Good Times (TV Series) The Family Tree (1975) User Reviews

Richard Ward as James' long lost father, Henry Evans

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 11 January 2017]

"The Family Tree" introduced Richard Ward as James' long lost father Henry Evans, who made two return appearances in "Grandpa's Visit" and "Something Old, Something New." Thelma is tracing the Evans family tree, inviting a mention of Alex Haley, less than a year before the broadcast of his classic miniseries ROOTS, which of course featured John Amos as the adult Kunta Kinte (Ja'net DuBois earned a small role to kick off the 1979 sequel ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATIONS). It's James' birthday, and as a special surprise his daughter discovers his father Henry Evans alive and well, and docked in Chicago this very day as a ship's cook. Florida is at first puzzled, as her husband has always insisted that his father was dead, none too pleased to see Henry after 35 years apart. Describing how his father left the house to buy a loaf of bread without coming back, abandoned at such an early age, knowing all these years that Henry wasn't really dead, James has been unable to share this pain even with his wife. Florida convinces Henry to stay and talk with his son Jimmy: "he's right in there, there may never be another chance." Emotional, heart wrenching and heart warming, and only possible with John Amos, whose future on the show wouldn't last much longer.

Still Relevant

[jimmyg24 · 10/10 · 1 March 2010]

This episode is a clear example of the excellence in TV sitcom writing and acting that occurred during the early to mid 1970's on shows such as All In The Family, Maude, Sanford & Son, and Good Times. This episode exposes the depth of hurt in relationships when a Black father leaves his family without warning and the effect it has on their children, who often unbeknown to him, worshiped the ground he walked on. Excellent acting on the part of the actors that portrayed James Evans and his long lost father Henry Evans. The dialog between the two is excellent and their facial expressions and eyes clearly convey the heavy emotions of the dialog. The camera work is superb! As has been stated by other reviewers of this classic American sitcom, Good Times was a truly misunderstood show.