Ep 15. The Ferris Wheel

The Ferris Wheel is the fifteenth episode of the fifth season of the beloved TV series The Waltons. Set in the early 1940s in rural Virginia, the show follows the lives and struggles of the Walton family as they navigate through the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II.

The episode begins with the Walton siblings – John-Boy, Mary Ellen, Jim-Bob, Erin, and Elizabeth – eagerly anticipating the arrival of the carnival that has come to town. They are particularly excited about the Ferris wheel, which promises to be the biggest and most thrilling attraction at the carnival.

As the family sits down to dinner, they discuss their plans to visit the carnival the next day. John-Boy, who has been struggling with writer's block and is behind on his schoolwork, is hesitant to go, but his siblings convince him to take a break and have some fun.

The next day, the Waltons head to the carnival, where they are immediately drawn to the bright lights and festive atmosphere. They ride the various attractions, including the carousel and the bumper cars, before finally making their way to the Ferris wheel.

However, once they are on the ride, things quickly take a turn for the worse. As they are being lifted higher and higher into the air, the Ferris wheel suddenly comes to a screeching halt, leaving the Waltons stranded at the top.

The family members are initially frightened and unsure of what to do, but they quickly band together to figure out a way to get themselves down. They try calling out for help, but no one hears them over the din of the carnival. They also try to use their weight to rock the ride back and forth, but this only causes the Ferris wheel to creak and groan ominously.

As the hours pass, the Waltons begin to grow restless and anxious. John-Boy is particularly worried, as he had promised to complete a school assignment that was due the next day. He tries to focus on his work, but the constant movement and noise of the carnival make it impossible to concentrate.

Meanwhile, the rest of the family is forced to confront their fears and anxieties as they are stranded high above the ground. Mary Ellen, who has been having doubts about her upcoming wedding, starts to question whether she really wants to go through with it. Jim-Bob, who has always been fearless, suddenly finds himself struggling to keep his composure. And Erin and Elizabeth, who are both quite young, become increasingly frightened and upset.

As the afternoon turns to evening, the Waltons begin to lose hope that they will ever be rescued. They start to get hungry and thirsty, and they worry about what will happen if they must spend the night on the Ferris wheel. Even John-Boy seems to have lost his usual sense of optimism, as he contemplates the possibility that they might never get down.

Just when it seems like all hope is lost, a group of carnival workers finally hear the family's cries for help. They rush over and begin working to free the Waltons from the Ferris wheel. After several tense minutes, they are able to get the ride moving again, and the family is lowered safely to the ground.

Despite the terrifying ordeal, the Waltons are ultimately grateful for the experience. They realize that they all had the strength and courage to face their fears, and that their bond as a family is stronger than ever. As they head back home, they reflect on the importance of coming together in times of crisis and finding joy in the small moments of life.