Blinded in an explosion, Joe Cartwright, uncertain as to whether his sight will ever be restored, bitterly cuts himself off from the rest of his family. Enter Miss Ellen Dobbs (Jo Van Fleet) from San Francisco, who specializes in teaching the blind how to cope with the "sighted" world. Electing not to tell Joe that Ellen is herself sightless, Ben wonders if he made the right decision as Joe's anger-and unwillingness to learn from Ellen--threatens to permanent divide the Cartwright clan. Written by Suzanne Clauser, this episode was given the full approval of the Braille Institute of America, several of whose representatives acted as technical advisers. Directed by Michael Landon (who of course played Joe Cartwright), "The Stillness Within" first aired on March 14, 1971.
by Hal Erickson
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