonna be with us.

My, uh, granddaughter's
been telling me about you.

It's about time your family was
back in the running for this cup.

Well, we thought so.

I remember the first
time I saw your grandpa

Come flying across
that finish line.

When he raced, people
talked about it for months.

Well, that's good to hear.

Now maybe you can bring some
of that excitement back for us.

Well, I aim to try.

Good. Thank you.

See you saturday. See
you saturday. So long, ike.

Good luck, john-boy.

[Grunts]

Whoa.

What happened to you,
walton? You take a spill?

Well, I was gonna jump the creek,
but I decided to take a swim instead.

I'm heading for ike godsey's
general store to sign up for the race.

That the right direction?

Yeah, it's about a
half-a-mile or so up the road.

Much obliged. Be seein' you.

(Jim-bob) I bet
blue'll win by a mile.

I'll bet he'll win
everybody by miles.

Will they put john-boy's
name on the cup or blue's?

(Jason) john-boy's. Daddy,
can I race blue next year?

(John) I don't see why not, son.

(Mary ellen) can I
race him after that?

Why don't we just wait and
see how he does this year

Before we worry about
ridin' him next year?

Don't you think
blue is gonna win?

Blue is gonna do the best he
can, that's all we can hope for.

I was talking to ike. He says it's
a pretty good line-up this year.

I hear old roswell's
entered that new mule of his.

Hmm. Jenkins' farm has put
one in, too. Thoroughbred.

What's a thoroughbred?

It's the best kind of
horse there is, honey.

Is blue a thoroughbred?

[All laughing]

A thoroughbred. Why is
everyone laughing at me?

Blue's a mule, honey.

That means he's part
donkey and part horse.

Hmm.

Well, maybe he's
part thoroughbred.

[Chuckling]

Well, ike godsey's
down there at the store

Polishin' up that old cup
so it's bright and shiny.

(Grandma) and you were
probably hovering right over him

Making sure that zebulon walton

Shines brighter
than all the rest.

Well, I must confess, it does
shine out above all the others.

John-boy, are they really
gonna put your name on the cup?

Oh, well, only if I win, honey.

(Olivia) all right, you children.
Y'all have homework to do. Scoot.

Come on, off you
go. Scoot, come on.

Get a move on. You,
too, young lady.

Oh, stop that.

You too, mary ellen.

I already did mine
this afternoon.

Oh, well, good, then you can
help me finish up in the kitchen.

Ok.

Now, whatever happened
to the old mary ellen?

I don't know, but I sure hope the
new one stays around for a while.

[Laughing]

Surprise.

Stop that!

You're up bright and
early this mornin'.

Well, I got an early class. I
wanted to get my chores done.

Aren't you gonna
eat any breakfast?

No, I don't have
time, mama. Sorry.

[All chattering]

Excuse me a minute, ok?

John.

Oh, selena.

You know, if I didn't
know you better,

I'd swear you've
been avoiding me.

[Chuckling] I have not.

Well, it doesn't
matter. You're here now.

I just wanted to talk
to you about the race.

You know, carl's
entered his horse

And he says you're probably
his stiffest competition.

Well, he's probably jokin'.

Maybe he was.

He said you were
entering a mule.

I am.

That could be interesting.

Uh, is he a fast mule?

Yeah, for a mule
he's right fast.

[Bell ringing]

Oh, no, I'm late for my class and I've
already missed one exam this week.

Uh, why don't we
have lunch together?

All right.

I'd like to hear more
about that mule.

[Laughing] one thing I
know a lot about is mules.

All right. :
At the cafeteria?

Uh, ok.

All right, bye.

Bye.

(Grandma) no, no. No,
wait just a minute. Here.

Now, there. Now hold this.

Oh, it's hopeless. I'm
just not any good at this.

Now do you think I was born
with a thimble on my finger, child?

It takes practice.

And a blanket for a mule's
a good thing to practice on.

Oh, grandma.

Now, I thought that
would please you.

You're doin' fine, real fine.

Do you really think so?

(Grandma) well, I know so.

John-boy's gonna be so pleased,

And blue's gonna
look just beautiful.

[Sighing]

Oh, miss linville.

Yes, professor foster.

I spoke to the chairman
of the department. Uh-huh.

He's agreed to let you make
up that test that you missed.

But you must do it today. I
can give you the time now.

Oh, but I have an
appointment for lunch.

Well, miss linville, I'd hate to
see you lower your average.

[Sighing]

I see. Um, all right, I'm ready.

[Ticking]

[Clears throat]

[Selena sighing]

Thank you, professor foster.

You're welcome, selena.

Hi, selena.

