All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S08E07.The.Journal.WEBRip.x264-ION10

During the day
I have absolute faith

that John-Boy's alright.

But at night,
it's a different story.

Is he alive? Is he a prisoner
of war? Is he wounded?

We'll get some help.
We should go to the Red Cross.

I can't promise
anything at all. I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I know a lot of other families
are going through this just now

but it doesn't make it
any easier.

This is desperately
important to us.

I know what it is to wait,
Mrs. Walton.

We found out
your son was missing

when we tried to contact him
about his manuscript.

We knew John-Boy
had been keeping a journal

but we didn't know he had
enough material for a book.

It's powerful stuff
and very marketable right now.

(John)
'What do you want from us?'

Our attorneys feel that you and
Mrs. Walton can sign for him.

- Sign for it?
- As next of kin.

You're making it sound
as if he's dead.

Liv, I'm just telling
you how it is.

We have to find a way
to go on living.

I'm getting tired of you
trying to calm me down.

Now, look, Liv--

Seems like your answer
to everything is to hug me

and tell me that everything
is gonna be just dandy.

- Liv, listen to me--
- I don't wanna listen to you!

[theme music]

[music continues]

(John-Boy)
There is something
in a mountain

which gives strength
and stability

to those who know it well.

Its timeless slopes
make troubles seem smaller.

We were to draw on
that strength many times

during the anxious years
of World War II.

But those years
brought troubles of a kind

we had never known before.

The pain of separation
from loved ones

who were sent overseas

and who might have become
casualties or prisoners of war.

The agony of waiting.

[melancholic music]

Liv, come to bed.

I'd just keep you awake
with my tossing and turning.

Honey, you got to get
some sleep. Come on.

Every time I close my eyes

all I see are
young boys being killed.

Liv, missing in action
can mean all kinds of things.

During the day
I have absolute faith

that John-Boy's alright.

But at night,
it's a different story.

Is he alive?
Is he a prisoner of war?

- Is he wounded?
- Honey.

You're just gonna have to be
patient till we find out.

I keep having
this horrible dream

that John-Boy's lying wounded
in a field somewhere

waiting for help
that never comes.

I can't keep sittin' on my hands
waiting for another telegram.

Well..

We could try to find some help.

We can go to the Red Cross.

I've done volunteer work
with the ladies in Rockfish.

All they do is roll bandages.

There's a bigger
chapter in Richmond.

Why don't we go there?

- Tomorrow?
- Liv, it is tomorrow.

Let's get a couple of hours
sleep, we'll get an early start.

[melancholic music]

Last call for breakfast.

Darn it. I dropped a stitch.

[tongue clicking]

Girls who saygolly
andgoshanddarn

will wind up
living alone in a barn.

Oh, swell.

How are you this morning, Erin?

Oh, tired of being tied
to a desk week after week.

- 'Excuse me.'
- I know just how you feel.

Can't be worse than riding
around on a horse

in the hills all day.

(Elizabeth)
'When do you go back?'

Depends how soon
I get the things I need.

The medical supplies
are being shipped

you know
how the mail is.

- Mornin', everyone.
- Hi.

Sorry we're late.
Cindy wasn't feeling too well.

I've indigestion,
something awful.

Cindy, heartburn's
a very good sign.

I had it bad.

And no woman
ever had an easier time

giving birth to a baby
than I did.

'Hey, did mama and daddy
already come down?'

They left for Richmond
at the crack of dawn.

They won't be back until late.

Daddy didn't mention anything
about business there.

They went to the Red Cross.

(Rose)
'They're looking for news
of John-Boy.'

I sure hope
they find out what happened.

I'm not sure I want them to.

Cindy, Elizabeth
is teaching me how to knit

'and I'm gonna make
a baby blanket.'

Or would you
rather have booties?

(Cindy)
'Oh, no. Blanket's
just fine.'

How you comin'
with your sweater?

- I keep dropping stitches.
- 'You'll get the hang of it.'

