The first day at Boatwright College is full of complications for John-Boy Walton.
John-Boy tempers honor with mercy when he defends a freshman football player whom he has accused of cheating. Ben discovers the dangers of smoking.
Would-be newspaper publisher John-Boy battles to scrape together enough money for an old printing press.
The Walton family helps an old friend of John-Boy's who is convinced he has no future because has been physically disabled during World War II. Ben and Ike become "song and dance men" as their contribution on the war effort.
A father attempts to have a memorial made to commemorate his son who was killed in Vietnam.
