The Achievement

This was the final episode of season 5, and the final episode as a regular for actor Richard Thomas as the principle character John-Boy. Thomas did guest star briefly in each of the next two seasons, and in reunion movies many years later, however. They hired a replacement actor for the role in seasons 8 and 9, and maintained the existence of the character, but the character's role was diminished significantly.

Without getting into detail, this was a poignant episode of high quality typical of the show, and as sad as it is to witness or experience the end of an era, you must endure it if you are a fan of the show.

What a shame the actor exited this iconic series, which still stands as a significant article of americana, only a bit more than half way through it's 9 season run. He was creating something iconic which would be cherished by so many americans. I guess he thought bigger and better things were in store, but alas, they were not.

John-Boy's decision to leave Walton's Mountain and try his luck in New York City as a writer left two major loose ends that he did not tie up. The first was Boatwright University. Did he graduate? If he did, then why was there no episode about his graduation? Did he drop out? We never learn if he did either one. After Season 5, Boatwright University is never mentioned again. The second was his newspaper, The Blue Ridge Chronicle. Did he sell it? Did he turn it over to Ben? Did he shut it down? We the audience never find out what he did about it. Like Boatwright University, it is never mentioned again. John-Boy must have been in such a hurry to get to New York that he did not take the time to close this chapter in his life, no pun intended,