Just wish I knew
Albert's exact size.

(Jim-Bob)
'That should be
a cinch to figure out.'

When he bends down to kiss you,
how far does he have to lean

before his lips press
passionately against yours?

(Serena)
'I was in love with a boy once.'

He kissed me..

...and that ruined it.

I hardly know Albert.

We just danced once
at the Home Front Canteen.

Why are you putting so much time
into that sweater?

He's going overseas.

You're supposed to do things for
boys that are going overseas.

- Uh-huh.
- Go swallow a frog.

Did you feed Reckless today?

Hm. She won't eat.
I think she's sick.

- Let's go have a look at her.
- Thank you.

How long has she
been like this?

She acted pretty sad yesterday,
but she ate all her food.

Her nose is dry.

So is mine.
Is that bad?

You'll live.

It means Reckless
doesn't feel too good though.

Go get it, girl! Get it!

She doesn't even
wanna play.

She's been through this before.

Maybe we ought to take
her to a doctor.

We got some medicine that always
makes her snap out of it.

I'll go get it.

[instrumental music]

Attagirl, Reckless.

You're the best dog I ever had.

(John)
'Two days after the telegram
from the War Department'

we got this letter
from the adjutant general.

We haven't heard
anything since.

We weren't told where he was
before he was reported missing

or any other details.

Where was he
the last time he wrote you?

We think it was Sicily.

All we know is that
he was covering the invasion

for the army paper
The Stars And Stripes.

We have this article,
he sent us a copy of it.

Maybe there's
a clue in here we missed.

It seems to have been
written weeks

before he was reported missing.

I'm sure the War Department
has looked into all this.

Anything else you think
I should know?

That's about it.

Many persons
listed as missing in action

are subsequently reported
as prisoners of war.

'Since this information
is furnished by the countries'

'with which we are at war'

the War Department has no way
of expediting these reports.

'However, the Red Cross
maintains strict neutrality.'

We have access
to all military hospitals

and prisoner of war camps.

'I'll ask our
Washington office to cable'

'our Central Tracing Agency
in Geneva'

'and a search will be launched
for your son immediately.'

Are there any questions?

Have any idea
how long it will take?

I can't promise anything
at all. I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I know a lot of other families
are going through this just now

but it doesn't make it
any easier.

This is desperately
important to us.

I know what it is to wait,
Mrs. Walton.

[instrumental music]

[bell ringing]

Hey, Jeffrey,
what can I do for you?

- 'Can I just look around?'
- 'Yeah, sure.'

I'd buy something,
but I don't have enough money

to buy what I want.

Hmm. What is it that you want?

Well, Reckless is sick

and I just wish
I had some type of dog toy

that could cheer her up.

Well, maybe we got something
here that might work.

Let's take a look.

Hey, how about this?

- Hey, she'd like that.
- Now, wait a second.

How much you got
in your pocket?

A nickel.

Well, I'll be darned.
That's exactly what it costs.

I'll take it. Thanks.

[bell ringing]

Mr. Godsey, how can children
be expected to learn

the values of life
if adults deceive them?

Oh, come on, Corabeth. He didn't
want the ball for himself.

'He was trying
to be generous and thoughtful'

for somebody else.

I believe that children
should be taught

to face the realities of life.

Once again, you've made
the same mistake

that you've made time
and time again with Aimee.

If I've been
such a bad father

then how come Aimee has grown up
to be such a lovely young lady?

Ah, but who knows what heights
she might have scaled

had she received
firmer guidance?

'Why, this very moment
she might be on her way'

'to becoming a,
a fine artist, a writer'

a world-famous
concert pianist..

[bell ringing]

Hi.

- Hey, Ike, Corabeth.
- Hi, kids.

Here are some things
Rose needs for supper.

- And I need some more yarn.
- You know where it is.

Aimee, Elizabeth's here!

Mr. Godsey, please,
I wish you wouldn't shout.

