Sergeant York

Listener advisory The producers asked parents to preview the episode, which dramatises two battles of the First World War.

Alvin York is the best shot in the Tennessee hills - and the biggest troublemaker, drinking, gambling, and brawling while his widowed mother prays for him. Gracie Williams, the girl he hopes to win, wants nothing to do with a man who can't control his temper. Then a card game turns into a fight, and Alvin's best friend Everett is killed on the barroom floor. At the funeral, Pastor Pyle asks what each listener will say when God calls for an account... and Alvin knows the words are meant for him. With Gracie at his side he walks to the altar, gives up his old ways, and becomes a new man - an elder in the church, courting Gracie at last. But when America goes to war against Germany, everyone expects the famous marksman to march off eagerly. Instead Alvin declares that the Bible forbids killing, and his conscience will not let him fight - no matter what the government demands.

Found on The Deep End Album 55 · 12 episodes

The run See every episode

0702 Childish Things Burned by a past betrayal, Penny turns to a body-language book to instantly judge who she can trust - and starts seeing deception in everyone around her.

1 of 3 0703 The Labyrinth An undercover agent's sting goes sideways in London, leaving him framed, hunted on all sides, and saddled with a streetwise young orphan who knows too much.

2 of 3 0704 The Labyrinth Framed as a traitor and hunted in London, Jason races to uncover what his enemy has planned for a gathering of world leaders at the British Museum.

3 of 3 0705 The Labyrinth Held captive by criminals with a deadly bioweapon hidden inside museum antiques, Jason must find a way to stop an attack on visiting heads of state before the exhibition opens.

0706 To Mend or Repair When fixing things is all you know, Eugene must learn that a grieving heart isn't a machine to repair.

0707 Mistaken for Good A reluctant errand to a retirement home turns complicated when a lonely resident mistakes Jay for her grandson - and the money starts flowing.

1 of 4 0708 Sergeant York A reckless Tennessee sharpshooter's wild ways collide with tragedy, faith, and a war he wants no part of.

2 of 4 0709 Sergeant York A backwoods Tennessee sharpshooter who believes killing is a sin is drafted into the Army, forcing him to choose between his conscience and his country.

3 of 4 0710 Sergeant York A young man of deep faith must climb a mountain alone to decide whether his conscience will let him carry a rifle into the Great War.

4 of 4 0711 Sergeant York A reluctant soldier who hates killing must find a way to save his trapped comrades from deadly machine-gun fire.

0712 Child's Play When a childless couple agrees to babysit two energetic kids for the weekend, they discover that connecting with children takes more than careful planning.

1 of 2 0713 Something Old, Something New A bogus wedding invitation and a suspicious art deal throw Odyssey into delightful chaos as Connie battles a rumor she can't stop and two young detectives finally land a real mystery.

2 of 2 0714 Something Old, Something New An old flame's return to Odyssey - with a fiancée who looks suspiciously familiar - turns a welcome-home party into a tangle of secrets, suspicion, and second thoughts.

Featured characters

Minor characters & crew 10 more roles

10 supporting roles

Pastor Pyle Stu Levin Gracie Williams Renee Dorian Alvin York Jon Curry Mrs. York Louise Chamis Frank Anthony Hansen G.W. Lloyd Sherr Joe the Bartender Actor Unknown Everett Delk Actor Unknown Earl Thompkins Eric Loomis Robert York Sage Ryan

Made by

Chris Anthony Host Dave Arnold Host · Writer · Director · Executive Producer Christopher Diehl Sound Designer Nathan Jones Sound Designer Bob Hoose Producer

The story

Read the full synopsis 1 min

Alvin York grows up in the Tennessee hills with a hardworking Christian mother, but his father's death leaves him angry and reckless. He drinks, gambles, fights, and spends his money while his family struggles. He is also an extraordinary marksman who can strike tiny targets and hunt efficiently, yet he uses his skill and temper to impress others and bully his younger brother.

Alvin becomes interested in Gracie Williams, a strong young Christian who refuses to be charmed by his boasting. She rebukes him for striking his brother and warns that his uncontrolled anger will one day master him. Alvin's mother also tells him that Gracie will never accept the man he has chosen to become.

One night, Alvin's closest friend, Everett Delk, is accused of cheating during a card game. A fight erupts, and Everett is struck by a table and dies on the floor. Alvin is devastated and silently blames himself for helping create the violent situation.

At Everett's funeral, Pastor Pyle warns that sinful pleasures demand a terrible price and asks every listener to consider what will happen when God calls for an account. Alvin interrupts, knowing the message is aimed partly at him. Pastor Pyle tells him that true repentance means allowing his old rebellious nature to die.

Gracie offers to walk with Alvin to the altar. There he turns to God, and his life changes. He gives up drinking, smoking, gambling, swearing, and fighting, studies Scripture with Pastor Pyle, becomes an elder in the church, and begins courting Gracie with an awkward stream of game animals for her family.

The United States then enters the war against Germany. Neighbors assume that Alvin's courage and shooting skill will send him eagerly into battle, but he refuses. He believes the Bible forbids killing and declares that his conscience will not allow him to fight, whatever the government may demand.