A season of growing tension, disillusionment, and with the further fracturing of the Walton clan, The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season chronicles the Virginian mountain family's growing realization that the more simple, innocent world they inhabited during the Depression, is rapidly coming to a close due to the oncoming war in Europe. With Richard Thomas now officially gone from the series (he makes two guest appearances this season), the successful, long-running series enters its final phase of seeing the Walton family mature and split apart, before beginning to chronicle the affects of WWII on the American home front. Several episodes here are series' bests, and as always with this marvelous drama, the writing is honest and heartfelt, and the acting first-rate.

I've written extensively about The Waltons (you can view my reviews for Season 4 here, and Season 5 here), for my money the best dramatic series of the 1970s, and I'm always surprised anew after watching one of these boxed sets of 22 episodes, how good this series truly was, and how well it's held up after over thirty years. Consistently well-written and performed, The Waltons is the kind of family drama that I just don't see on TV today: a serious-minded exploration of a kind, loving family enduring personal losses and triumphs, all the while understanding that love and togetherness are the sole worthwhile achievements we can have on this earth. Often accused of sentimentality and manipulation (by critics who can see no value in positive art that actually elevates someone's life, as opposed to that which wallows in cynicism and defeatism), The Waltons dared to be about the simplest things on earth - and the hardest elements to capture in drama: honesty, love, understanding, renewal, and acceptance of life's unpredictability.

But The Waltons was never just a "happy" (and therefore false) show, as it has been mislabeled at times; dark elements of personal disappointment, misunderstanding, hatred, death, and failure have always been central to the stories, as well. Where The Waltons excelled was in tackling these human stories in the first place (in a TV world dominated by cop shows and sitcoms) and finding a positive, uplifting, life-affirming resolution to them. Season Six, however, is a fairly tense, uneasy collection of episodes, which sees the relative tranquility of the early seasons rapidly diminishing as outside forces, beyond the Waltons' control, continue to chip away at the unified family. Of course, the loss of the John-Boy character created a vacuum in the series' dynamic from which it never really recovered. Central to the entire show's framework - the reminiscences of writer growing up in rural Virginia during the Depression - John-Boy's narration (by creator Earl Hamner) cast the series in a nostalgic light, creating a memory show grounded in the lead character's experiences which were front and center in most episodes. For Season Six, though, the narration is still here, but knowing that John-Boy no longer lives at home, we're more aware of this narrative device as just that: a gimmick. John-Boy isn't there on Walton's Mountain, so how does he know about all these events that didn't involve him?

As well, the absence of Esther "Grandma" Walton (star Ellen Corby had suffered a stroke the previous season, and would return here only for the final episode of the season) was a major blow for the writers who counted on her character's irascible stability in the Walton household. Without Grandma Walton around, Zeb "Grandpa" Walton (Will Geer)'s antics lost much of their focus. Rarely referred to by any of the other characters this season, Grandma makes a remarkable appearance for the season's final episode, but if anything, her last-minute arrival only enhances the feeling of overwhelming change and sadness that permeates this 1977-1978 year. Popular character Reverend Matthew Fordwick has left, as well (John Ritter left The Waltons to star in its DNA-opposite, Three's Company), to be replaced by the bland Reverend Hank Buchanan, portrayed by Peter Fox (the biggest problem with this unsuccessful character - he only lasted a year - was that everyone kept saying how wild and unconventional he was...but they never showed him doing anything remotely wild or unconventional). And Dr. Curt Willard (Tom Bower), who married Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) the season before, leaves the Mountain early in the season, called up for the Army Reserves (this subplot was never popular with the fans).

With the time period identified as spring of 1939 for the start of this season, beginning episodes show the gradual prosperity that comes to the Waltons, as the Depression finally starts to wind down, and business activity increases as demands for the soon-to-be burgeoning war effort inevitably ratchet up (The Celebration even has the Waltons up enough on money to burn their mortgage on the new saw mill). But soon, even this hint of prosperity is largely eliminated by the final episodes, where ship building activity on the Virginia coast adversely affects the hill people, where jobs dry up, money becomes scarce, and people move away to find jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty to an even greater degree. Even the very sanctity and isolation of Walton's Mountain is threatened this season. Indians claim that the Waltons are desecrating their ancient burial lands (The Warrior); a vigilante mob, stirred up by war hysteria, force their way onto Walton land and threaten John and his newly hired German immigrant (The Rumor), and soliders train at Drucilla's Pond, bringing the sounds of the coming war uncomfortably close to Walton's Mountain (The Battle of Drucilla's Pond). And finally, death comes to Walton's Mountain, when the first faint whisper of war claims Erin's friend, G.W. Haines, who enlists in the Army and is killed during training practice.