It sets such a bad example
for the young people.

I didn't get quite enough,
I guessed wrong.

I've got enough for two sweaters
and I'm just making a muffler.

Then maybe
we should switch soldiers.

- Not on your life.
- I can't say that I blame you.

Philip's dreamy, isn't he?

Well, Albert's not that bad,
it's just he's kind of immature.

Ike, can I have three of these?

Yeah, that's 75 cents.

- Add it to that, Ike.
- Yeah, sure.

[bell ringing]

Tell me, Ben..

...have I been a bad father?

That's a dumb question, Ike.

- Come on, tell me.
- Of course not.

'I think you're
a very good father.'

Well, I just worry
that I'm letting Aimee down.

What's gotten into you, Ike?

I tell you, Ben

wondering whether
you've been giving the girl

the right kinda guidance,
it really shakes a man.

Uh, you wouldn't know
what I'm talking about.

Well, I've taken care
of little kids before.

You just gotta do what you think
is right and that's that.

But it's different
when it's your own daughter.

Hey, you're gonna
be figuring it out

pretty soon yourself.

No, I'm not.
I'm gonna have a son.

Bye-bye.

[melancholic music]

[car door closes]

Rose. What are you doing?
Waiting up for us?

Is everything alright?

You had a long-distance call
from Washington this evening.

- Say who it was?
- It was a Mr. Henshaw.

Now, he said
it had to do with John-Boy

and that you were to call
no matter how late you came in.

The number's over
by the phone, John.

Yes. Mr. Henshaw?

Yes.

You've heard from our son?

Oh.

Yeah, we could talk
to you tomorrow.

Yeah, I'll be here all day.

Bye.

It's John-Boy's
publishing house.

- He's written another book.
- John--

No, Liv, he sent
the manuscript long before

he was reported
missing in action.

I just know they're going to
find him soon. God love him.

Now, you come in the kitchen
and let me fix you a snack.

I'm not hungry.

No, thank you, Rose.
We'll just go to bed.

[melancholic music]

Come on, put the ball
in your mouth.

Come on, come on.

[toy squeaking]

Sometimes a dog
just likes to be left alone.

She's sick, real sick.

I don't think
the medicine did any good.

Oh, she'll be alright.
Besides, you better get going.

All the kids
are ready to go to school.

- Come on, Jeff. Get going.
- You're not the boss of me.

Mary Ellen, how do you
handle a little kid

that doesn't listen to you?

You havin' trouble with Jeff?

Everything I say to him,
he does just the opposite.

Bet he and Serena
were real devils

before Aunt Rose
got a hold of them.

Sometimes they still are.

I can't blame them
with a father like that.

We just have to be
very careful with them.

You're right.

I guess, I've been
just going about it all wrong.

Thank you.

What you got there?
Can I have it?

It's still dry.

Actually, you can tell more
by looking into the dog's eyes.

Nothing to worry about.
She's already doing much better.

Are you sure?

She'll be fine by the time
you're back from school.

I sure hope so.

'Now, you run along
or you'll be late.'

I guess so.

Here, you might feel better

before I get back
from school. So..

I think I ought to give lessons
on how to make children obey.

What if she isn't better
when he gets home from school?

I wasn't kidding.

You really can tell
by looking into the dog's eyes.

'Maybe a vet can.'

Well, grandpa did.
I do what he told me to do.

You just shouldn't
build up his hopes

unless you're absolutely sure.

'You ready to go in? Come on.'

Reckless?

Hey.

Any reason why you're out here
in the middle of the day?

Same reason you keep
coming to the house for a drink

when there's a bucket of water
at the mill.

- No sign of him yet?
- 'Not yet.'

We probably know more about
what happened to John-Boy

than Mr. Henshaw does.

It'll be a chance
to talk about him.

I'm hungry
for every detail I can get.

Does that look
like a publisher's car?

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

- Mr. Walton?
- Yes, sir.

I'm Paul Henshaw.

