The Waltons (TV Series) The Festival (1978) User Reviews

Not the best episode but worthwhile

[blndentdumb · 7/10 · 17 July 2020]

Spring 1940 on Walton's Mountain. While it's not the best episode, it touches on points relevant to today. Race relations, young crushes and a mom worrying about her son as he leaves to join the Navy (with war looming). Yes they changed out the actor who plays Josh, but the storyline is what mattered. Todd Bridges originally played Josh, but he landed "Different Strokes" by this time. If you can accept that change, then you should watch it. I enjoy most of the episodes of The Walton's. This one is uncomfortable, but you should watch it.

Uncomfortable?

[dennisglynch · 8/10 · 15 December 2023]

I think that if you find this episode uncomfortable, then that is all the more reason to get people to watch it.is the comfort level there because of the racism that they show, because it would seem to be fairly accurate for the time. Sadly, for today's time as well. Is it uncomfortable because there is a new Josh who suddenly has a new talent? Jia playing was never alluded to before but this show isn't "The Fosters", it's The Waltons. You are supposed to expand your mind in TV shows and accept some things as fact, even though they skip steps. All in all, this is a very good episode as it touches on subjects that some shows would find too edgy(?) to talk about, but that's what made The Waltons a good show.

Walton's The Festival...

[allenjerry50 · 8 April 2022]

I feel it's interesting that you put down this episode because Josh can't play the Trumpet.. I'm a Guitarist and I've seen plenty of shows were actors are portrayed to playing and it obvious that can't... but it doesn't take away from the story... The Waltons are always portrayed as a living family that's excepts everyone even tho they know that there neighbors may not.

Flawed, but it does have moments

[barlowralph · 5/10 · 17 July 2018]

This is one of the very few episodes of The Waltons that I don't much care for, but even so, it has some good moments. However, I find it very hard to accept that little Josh is suddenly a very good trumpet player! This is a story line that the writers/producers must have just pulled out of thin air. It is embarrassingly obvious that the actor has no idea how to play the trumpet. Despite all of that, there are some scenes in which the goals of being unprejudiced and open minded are nicely illustrated. Unless you're committed to seeing every episode, this one is skippable.