The Waltons (TV Series) The Gypsies (1973) User Reviews

Good Epiode

[garyldibert · 8/10 · 27 February 2010]

This episode aired on February 1st 1973 and it opened with these words. Times were hard everywhere during the days of the Great Depression; but on Waltons Mountain, we were better off than most. For many, though, it was a time of wandering, of looking for some better place, a new grasp on life, or a change of scene. In addition, I remember when some wanderers came to our mountain one wild, stormy summer night. A band of gypsies is traveling through Walton's Mountain when they become stranded because stormy weather has damaged their caravan. When they break into a house to shelter from the weather though, they encounter distrust and prejudice from the people of the mountain. Their baby is ill though and when the Walton adults try to help, the leader of the band considers it charity and refuses any help. As the baby becomes worse though, he does accept their help and the gypsy family eventually come to trust and become friends with the Waltons. Will the gypsies find there way out of the mountains? Will Grandma find out what's wrong with the baby? What effect will the gypsies have on the Walton children? I like this episode because of Grandma Fury. My Grandmother was like that where she didn't say much but when she talked you listened or it was the wooden spoon. I give this episode 8 weasel stars.

Unsympthetic characters

[karenelizabethchaney · 2/10 · 2 May 2024]

I really disliked this episode because of the unbending, unlikeable Gypsy characters. Their lack of appreciation and complete disregard for those who offered help made them even more unsympthetic. They broke into houses, took what they want, and then left as if they were entitled to take anything they wanted. I realize the Waltons are a loving family but this crossed the line. They never once offered to help, never once showed gratitude, or offered to pay for what they stole as if they were entitled. Had the characters had an epiphany at the end then I might have felt some sympathy for them, but that didn't happen. It's a little difficult to like a character who "bites the hand that feeds them."