Henshaw. This is
my wife, Mrs. Walton.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

- My son, Jason.
- Glad to meet you.

- Furlough?
- Three-day pass.

Come in. We have
a lot to talk about.

Thank you.

Can I get you anything?
Some coffee or something?

No, thanks. I'd like
to get right to business.

- Have a seat, Mr. Henshaw.
- Thank you.

We found out
your son was missing

'when we tried to contact him
about his manuscript.'

Do you know our John-Boy?

I'm in the business department.

I've never met him,
but I feel like I know him

through his writing.

- Tell us about the book.
- It's calledG.I. Journal.

His impressions
and observations of the war.

Talks with pilots,
GIs in foxholes and in tanks.

It's powerful stuff
and very marketable right now.

We knew John-Boy
had been keeping a journal

we didn't know he had
enough material for a book.

The manuscript has
a flavor all its own.

- Do you have it with you?
- No, but we'll get you a copy.

(John)
'What do you want from us?'

I have a letter here
from your son

and, uh...I'd
like you to read it.

As you can see

he was hoping that our firm
would be the publisher.

We sent him a contract.

The unopened envelope came back
stamped,"Missing In Action."

You can't publish it?

Our attorneys feel
that you and Mrs. Walton

can sign for him.

- Sign for it?
- 'As next of kin.'

Next of kin?

You're making it sound
like John-Boy's dead.

Sorry, Mrs. Walton,
I didn't intend that at all.

- What did you intend?
- Nothing, honestly.

We just want to get the book
out as soon as possible.

Mama, John-Boy wouldn't have
sent them his book

unless he wanted them
to publish it.

Jason, will you stay
out of this, please?

(John)
'This has come on us
kinda sudden.'

We're gonna have to have
a little time to talk this over.

There's nothing to talk over.

I'm not signing anything

as though John-Boy's not coming
back to do it for himself.

I didn't intend to upset
anybody, please believe that.

Your son has written
a fine book

and we're anxious
to get it into print.

Forgive me if I've
acted too hastily.

She's been through a lot lately,
Mr. Henshaw. We all have.

Right, uh, alright if I get
in touch with you later

in case you've
changed your mind?

- Just give us a little time.
- Alright.

[dramatic music]

Bye.

[instrumental music]

Just thought I'd drop by
for these fabulous pickles.

How'd you know
they're fabulous?

I read John Walton Jr.'s book,
Walton's Mountain.

Ooh, he described
this store to a T, didn't he?

He sure did. The place
and the proprietor.

And how did he describe
the proprietor's wife?

To a T.

You know, uh, John-Boy
is missing in action now.

Yes. I'm with the company
that published his first book.

Came down here to talk
to his parents

about a new one
we wanna publish.

- Still a nickel?
- A nickel a pickle.

Oh, uh, just a minute.

It-it just, it just so happens
that I've got a photograph

of John-Boy and I standing
out in front of the store.

It'll be marvelous to use
as an illustration in your book.

There aren't going to be
any illustrations.

You could use it on the cover.
All the books have it now.

I hardy feel that a picture
of you in your shirt sleeves

with John Walton Jr. at the age
of 12 would be appropriate.

Sir, I myself
am an authoress, a poetess.

Perhaps you would like to glance
at some of my verse?

I wish I had the time,
but I'm very busy.

"Hark, now that spring is here,
oh, what lovely sounds we hear.

"'Whispering breezes,
babbling brooks'

birds singing in secret nooks.
Bees are buzzing--"

I'm terribly sorry.
But I do have to leave now.

Well, perhaps you would like to
take some of my verse with you?

- We don't publish poetry.
- 'Ah, but you should.'

Remember, in the words
of the immortal Shelley

"Poetry is a record of the best
and happiest moments."

Excuse me, I have
an appointment. I'll be late.

[bell ringing]

Too bad he didn't
publish poetry, Corabeth.

This could've
been your big chance.

