Why John Boy is Not My Favorite Character
Given my Walton heart, fans may be surprised to learn that John-Boy is not my favorite character. Overall, I do like him, along with his passion for life, empathy for others, problem-solving acumen, and love for family. But as is true for loved ones, their best characteristics can flip upside-down to annoy you. So, here are my three reasons John-Boy’s character bothers me:
1. Born a Full-Grown Man: As a writing instructor myself, I teach students that transformation is key to a strong story. Metaphorically, it begins with a seed and ends with a tree. The main characters must undergo a metamorphosis and transport the audience to a different place from where they began. But for John-Boy, you don’t see the rite of passage that generates growth. Rather, he always takes the most predictable and mature action. When John and Olivia face financial difficulties, he jumps in to help (like in “The Deed,” when he runs away to work in Wheeling). If his siblings face troubles, he instantly imparts sage advice. When his grandparents are in need, as when Grandma breaks her glasses in “The Carnival,” he immediately offers his money to help her, urging his siblings to follow in his lead. I understand that the eldest child of a large family often gets thrust into a “third parent,” role. And don’t get me wrong, his qualities inspire me. I would love for my own children to model his wisdom. But we’re talking about a coming-of-age story. He should earn his sainthood, with viewers witnessing his progression through the seasons.
2. Patronizing His Siblings: Though John-Boy may have an old soul, he’s still a naïve child. Yet, he often refers to his siblings as “the children,” while keeping himself out of the equation. In saying this, he suggests he’s super-human and above the rest. Now, if he had a decade-long age gap with his siblings (sans Elizabeth and Jim Bob), I could understand. But he’s just a year older than Jason, and sequentially so with Mary Ellen, Erin, and Ben. For that reason, I cringe whenever he calls them “children,” but he excludes himself in that group.
3. Unrealistic Feats: I can empathize that John-Boy has obligations: helping his father in the mill or driving family members to errands. But in the series, he often takes on deeds that are insurmountable for a teenager. “The Odyssey” is one such episode. When John-Boy retreats to a cabin, he runs into Sarah, a friend who’s pregnant. Without blinking, he seamlessly delivers the baby as if he’s an experienced obstetrician. Then in “The Return,” John-Boy waltzes into town and snaps his finger to open a coalmine, an industry he’s ignorant of. What’s difficult to fathom is that he dives into these trials with such composure. Again, this is a great quality for your nephew or next-door neighbor. But as a viewer, I would have been better empathized with him if I’d seen him hyperventilate or lose his temper. That would have certainly deepened his character.
In sum, despite his quirks, I do enjoy John-Boy’s presence during the first five seasons and miss him when he’s gone. Ironically, his wisdom and maturity might have better served the family in the subsequent seasons as the family bond wanes. (Grandma gets a stroke, Grandpa dies, Olivia gets sick, and Mary Ellen loses Curt.) However, I understand part of the reason for his absence involved the actor’s decision to move on. Furthermore, in real-life settings, family members grow, move away, face tragedies, and die.