Oh, hi, carl.

What's the matter?

Well, I was supposed to
meet john walton for lunch

And I missed our date.
He must think I'm awful.

Look, I haven't eaten yet. Uh,
want to join me at the sweet shop?

Um, i... I guess so.

Come on.

[Car engine starting]

[All cheering] (jason)
come on, boy!

(Jim-bob) come on, blue!

That's the way,
boy. That's the way.

Oh, he's getting better,
you know that? Yeah.

Plait this in his forelock. Ok.

Oh, ribbons are for girls.

Well, blue's not really a boy
or a girl, so it doesn't matter.

John-boy. Come here, john-boy.

What?

Beautiful?

What is that? That's the
stupidest thing I've ever seen.

Who's idea was that? What was
his time? About seconds faster...

What do you mean
about seconds?

I want to know exactly what
his time is. That's very important.

Well how can i... Who's in
charge of grooming this mule?

He looks like he hasn't
been brushed in a week.

Well, I brushed him
until my arm hurt.

Well, that's not
good enough, erin.

I guess I'm gonna
have to do this myself.

I'm really disappointed
in all of you.

[Birds chirping]

John-boy, what's
the matter with you?

Nothin', why?

You hear how you were
talking to those children?

Daddy, everything I
said was the truth.

They haven't been
working hard enough.

Blue has got to look better
than any other animal in that race.

He's got to be in
better condition

And his coat has
got to be shinier.

They've been working their
fingers to the bone, son.

You got to remember
blue is only a mule.

Carl jenkins is planning to come
ridin' in there, dressed to the nines

On that blue-blooded
racehorse of his.

And all he wants to
do is make blue and me

Look like a couple of
country hound dogs.

And I aim to show him
who he's dealing with.

John-boy, I don't think I
want you riding this race.

What?

I don't want you representing
the family with that kind of attitude.

This race has to be
run for the fun of it

And you're turning it into
a mean and spiteful thing.

I always planned on winning this
race. Don't you want me to win it?

Yeah, I want you to win, but I want
you to win with the right spirit.

You're not gonna feel good, son,

Winnin' this race just to prove
you're better than someone else.

Well, that's all he's been
doing, right from the start.

He's not my son. You are.

If you can't ride this for the
sport of it, please don't ride at all.

[Knocking at door]

Come in.

Morning, john-boy.

Grandpa.

I thought I would give you
something for the race today.

Woodrow wilson.

That's a campaign
button of .

I had it pinned onto me
when I won my first race

And thought maybe you'd like
to have it for today. Good luck.

Oh, well, I hope it brings me the same
kind of luck it brought you. Thank you.

Have you figured out how
you are going to win this race?

I'll tell you.

I've gone over every square inch

Of that course in my
mind all night long.

I've gone over every
square inch of that course

In my mind's eye all night
and there are certain things

You've got to know,
if you're going to win.

Grandpa, I really don't think I
ought to have any unfair advantage

Over these other riders.

I'm ashamed of you, john-boy.

Are you insinuating that
I wouldn't do anything

But what is fair and square?

What's on your mind?

First of all, john-boy,
you get off the flatlands

As soon as you can.

You like to do
things the hard way.

There's nothing a mule likes
better than to do it the hard way.

It's finished.

Ah.

Oh, that's fine, just fine.

Thank goodness
"blue" is a short word.

Well, stop admirin'
it and get goin'.

At least he may
look like a mule,

But he's gonna
run like a rabbit.

(Mary ellen) hold on! Don't
tie it yet. Here's the blanket.

That's pretty, honey.
Aw, that's gorgeous.

Put it right on
here, right here.

I still can't believe
that you made it.

I did most of it anyway.

At least it's not pink.

(John-boy) here we are.

Oh, mary ellen,
that is beautiful.

Thank you.

Mary ellen, that is a
genuine work of art.

It sure is. Listen, thanks,
everybody, for what you've done.

I'm sorry if I've
been mean about it.

And anyway, I don't
mind telling you

That I am one
nervous country boy.

I'll see you all there, ok?

Good luck. See you down there.

Let her rip. Let her rip.

[All cheering]

John.

John walton.

(John-boy) hello.

I know you must think I'm awful,

But I have to explain
what happened yesterday.

No, you don't.

But I do.

You see, I was on my way
to meet you when I found out

I had to take my
history make up test

Right then or I'd
lose my chance.

Come on, I saw y'all
down at the sweet shop.

Well, carl just came along
while I was looking for you.

Really.

I do hope you'll forgive me.

Well, doesn't sound to me
like there's anything to forgive.

Just sounds like a
misunderstanding.

John?