Oh, well, I doubt that
I'll go with him anyway.

I would be interested
in an older

and more distinguished
publishing firm.

Yeah.

[water gushing]

Remember that summer we went
camping up on the mountain?

Just the two of us?

As I recall,
it was our anniversary.

One month.

I caught a beauty of a fish
and you cooked it.

- It was a wonderful day.
- It was a wonderful night too.

I laid awake for a long time
after you went to sleep.

Looking up
at the stars and thinking..

...there's some kind of miracle
happening inside of me.

Liv.

There's no way
you could've known that.

I know I couldn't
have known it, but I did.

With you next to me
breathing so slow and deep

and the sky talking
down at me. I knew.

Now you're gonna tell me
you knew it was a boy too.

You wouldn't
believe me if I did.

So many memories.

All those years
watching him grow.

Going out on his own..

...and becoming somebody we not
only loved, but were proud of.

[melancholic music]

Now I'm talking about him
as if he's part of the past

and I don't wanna do that.

Oh, honey.

[sighs]

It's so hard not knowing.

Not being able
to do anything about it.

Signing or not
signing that contract

won't change what's
happened to him, will it?

No. We ought to
think about it, Liv.

[music continues]

Mufflers take so long.
I should've done socks instead.

Try knitting
a sweater sometime.

Baby blankets are hard too.

You're doing fine, Serena.
You're all doing good.

Still trading sweaters
for kisses, Elizabeth?

Do you think I should
embroider my name

and address on the muffler?

So Philip remembers
who knit it for him?

And writes me
all during the war.

Maybe when he gets back, we'll
fall in love and get married.

I've been looking all over for
Reckless. Has anybody seen her?

She probably just strayed off.
She'll be back.

- Reckless is missing.
- Well, here she is.

Hey, Reckless,
I'm sure glad to see you.

I had to go to Rockfish
and she wanted a ride.

- Is she feeling better?
- She chased a squirrel.

[Reckless whimpering]

Why'd she cry?

Uh, you must've
touched a sore muscle.

I took her to the vet. He says
there's nothing he can do.

He says we oughta put her to
sleep. Says she's suffering.

She can't be.
She's not that old.

We've had her for seven years

we don't know how old
she was when we got her.

You wouldn't let the vet
put her to sleep, would you?

(Mary Ellen)
'We may have to.'

Well, any sickness
can be treated.

If she's in pain then treatment
would only drag it out.

(Mary Ellen)
'You wouldn't want her
to suffer, would you?'

You shouldn't have
told Jeff she was better.

I didn't have the heart
to tell him the truth.

You're not doing the boy any
favors by giving him false hope.

'Someone has to tell him.'

[melancholic music]

(Mary Ellen)
'When a dog's suffering
and having no fun'

'it just doesn't wanna go on.'

But maybe she can
start having fun again.

We'll watch for a few days
and hope for the best.

(Mary Ellen)
'Sick dogs are
like sick people.'

Sometimes they get better
when doctors think they can't.

- Do you think Reckless will?
- I don't know, Serena.

You said you could tell
by looking at her eyes.

Jeff.

Being a father is not as easy
as I thought it would be.

Whatcha doing?

I'm rereading
this letter

from the adjutant
general's office.

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Walton.

"The personal effects of an
individual missing overseas

"are held by his unit
for a period of time

"and are then turned over

"to the effects
quartermaster for disposition

as designated by the soldier."

It's all so cut and dried.
Personal effects, disposition.

Honey, getting his effects
isn't gonna make any difference.

It'll mean the army's
given up on him.

They do that in every unit.

They keep the belongings
for a set period of time.

I'll tell you what.

Let's call the Red Cross
right now.

Miss Fisk, would you come
in here a moment please?

(Miss Fisk on intercom)
'Yes, Mrs. Denman.'

[phone ringing]

Red Cross, Mrs. Denman.

Yes, this is John Walton.
I'm here with my wife.

We just wondered
if you'd heard anything yet.

