The Cradle

This is one of the more complicated episodes to review. It's a subject worth exploring. And I think it's been examined better in other Waltons' stories. The movie seems out of its element with Mary Ellen questioning the virtues of traditional womanhood. It's as if 70s morality is entering in a show set in the 30s. Maybe that's understandable. Yet part of the magic of this series is it avoids the prevailing mores of the 70s and presents them in an entertaining and thought provoking way. Also, there's an element of predictability since we know how the story is going to wind up especially in rerun television. Some of the emotional rollercoaster about whether this is a bundle of joy or burden of anxiety could be dialed back. Too much Elizabeth in this one, too. And is Ben more cut out to be a carpenter or a salesman? Maybe that's a question for another movie. This one does benefit from the steady hands of John and Grandpa.