The Waltons: Season 8

My daughter’s favorite show.

I've now watched 8 of the 9 seasons of the show which I missed during its original run. Some random observations. Ralph Waite was the constant rock of the show. In the earlier years, of course, the character of John Boy was front and center. The other kids, especially in the very earliest seasons, were part of the background and almost irrelevant. Of course, Richard Thomas departed and that was that. When he departed, it allowed the actors playing the other kids to emerge. Michael Learned all but disappeared in these later seasons to pursue other opportunities. Her absence wasn't believable. Even when John Boy returns she was absent. A different actor playing John Boy was ridiculous and almost painful. Will Geer tragically passed away after his best season on the show. His character became more lovable in the absence of his stern wife. Corabeth was an annoying busy-body. Ike was another rock of the show and always lovable. The Baldwin sisters gave the show real atmosphere, but the character of Emily jumped the shark when she couldn't distinguish the younger Ashley Longworth from the original. Peggy Rea as cousin Rose was terrific and more than compensated for the absence of mom and grandma. Both mom and grandma were religious nuts and often annoying. The actor who played Rose's little monster of a grandson was very good. Judy Norton was a better actor in the earlier seasons as the tom-boy Mary Ellen than she was in later seasons. Her breakup with David to marry Kurt wasn't believable and Kurt looked old enough to be her father. Mary Beth McDonough (Erin) was drop-dead gorgeous by season 8, although she could be prissy. Season 8 was the best season for Kami Cotler, Elizabeth. Jason and Jim Bob were very likable characters. Ben, possibly with a Napoleon Complex, was always ready to fight. It was always painful to see Ellen Corby unable to speak beyond a syllable or 2.I've loved watching this show and think it's one of the greatest dramas ever on television. One more season to go!

This is not an impartial review. Season Eight, as is the entire TV series, The Waltons, is what TV shows of this type should be, in my opinion -- strong, believable characters, and strong, believable stories that most people, regardless of race, gender, religion, etc., could relate to and identify with at a deep level. The only agenda I have ever noticed with these shows (and I have watched every episode of the Waltons several times over and over again) is the attempt to portray solid family relationships, solid moral foundations, and a realistic portrayl of an ordinay family with ordinay struggles (and I believe that true for both country and city people). Earl Hamner, the creator of the Waltons, fashioned the original Walton characters from characteristics of his own family, but the many other show writers injected enough differences and introduced enough new characters to keep the show fresh and interesting the entire time it was on the air.In Season Eight, even though Grandpa is gone - anytime he is mentioned either by something he said or someone looks at his picture, it is like he's right there. When Grandma has short cameos in these latter years because of Ellen Corby's illness, it's like she was never gone. That's high quality TV writing. As I see it, there is not a lot of difference between 1936-1945 and 2009 in the world when it comes to what really matters and what's at stake. War is war. Tyranny does not change much. Economic woes come and go. What endures through all of that is the human spirit and the strong family connectedness.Season Eight continues to maintain the same high quality as all previous Walton seasons have. I highly recommend Season Eight and all other seasons of the Waltons to anyone interested in really fine TV viewing.

Much has been said about the Waltons losing its soul with the absence of John Boy and Grandpa. In the later seasons, we also see grandma and Olivia much less, and new characters appear to fill an otherwise very empty home. In season 8, a new actor appears to play the role of John Boy. He really does a very nice job, but I certainly understand how it is difficult not to think "that's not John Boy!" Even Olivia comments upon first seeing him in the hospital after returning from being MIA that she hardly recognizes him. I imagine that was intentional fun on the part of the writers. Nonetheless, the writing is still excellent, and if you can get past the absence of some wonderful characters, there is still much to love as the series continues.On a more practical side to this review, when I ordered this DVD set, disc 3 was missing! Very strange, since the product was shrink wrapped when I received it. However, Amazon was very helpful, and they immediately shipped another copy to me, and it arrived well before I had found time to navigate my way through the first two discs. It came, complete, and in excellent condition. Thanks for the great customer service.

We love all the Walton Videos. Some of the content wasn't as good as other years, in this video - more romance and less story in some of the shows. It was a little disappointing to have Olivia off the show for the last half of the season and they had a different John-Boy, which it probably would have been better to just leave him off those shows than replace him. Good actor, but hard to replace Richard Thomas in that role after all those years. It was nice to have Grandma in a couple of the shows. Rose and the children are cute additions. One of our favorite shows had Rose teaching Ike to dance - very funny. It was nice to have Amy back in a couple of shows as well.

Every season is a MUST buy for every Walton fan. Season 8 welcomes the return of John Boy. Of course it's not Richard Thomas so you just have to go with it. No one can replace the original John Boy.

So happy. I now have every complete series of The Waltons. I just loved The Waltons as a teenager growing up in Australia. Always thankful I didn’t live in the era the series was built on. Realistic family life. Many heart warming & breaking episodes. Excellent

The Walton's series is great.

My 9 year old is collecting all the Waltons series - it is great for all the family and carries sentiments that would do us all good today - only sad that we have nearly got them all now!! Unfortunately this set did not work at all so I had a distraught child on Christmas Day. I am endeavouring to return it - will see how that goes! Films bought from same seller worked fine.

It was good to catch up with the family.