Mr. Walton, your boy
was a reporter

for Stars And Stripes,
is that correct?

That's right.

'I'm sorry,
but we've had no word.'

'We're still waiting
for a reply to our cable.'

(John)
'You haven't
heard anything at all?'

Here, let me talk to her.

Mrs. Denman,
this is Olivia Walton.

Isn't there something
we can do?

Uh, make phone calls,
write letters, something?

You can help by waiting
for us to notify you.

Trust us, we're
doing everything we can.

Thank you.

They're doing
everything they can.

We're doing
everything we can

and nobody's doing
anything at all.

I guess these
things just take time.

You're beginning
to sound like Mrs. Denman.

Liv, I'm just
telling you how it is.

We have to find
a way to go on living.

I'm getting tired of you
trying to calm me down.

Now, look, Liv--

Seems like your answer
to everything is to hug me

and tell me that everything
is gonna be just dandy.

- Liv, listen to me--
- I don't wanna listen to you!

I'm sick of it.

I'm sick of listening to you
and Rose and Mrs. Denman

and everybody else,
I'm sick of it!

Don't you think I care?
He's my son too!

[sighs]

Will you listen to us?

I'm sorry, John.

I love you.

Honey, we keep this up,
we'll both be out of our minds.

Now, listen, we'll
keep after Mrs. Denman.

We'll go to Richmond
twice a week if we have to.

Time for bed, Jeff.

I think I'll stay
here and sleep.

Can I get you
a blanket or something?

Nah. Reckless seems to be okay.

I don't think so.

Did she have
any of her supper?

Just a piece
of chocolate fudge cake.

Don't give her any
more of that, okay?

Why not?

That stuff is a little
rich for a sick dog.

You told me she'd be well
when I got home from school.

That just shows how much
you know about dogs.

'So why should I listen
to what you say?'

Jeffrey, I really
thought she'd get well.

Then why did you
take her to the vet?

Because she got
worse during the day.

'I kept an eye on her'

''cause I knew you
were worried about her.'

You're keeping her awake,
she needs to sleep.

Goodnight, Jeff.

[Reckless panting]

Don't worry, Reckless.

They're not going
to put you to sleep.

I know a nice, cool cave
where you can rest

and I can visit
you every day.

Until you're better enough
to even chase rabbits.

I was out this way and I dropped
by to apologize for any offense

I may have caused you
the other day. Thank you.

I'm often told
that I'm too enthusiastic.

Sometimes it gets
me into trouble.

But I certainly didn't mean
to hurt anyone's feelings.

I'm sure you meant
well, Mr. Henshaw.

I guess you came by to see
if we've changed our minds?

Well, I'd be lying
if I tried to deny that.

(John)
'Mr. Henshaw, we've been
talking about this and..'

...we feel it's
what John-Boy wants.

Well, good.
Sign for him then.

Now, here's the contract.

It's a standard contract,
much like the one he signed

when we published,
Walton's Mountain.

- What do you think, Liv?
- There's nothing to it.

It just authorizes us
to go ahead with publication.

We take care of all details,
rights, promotion, distribution.

What do you mean by promotion?

'You see, this project
has tremendous possibilities'

magazine rights, radio spots,
personal interviews.

After all, we're dealing with an
author who's missing in action.

(Henshaw)
'He may even have given
his life for his country.'

'It's a very
dramatic situation.'

Yes, it is.

Are you planning
to use the fact

that our son is missing
in action to sell books?

Exactly.

'We're thinking of getting
Life or Look Magazine'

'to do a pictorial
on your family.'

'Your, uh, sacrifice
for the war effort.'

Oh, I assure you
our company doesn't go in

for...tasteless exploitation.

Sounds to me like
what you're talking about

is tasteless exploitation.

Well, there's no harm
in promoting a good book.

Look, let me tell you
how our business works--

(John)
'We don't care about
your business, Mr. Henshaw.'

