In 1969, John-Boy is a TV news anchorperson in New York and he is in the throes of writing a new book. He and a very pregnant Janet are making plans to return to Walton's Mountain for the celebration of John and Olivia's 40th wedding anniversary. Accompanying them to see the place John-Boy lived as a child is Aurora, a Time magazine photographer, who is doing a story on John-Boy. Meanwhile, Elizabeth arrives back from her travels and announces to Drew, who is still working at the mill with Ben, that she is back to stay. She is very upset to find that Drew did not wait for her, and that he has a new girlfriend. Also, problems arise for John-Boy and Janet because the longer John-Boy stays on the mountain, the more he becomes convinced that he would like to settle down there, raise his family, and continue with his writing whereas Janet wants to stay in New York.
Acting
Richard Thomas slipping back into John-Boy like no time passed
Production
Walton's Mountain recreation hits every sentimental note
Director
Bill Corcoran
Richard Thomas
John-Boy Walton
Ralph Waite
John Walton
Michael Learned
Olivia Walton
Jon Walmsley
Jason Walton
Judy Norton
Mary Ellen Walton
Mary Elizabeth McDonough
Erin Walton Northridge
Eric Scott
Ben Walton
Kami Cotler
Elizabeth Walton
Sydney Walsh
Aurora Jameson
Kate McNeil
Janet Gilchrist Walton
Ellen Corby
Grandma Walton
Tony Becker
Drew
Peter Crombie
Calvin Weeks
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the sixth and final Walton reunion movie, airing after Ralph Waite's real-life political activism had made him temporarily leave acting.
Richard Thomas had been replaced by Robert Wightman for seasons 8-9 of the original series, making this his first return to the role since 1977 — and yes, they address exactly none of that on screen.
US