Would you do me the honor of
being my escort after the race?

Well, yeah. I'd like
that, thank you.

(Mary ellen) john-boy!

Well, there's the clan.

Hey, john-boy!

(John-boy) hey, how
are you? Over here!

There's enough of them.

This is selena. This
is selena linville.

Hi. Hi. How do you do?

My grandparents.
This is selena. Hello.

Oh, my! Last time I saw
you, you were so high.

all right, riders,
mount your animals!

bring them to the starting line!

Good luck, john-boy.

Good luck, john-boy.

John-boy, you can do it.

We'll see you.

[All chattering]

Elizabeth, come on, quickly.

(Jason) come on, everybody.

You're going to
do just fine, son.

(Selena) all in one family?

All in one.

Selena.

Hello, carl.

(Grandma) now there's a winner.

Bettin' against the waltons.

Just one walton.

Traitor.

Mr. Walton.

Ike.

Zeb, zebulon walton.

Colonel linville,
here we are again.

I suppose you're here to gloat

If the walton name
goes back on the cup.

Well, no ifs, ands,
or buts about it.

John-boy walton's
name will adorn that cup.

Yeah, it might, and
then again, it might not.

Would you care
for a little wager?

Huh, yes, I would,
but to tell the truth,

I've already got a wager
on with a... A certain party.

All right, zeb, good luck.

Yeah.

All right, everybody.

[Clearing throat] riders, could I
have your attention, please?

Before the race, we're gonna have a
few words from colonel seth linville.

[All applauding]

Ladies and gentlemen,
competitors,

You all know what
kind of a race this is.

There is only one rule
you have to abide by.

Get yourselves up to the old
tree at the top of the mountain,

Circle it, and then
get back down here.

Now, it doesn't matter how
you get up there or back,

But you will be disqualified
unless you circle the tree.

Mr. Godsey here will
be stationed there

To check you off as you go by.

Now choose that
route that you think

Will get you up there and
get you back the fastest.

Have a good time,
good luck to all of you,

And may the best entry win.

[Crowd cheering]

All right, everybody.

Is everybody ready?

Colonel linville?

[People cheering]

All right, come on, everybody

We'll go up to the old
tree and see john-boy race.

Can I ride along, too?

(John-boy) giddap
now, giddap now!

Giddap, giddap, giddap!

Come on, blue,
move! Giddap, giddap!

[Riders commanding]

Giddap, giddap!

Giddap, giddap!

Hey, everybody, here they come!

[All cheering]

John-boy! Come on, john-boy!

Hey, old blue! Ride 'em, blue!

Ride 'em, blue! Ride
'em, blue! Come on!

Shame on you. Betting
against your own grandson.

Ride 'em, blue!

[All cheering]

[All continue shouting]

[Hissing]

[Neighing]

[Neighing]

[Horses neighing]

[Neighing]

[All shouting]

(Jim-bob) here we go.

(Erin) come on.

They're comin'! They're comin'!

[All clamoring]

[All cheering]

Blue boy!

[Whooping]

[Shouting]

Esther, I'll make you
a herb garden anyway.

Zeb, what color
socks do you want?

Oh, esther.

[Yelling]

[All cheering]

[All cheering]

[Grandpa shouting]

Carl!

What a race!

(Carl) congratulations, you won.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, I'll tell you,

Oh, another feet and
you would have had me.

That's no lie. If it
wasn't for that mud.

I know. He can really run,
can't he? You bet he can.

Next time, there ain't
gonna be... Next year?

Yeah, next year.
Ok, that's a deal.

You two are a mess.

Come on, let's go
get some lemonade.

Ok, but he's buying.
All right, I'm buying.

[All cheering]

(john-boy) that sense
of pride and confidence

that my mother and father
instilled in us as a family

was shaken occasionally.

but in all, it stood
us in very good stead.

when we left walton's mountain

and went to make our
way in the larger world,

we were always able to fall back

on those rich and true feelings

that we learned as children.

(Elizabeth) john-boy?

(John-boy) yes, elizabeth.

When blue dies,
will he go to heaven?

I expect so.

(Grandma) now,
john-boy, you be careful

What you tell that child.

Heaven's for people,
not for mules.

(Grandpa) old woman, you're
just mad 'cause you lost that bet.

I am not mad.

And move your
feet, they're cold.

(Jim-bob) if blue doesn't go
to heaven, where will he go?

(John-boy) well, maybe, uh...

Maybe to a special
heaven for mules, jim-bob.

Good night.

(Jim-bob) good night,
john-boy. Goodnight, elizabeth.

(Elizabeth) goodnight,
jim-bob. Goodnight, blue!