I don't think
I wanna sign this, John.

(John)
'We're not gonna
sign this thing.'

That's final, so no use
dragging this out.

I'm sorry.

[dramatic music]

[rooster crowing]

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

[rooster crowing]

[cow mooing]

Attagirl, Reckless.

And no barking or we're sunk.

[rooster crowing]

[music continues]

We're almost there, Reckless.

Yeah, I know you're tired.

I'll tell you what.

When we get to the cave

you can sleep
for the rest of the day.

You're gonna be fine, girl.

Pretty soon you're gonna be
well enough to come home.

You're feeling better already.

You like it out here
in the woods, don't you?

[leaves rustling]

Hey, a rabbit.

[Reckless barking]

Reckless, slow down, girl.

You'll knock yourself out.

Stay, girl, stay.

Reckless, wait for me.

[barking continues]

Reckless, where are you?

Hey, Ike.

Oh, the ladies' hearts
must flutter

as they watch that handsome
sergeant come waltzing by.

I've gotta beat 'em off
with a stick alright.

[Ike laughing]

Ike, I'm looking
for something for Mary Ellen.

She's going up on the mountain
pretty soon.

Thought I'd get
her a little present.

There's something else
you can take along.

- A package came in a while ago.
- For Mary Ellen?

No, it's for your mother and
father. First class, registered.

Got eight bucks worth
of postage on here.

Really looks like
it must be important.

Got a little beat up,
didn't it?

Yeah, the return
address got torn off.

- I wonder where it's from.
- I haven't the foggiest.

Well, maybe I better wait
for your daddy to come by, huh?

Oh, I think I
better take it, Ike.

He's not gonna
be home until late.

Here's a dollar
for the compact.

What do you think it is?

You think it might be, uh

John-Boy's personal effects?

The compact was 89 cents, Ike.
I'd like my change.

[birds chirping]

(Mary Ellen)
'Jeffrey, where have you been?'

'Your grandmother's been calling
everywhere for you.'

I was out in the woods
with Reckless. She got lost.

I figured you
were out with her.

Don't worry, Jeff.
I'm sure she'll be back.

- How far from home were you?
- Real far.

Let's go.
I'll help you find her.

Cindy, will you
look after John Curtis?

He's upstairs napping.

[dramatic music]

- Reckless.
- Reckless.

Reckless.

Reckless.

Jeff, you stay with me
or you'll get lost.

Reckless.

Reckless.

Reckless.

Reckless.

Reckless.

Reckless.

(Ben)
'Reckless. Reckless.'

(Jeff)
'Reckless.'

I found her, over here!

[instrumental music]

Reckless.

I was afraid
we'd never find you.

But you had fun, didn't you?

[music continues]

I'm afraid we're not gonna
have to put her to sleep, Jeff.

(Mary Ellen)
'She's dead.'

It's my fault.

I shouldn't have
brought her out into the woods.

If she didn't wanna go, you
couldn't have made her budge.

If it wasn't for me,
she'd still be alive.

It's my fault.

I killed her.

[melancholic music]

Jeff...you shouldn't
blame yourself.

A dog usually knows
when it's gonna die.

So it goes off all by himself.

It dies alone.

Did you know that about dogs?

I never had one before her.

Reckless hasn't been having
any fun lately

she's been in a lot of pain.

But you saw her today
chasing a rabbit, didn't you?

That's what you wanna
remember about Reckless.

She died a happy dog.

[music continues]

Thank you.

[instrumental music]

- Mrs. Denman?
- Mr. and Mrs. Walton, isn't it?

Yes, we were in town
doing business

we thought we'd drop by
and see if you'd heard anything.

Oh, please sit down.

I've been trying
to reach you all day.

I have some news.

(Mrs. Denman)
'Early this month, your son
returned to London from Sicily.'

And on the seventh, he went
along as an observer

on a bombing mission.

His plane didn't come back.

Do you have any
idea what happened?

