By Lisa Origlieri
Packaged with the same simplicity one might expect of the Waltons, The
Waltons: Season 1 is as basic as DVD collections come. This five-disc
set contains the 24 original First Season episodes and nothing else.
Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Depression-era Virginia, The Waltons
chronicles the daily lives of a uniquely close country family of 11. Based on
the life and writings of Earl Hamner, Jr., The Waltons plays
out like a nostalgic version of the current WB series 7th Heaven.
As the oldest child and co-narrator of each episode (sharing this duty with
his own character’s inspiration – Hamner, Jr.), John-Boy Walton
– played by Richard Thomas – looks after his six younger siblings
and bridges the gap between kids and grown-ups, lending each an ear for their
concerns and stories, and then squirreling the episode’s lessons away
in his journal.
In Season One, the Walton family opens their doors to a deaf child, carnival
workers, a traveling minstrel, and even a famous New York City actress. Amongst
the trials and tribulations of the mountain’s natives: John-Boy falls
in love for the first few times, Mary-Ellen gets into her fair share of fist
fights, both contemplate leaving home and exploring more exciting cities, and
gallons of the Baldwin’s famous recipe are prepared, and the season comes
to a close when Olivia is diagnosed with polio.
The collection is packaged in a five-panel flat foldout. Each disc rests on
a clear plastic sheet, underneath which is a still photo of members of the cast.
These photos also appear in the DVD menus. On the reverse side of the foldout
packaging is a complete disc and episode breakdown of Season One. The discs
themselves are all double-sided; three episodes on either side of Discs 1-3,
five episodes on Disc 4, and the season finale only on Disc 5. When folded up,
the back side of the foldout lists the cast as well as the Emmy Awards won by
the show and its performers during the 1972-1973 season.
There’s not much else to say for this set. I’m not a very big fan
of the dual-sided disc. It’s not always the easiest thing to read and
it’s a very unattractive way of presenting a DVD. The lack of bonus material
was also surprising to me. The majority of the cast is still around, a lot of
them still acting. Surely at least one or two members of this ensemble cast
could be reached for an interview or archival material. I’d be surprised
if Earl Hamner, Jr. wasn’t interested in lending his voice once again
to the show in order to provide a commentary track for any of the episodes.
I’m a fan of the show and I know I might’ve gotten a kick out of
a photo gallery showing the actors but also the Hamner family members that inspired
the series.
As it stands, The Waltons: Season One does provide 24 hour-long
stories of “the good ol’ days” and that’s quite a lot
to digest itself. The episodes have held up well over the past 30 years. Nothing
is said on the packaging about the season being digitally or otherwise enhanced
for the DVD release, but the show looks as good as if it had aired yesterday.
As for what you hear, the only available language track is English, however,
French subtitles are optional.
Much the same as the stories within, The Waltons: Season One
is basic but never base. Fans of the show and its tales of simpler times will
find hours of entertainment and warm feelings of nostalgia within these five
volumes. But don’t expect this anthology to delve any deeper than what
you’ve already seen. The Waltons: Season One is just
that.
DVD rating: B
Show rating: A-
Overall rating: B+
