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Somtimes a character is so annoying and devoid of any redeeming qualities, that it makes it hard to sit through the entire episode. That's the case with me and the character of Roger Hanover, and old friend (beau?) of Aunt Bee's who has come to Mayberry to visit. In the first place, it hard to believe that Aunt Bee would ever have anything to do with this guy or tolerate his endless nonsense. Credit actor Wallace Ford for bringing out the worst in this character and making you despise him almost immediately. From the first time he pulls back his hand before Andy can shake it, we know he is going to be irritating. It starts out with bad jokes/pranks and turns into condescending behavior towards Andy "(Here Boy, let me show you how to do it") when he's trying to repair a lamp. The funniest line in the whole episode belongs to Opie after he asks his Pa if he likes Mr. Hanover. Of course Andy's response is very diplomatic as he tries to tell his son to see the good in people and to understand that because he is Aunt Bee's friend they should be forgiving. Opie's response to that is "I don't like him either". A funny line in an episode that contains more drama than comedy. It's not a bad episode, but it does follow a trend in the uneven fifth season of the series that foreshadows the inconsistency of the next three seasons of "color" episodes.,

This is the second episode to feature The Darling Family and the first to feature that rock throwin' mountain man Ernest T. Bass. It seems that Ernest T. is in love with Charlene Darling who just recently tied the knot with ex-soldier Dud Wash. He wants to "court her and charm her and woo her" but doesn't acknowledge the legality of a marriage officiated by the Justice of the Peace (Andy). So, Briscoe and the rest of the Darlings ask Andy to visit their homestead in the mountains to help convince Ernest T. that he needs to give up and quit making a "pestilence" of himself. Not an easy task when your dealing with (as Barney says) a "nut".

There are several memorable, funny scenes in this episode. Andy and Barney trying to sleep on chairs in the Darling living room while the entire family snores in unison. And then their failed attempt to correct the situation by rolling all the men over on their sides. This leads into the scene where Ernest T. throws a rock in the window and then attempts to "serenade" Charlene using a metal gas can for a drum to back up his poetry (or rap I suppose).

Earlier in the episode we get to hear the Darlings (actually "The Dillards") perform "Dooley", an enjoyable bluegrass tune that includes Andy on guitar and Briscoe on the jug. As in the first Darling episode, the "boys" play it dumb with their silence and blank facial expressions when they're not singing.

Kudos as usual to Denver Pyle and Maggie Peterson (Briscoe and Charlene) whose performances are always spot-on and enjoyable to watch. Also, kudos to Howard Morris whose irrepressible energy gives Ernest T. Bass that manic quality that defines his character.

Another classic episode from the ever reliable writing team of Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, and directed by the always creative Bob Sweeney.

This episode has everything that makes the Griffith show so enjoyable to watch starting with an event that brings the towns people together. Barney and Andy start reminiscing when they find Barney's old high school yearbook, and wonder what happened to all their schoolmates. This leads to a plan to have a high school reunion, so those that are still in town send out invitations to those that have moved on and the anticipation begins.

Of course, one of those who left town after high school is Andy's original high school sweetheart who now lives in the big city. By the time of the reunion, no one has heard from her so Andy's feeling a little disappointed, but the celebration goes on anyway with live music and dancing.

Andy and Barney are manning the punch bowl and refreshments table trying to recognize everyone based on memory and usually goofing up their names thanks to Barney misreading the photos in the yearbook. There is also a funny side story about a girl that wrote a loving verse in Barney's yearbook who is now married with children and has no recollection of him whatsoever. Eventually, Andy's high school sweetheart arrives at the entrance to the party, and he spies her from across the room. The two dance and talk before going outside to the garden to reminisce. It doesn't take long for the old flame to rekindle, and eventually we learn Andy's philosophy of happiness. And then ,of course we also learn that everyone's interpretation of happiness is different.

A very good episode with an insightful message and as usual lots of funny scenes and funny asides.