Well, it isn't official, but we
learned from Stars And Stripes

that it was hit
by anti-aircraft fire

'and went down
over occupied Belgium.'

'Nobody knows
whether the plane crashed'

'or made a forced landing.'

Is that all you know?

For now.

'But they're still
checking hospitals'

'and prisoner war camps'

and as soon as we
hear anything definite

we'll let you know immediately.

[dramatic music]

I wish you knew our John-Boy.

You don't know
what it's like, do you?

Mrs. Walton...
I got one of those

War Department
telegrams last year.

My son went down on the Hornet.

His body was never found.

I'm so sorry.

He hasn't left us, has he?

No, Liv, he hasn't left us.

Whatever happened to the
airplane, he hasn't left us.

[instrumental music]

[car door closes]

- We thought you'd be in bed.
- We couldn't get to sleep.

(Mary Ellen)
'We were hoping
you'd have some news.'

I do. But sit down.

It's been an awful
hard day.

With worrying about John-Boy
and having to bury Reckless

that sweet old dog.

Is Jeffrey alright?

He's alright now.
They're sound asleep.

Jim-Bob gave a sermon and we all
said a prayer for John-Boy.

We have some news.

John-Boy was on an assignment
for Stars And Stripes

and his, uh...plane went
down over Belgium.

Oh, my God.

- Is he dead?
- No.

We don't know.

(John)
'We're not gonna give up hope.'

Daddy.

[music continues]

It's a letter from Henshaw.

"G.I. Journal
by John Walton Jr."

There's some
other stuff in here too.

- Chapter 11.
- It's Chapter 12.

He wrote that his typewriter got
smashed in Tunisia, remember?

He said he ran out of paper.

"Some of the bomber crews
in Sicily

"had been on as many as 30
missions without a rest period.

"Though they were
full of laughter

"and bantering good nature

"they knew that the law
of averages was against them

"and they worried about it.

"The only clue to this was
that they talked more

"about the folks back home.

"Childhood memories, anecdotes
about families and friends.

"That's the way it is
when you're secretly afraid

"your number is up...
as I know from experience.

"Your thoughts go back
to the past..

"...and to the people you love.

"Something I've been secretly
afraid of for a long time

"finally came to pass.

"I was asked if I wanted
to go along on a bombing run

and with a crew that had flown
27 consecutive missions."

Couldn't this be the mission
that he didn't get back from?

No, honey.
This was in Sicily.

His plane went
down over Belgium.

Go on, daddy.

(John)
'"I had seen many formations
of bombers from the ground'

'"and tried to imagine
what it would be like'

'"to be in one of the planes.'

'"I found out when I flew
with them as an observer.'

'"We ran into a hailstorm
of flak.'

'"Then came the fighters.'

'"This couldn't be happening.'

'"It was all like a bad dream.'

[dramatic music]

'"Memories of what
I'd seen in the war'

'"began to rush
through my mind.'

'"The Battle of Britain.'

'"The faces
of the people in London.'

'"I saw again the GIs
I had traveled with in Tunisia'

'"and in Sicily.'

'"And in all the faces
that flashed before me'

'"there was that look
of determination'

'"that will not let us give up
until the war is over'

'and victory is ours."'

[melancholic music]

I think we
should share this, Liv.

I think we have to.

(John-Boy)
The book was published
and brought comfort

to many who wanted
an honest report

on their loved ones overseas.

And those were
the people for whom

G.I. Journal was written.

(Mary Ellen)
'Has anybody seen John Curtis?
He's not in his bed.'

(Ben)
'He was in here a while ago'

'I thought he went back
into your room.'

- 'How could you lose him?'
- 'I was brushing my teeth.'

(Mary Ellen)
'John Curtis.
Everybody check around.'

'I'll look downstairs.'

[piano music]

'Oh Lord, another
musician in the family.'

'Come on, John Curtis.
Time for bed.'

(all)
'Goodnight, John Curtis.'

[theme music]

[music continues]