While the wedding preparations continue, Mary Ellen finally shares her hesitation to be married with David and as a result, calls things off. As the residents of Waltons Mountain fear that Dr. Willard ran off with the money raised from the hard luck dance, John Boy starts to investigate Curtis' past employment with a mining company and is able to track him down. Upon their arrival back on the Mountain, Mary Ellen and Curtis have a confrontation and ultimately get married by Rev. Fordwick.

When Mary Ellen announces her engagement to Dr. David Spencer, the family is surprised. On the day of their engagement party, they get an unexpected visitor: Dr. Curtis Willard, looking to take over the practice of Dr. Vance. Mary Ellen is soon hired by the new doctor to help him get acquainted with his new patients, and as a result begins to have doubts about her relationship with David. Elsewhere, Jim Bob begins a relationship with Mrs. Brimmer's niece, Patsy.

After losing his scholarship, Jason gets a job at the Dew Drop Inn, playing music at night to pay his tuition. He then gets an idea to visit the parents of his late friend Seth, in order to talk Red into getting back on stage for a benefit show. Meanwhile, after spending some time with the Walton family, Yancy Tucker works up the nerve to propose to his girlfriend, a barmaid at the Dew Drop.

As Erin begins a new job as a telephone operator with Fanny Tatum, a misdiagnosis by nursing student Mary Ellen results in Grandma ending up in the hospital, needing a lifesaving operation.