The Indiscretion (2024)

Episode17 - The Indiscretion

(7 April 1981)
Writer: E.F.Wallengren.
Director: James Sheldon.
Music: Alexander Courage.

"There are events in our lives which would bestbe forgotten, moments out of the past which have a peculiar way of thrustingthemselves into the present. Ike Godsey had always been a man of integrity,someone we could all count on, but even Ike had skeletons hidden away in acloset and it was inevitable that Corabeth would come upon them sooner orlater".

Ike is perplexed as he watches his wife packher luggage, saying that she is divorcing him. At the Walton house, Corabethasks the family to stay a few days, telling them that Ike and she are endingtheir marriage. After Corabeth leaves for her room, the women discuss divorce.When Drew arrives Elizabeth explains thesituation and he tells her that he is taking care of the Baldwin’s dog, whilethey are at Virginia Beach.

Jason consoles Ike over drinks at the DewDrop Inn, as Ike wonders what is wrong with him. Ike assumes he is not refinedenough for Corabeth’s tastes. Jason suggests he try courting her again. Ike’sfirst attempt is to ask his wife to a candlelit dinner and a Schumann concertoin Charlottesville.Corabeth rejects his proposal. Rose and Mary Ellen decide to talk with Corabeth,where they learn she is divorcing Ike because of adultery. They look at eachother in disbelief as she reads a newly found letter addressed to Ike that waswritten by Pamela in June 1941. Rose and Mary Ellen suggest that she let Ikeexplain. Corabeth refuses, saying he can explain in court. Later, at thebreakfast table, the men side with Ike while the women agree with Corabeth.Rose tries to be the compromiser, but without much luck.

Drew and Elizabeth picnic at Druscilla’s Pondwhere they express feelings for each other. Drew suggests they celebrate theiranniversary at the Baldwin house, where theyfell in love. Elizabethisn’t sure she wants to “give in to her feelings”. At Ike’s store, Frank Simspurchases a five-pound sack of sugar for his wife who is making preserves. Hecomments to Ike about the divorce rumors circulating around the community.Later, Ike makes another attempt to appease Corabeth, as he gives her roses.Corabeth remembers the rose mentioned in the “other woman’s” letter, aggrievedthat he would give her the same flowers.

Ike plays pool with Jason and Ben, as hereminisces about his pool-playing days with John. He remembers favoring hisbachelor days when Olivia became mad at John for playing pool. In response,Jason wonders if he should marry Toni. Ike hates the idea of being a “stuffedapron”, and desires to change his image. Ben suggests he make Corabeth jealous,whereupon Ike says, “You’re looking at Don Juan Godsey”.

Drew and Elizabeth kiss on the porch underthe watchful eye of Rose, who finally tells Drew it is time to go home. Drewsuggests they spend the night together alone at the Baldwinhouse. Elizabeththinks about it. The next morning, Corabeth announces she is off to Charlottesville to lookfor an apartment. Elizabethtells everyone that Drew and she have a date. No one seems concerned when shesays they may be out very late. Corabeth enters the store for her checkbookwhen she comments on Ike’s new mustache, saying it looks “like a small bush”.Ike tries to convince her to go out this evening, but Corabeth states she isaccompanying Mary Ellen and Erin to the Dew Drop, and tomorrow will return tocollect half of this “hodgepodge”. Ike decides to call the CharlottesvilleEscort Service, much to the chagrin of Miss Fanny.

As Elizabethprepares for her date, she tells Erin thatwhile on a picnic with Drew she did not want their kiss to stop. Erin questions if anything happened. Elizabeth says “no” but that Drew wants tospend the night together. Erin advises heragainst it, relating her experience with Ashley Longworth. She says, “Love is awonderful experience but only with someone you expect to spend the rest of yourlife with.”

Ike brings his date Nina Sue to the Dew DropInn. They order beers from Jason, who warns him that Corabeth will soon arrive.Drew appears at the house as Mary Ellen and Erin wait for Corabeth. Erin looksat Elizabeth as Elizabeth looks to Drew, knowing that she hasa big decision to make. Elizabethtells Drew that she cannot go with him. Drew angrily walks away, saying shemust not love him.

Mary Ellen and Erin observe Ike with hisdate, and then try to persuade Corabeth to leave for another roadhouse.Suddenly, Corabeth hears Ike in a beer-chugging contest with the woman.Corabeth confronts the pair, and then disgustedly walks off. Ike confesses tohis date that he is married, resulting in her hitting him several times overthe head with her purse.

At the store, Ike is served divorce papers byDeputy Sheriff David Bull. At the Baldwin house, Dickey tries to awaken Drew asElizabeth walksinto the room. She apologizes to Drew about changing her mind at the lastminute. Drew understands, saying that spending the night together would havebeen wrong. They agree they are much more than just friends.

When Corabeth walks into the store Ike tellsher that she will never be able to prove adultery with regards to the woman atthe Dew Drop Inn. Ike then brings out into the open his pent up hostilities hehad been harboring inside. Corabeth finally states that she is divorcing himbecause of Pamela Morris. Ike says he is sorry, never wanting to hurt her. AsCorabeth goes through her memory chest, Ike reminisces about the rose she woreat their anniversary while they danced the tango, along with the rice from thewedding. Ike admits never understanding why she married him. Ike says thatPamela Morris made him realize that he truly loved his wife. He then produces aletter that Pamela wrote explaining that she could never stand between him andCorabeth. But, Corabeth says she can’t forgive his deception. Ike responds, “Iwould have forgiven you.” Corabeth looks at herself in the mirror, reconsidersher decision, and then walks back into the store saying, “Were there any callsfor me while I was gone?” Ike says, “The phone never stopped ringing.”

"Corabeth forgave Ike for his indiscretion andnew life was breathed into their marriage. For months Waltons Mountainbuzzed with rumors about the Godseys near divorce. Only Mary Ellen and Roseknew the truth, and they kept the secret to themselves".

Ike: Corabeth, have you ever noticed how the roofcreaks at night?
Corabeth: I don't believe I have.
Ike: I didn't start hearing it until after you left.
Corabeth: Water faucet, the Walton house drips incessantly, I can hardlysleep.
Ike: It doesn't matter any more does it.
Corabeth: Goodnight Ike.
Ike: Goodnight Corabeth

Notes:

Robert Schumann was a German composer livingfrom 1810 to 1856.

Bernice is FrankSims’ wife.

Also appearing:

Ike and Corabeth Godsey (Joe Conley and Ronnie ClaireEdwards), Rose Burton (Peggy Rea) Cindy Walton (Leslie Winston), Drew Cutler(Tony Becker), Nina Sue (Victoria Carroll), Frank Sims (Alvy Moore), Deputy Sheriff David Bull (DanaCraig).