Sissy Spacek Gets Kinder, Gentler With the Waltons

It’s difficult to think of a young Sissy Spacek as the girl next door--unless, perhaps, you live at the Bates Motel.

She was no Gidget or That Girl. In “Badlands” (1973), she was a murderer’s accomplice. In the TV movie “Katherine” (1975), a terrorist. And you sure wouldn’t want to cross her in “Carrie” (1976).

So when you see her in 1973’s “The Townie” episode from the first season of “The Waltons” (Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on TNN), it’s natural to be a little leery. She plays Sarah Simmons, a dissatisfied adolescent who hangs out with John-Boy and his siblings.

Sarah’s rigid, widowed mom has given up on life, but Sarah isn’t ready to. She takes up with a rich college jerk who wants to run off with her. The Waltons--even the Depression doesn’t get them down--can’t help getting involved, and things turn out all right. But along the way you keep wondering whether Sarah’s mama is going to be found with a butcher knife sticking in her or whether Sarah’s schoolmates are going to be really sorry they didn’t treat her better.

Just remember that this is Walton’s Mountain, the Gentlest Place on Earth, where the seven Walton kids have the warmest, kindest parents (Michael Learned and Ralph Waite) and the most devoted grandparents (Will Geer and Ellen Corby) imaginable. And if that doesn’t do it, this should: The episode gets a TV-G rating (find another hourlong drama that can do that).

So don’t be afraid when Spacek returns as Sarah in a later episode (May 29 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Crossing paths with her is John-Boy, who, annoyed by the family bustle, has gone off to be alone overnight so he can concentrate on his writing.

In this episode, Sarah is pregnant. She’s having a tough time, but you can relax; she will not have a demonic child. Martin Sheen will not cut down John-Boy in his prime. No need to go to bed with garlic and crucifixes around your neck. You don’t have to worry about nightmares. You might even have pleasant dreams.

Good night, John-Boy.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Which of the actors who played the adult Waltons played the same roles in the series forerunner--the TV movie “The Homecoming”? Answer next week. The answer to last week’s quiz (What was the name of the British TV show on which “Three’s Company” was based?): “Man About the House.”

Set Your VCR

KDOC’s “Hawaii Five-0” marathon runs Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a break from 8 to 9 p.m.--for the nightly horse racing and paid programming.

“The Wild, Wild West” (Sunday at 3 p.m. on KDOC Channel 56) is in black and white as it starts a fresh run. Suzanne Pleshette guest stars in this 1965 first episode, “The Night of the Inferno.”

Michael Landon didn’t go straight from “I Was a Teen-Age Werewolf” (1957) to “Bonanza” (1959-73). In between, he did guest shots on such westerns as “Trackdown,” “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “The Texan” and “Tombstone Territory.” He was an old hand by the time he appeared on a 1959 “Rifleman” (Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on the Family Channel) that aired a few months before the “Bonanza” premiere.

That double-crossing, J.R.-shooting Kristin returns to “Dallas” (Tuesday at 8 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on TNN). And--would you believe it?--she’s got another scheme cooked up.

Everything’s in place at Ellyn and Billy’s wedding on “Thirtysomething” (Monday at 11 a.m. on Lifetime)--except the bride and groom.