Stand-out episodes this season include The Stray, where a runaway black boy comes to Walton's Mountain and wishes to be John's son. Written by series regular Kathleen Hite (who penned many of the most memorable episodes), The Stray's themes are fairly complex, with Verdie (Lynn Hamilton) eventually adopting the boy (who deeply loves John), telling him that although the Waltons may be kind, they "don't know too much" about his people or culture. The Recluse is a lovely, sad little episode, with a nice performance by Jon Walmsley as Jason, who befriends a tragic recluse who hasn't stepped out of her house since her fiancé died on their wedding day. The First Casualty has Mary Elizabeth McDonough as Erin emoting over the death of G.W. Haines. The Milestone features a subtle turn by Miss Michael Learned as Olivia enters menopause. Spring Fever is a welcome light episode, with David W. Harper's Jim-Bob (probably the most natural, unassuming actor in the cast) and Eric Scott's Ben believably trading insults and blows as feuding brothers. And one of the best episodes of the entire series, Grandma Comes Home, features a stunning performance by Ellen Corby, whose Grandma character must deal with her family's misguided good intentions when she returns home from the hospital, still debilitated by her stroke. Watching Corby struggle with her dialogue while perfectly realizing all the emotions and information necessary to convey her character's conflicted state, is an amazing feat, and a fitting testament to this marvelous actress. This would be the final time that Corby acted with Will Geer, who would die in April, 1978, further adding to the sad, final feel to this episode, and to this melancholy season.

Here are the 22, one hour episodes of the double-sided five-disc box set, The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season, as described on their slimcases:

DISC ONE: SIDE A

The Hawk
The handsome new minister stirs up quite a to-do in the congregation, especially among the ladies.

The Stray
Footprints lead to the barn...and to a runaway lad named Josh who takes a shine to John.

The Recluse
A love of music brings Jason together with a timid recluse whose only companion is a canary.

DISC ONE: SIDE B

The Warrior
Are the Waltons desecrating sacred ground? An elderly Indian claims their barn sits on an ancient burial site.

The Seashore
With the rest of the family at the Baldwin sisters' beach cottage, Ben opts for a devil-may-care bachelor life.

The Volunteer
When Erin turns down G.W. Haine's marriage proposal, he up and joins the Army.

DISC TWO: SIDE A

The Grandchild: Parts 1 and 2
There's a new Grandma and Grandpa on Walton's Mountain: Mary Ellen's baby is born.

The First Casualty
The war hits home when Curt is called to active duty and the first hometown soldier loses his life.

DISC TWO: SIDE B

The Battle of Drucilla's Pond
War and peace. While soldiers train at nearby Drucilla's Pond, Olivia paints scenes of pastoral beauty.

The The Flight
A runaway orphan who plans to join the Army Air Corps sparks Jim-Bob's interest in flying glory.

DISC THREE: SIDE A

The Children's Carol: Parts 1 & 2
A plucky young girl and her mute brother escape the London Blitz to find a new home - and a Christmas miracle.

The Milestone
Not understanding why she suddenly feels emotionally fragile, Olivia turns to her Aunt Kate for advice.

DISC THREE: SIDE B

The Celebration
Goodbye, debt! The family pitches in to complete a big contract that will mean they'll own the mill free and clear.

The Rumor
With Hitler on the move in Europe, some townsfolk greet a new German family with suspicion.

Spring Fever
Don't take her - she's mine! Trouble brews when Ben takes Jim-Bob's girlfriend on a romantic picnic.

DISC FOUR: SIDE A

The Festival
Jason and Josh think they make a great musical team. Other folks think they don't, because Josh is black.

The Anniversary
John and Olivia's 25th anniversary gives everyone the chance to plan surprise gifts...and a surprise party.

The Family Tree
Twelve-year-old Elizabeth tells her solider pen pal she's 18. So when he asks for a photo, she sends one to Erin.

DISC FOUR: SIDE B

The Ordeal: Parts 1 & 2
When Jim-Bob's negligence leads to an accident that cripples Elizabeth, the family rallies to help her recover.

DISC FIVE:

The Return: Parts 1 & 2
John-Boy returns to Walton's Mountain, hoping to boost the local economy by reopening the Guthrie coal mine. But John, Jason, Ben, Jim-Bob and many local men are trapped when the roof of the old mine gives way.

The Revelation
A loving fiancee and an exciting assignment in London. Life is perfect for John-Boy. Then he discovers a secret.

Grandma Comes Home
Great day in the morning! The family is overjoyed when Grandma returns to Walton's Mountain.

The DVD:

The Video:
Again, as with the previous two Waltons DVD sets I've reviewed, the full-screen, 1.33:1 transfers for The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season are, on the whole, extremely shoddy. On The Grandchild: Parts 1 & 2, big, green print scratches are so prevalent, the transfer looks like a public domain copy. It's incredible to me that one of the best-remember dramas in TV history is treated so shabbily. The obviously over-printed, scratched up elements used for The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season are an embarrassment to Warner Bros. and a slap in the face to fans who love this show.

The Audio:
The Dolby Digital English mono audio track accurately recreates the original broadcast presentation, but at times, it's no better than the prints, with occasional warbly, squelchy sound. Subtitles are available.

The Extras:
Despite the fact that the majority of the cast is still around, there are still no extras for The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season, nor would I count on any for future seasons, either. A shame, and another source of embarrassment for Warner Bros.

Final Thoughts:
With John-Boy now gone, The Waltons gradually come to realize that their simple, isolated lives on the mountain, will soon change forever. The family begins to separate, pursuing their own dreams and goals, while the shadow of war in Europe reaches even as far as the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. A tense, unsettled season for this still-powerful family drama, The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season has the final performances of Will Geer, and a triumphant return for actress Ellen Corby. It's a shame that Warner Bros. doesn't have enough respect for this landmark TV series to transfer some decent prints. Still, I highly recommend The Waltons: The Complete Sixth Season.