Ep 7. Neighborliness

Oliver Douglas is a successful New York lawyer who has grown tired of the city's rat race lifestyle. Together with his wife, Lisa, he decides to move out to the country and live a simpler life. They purchase a run-down farm in Hooterville, a seemingly peaceful and idyllic rural community. However, they quickly learn that the quirky townsfolk and their peculiar customs make their new life far from simple, often resulting in hilarious antics.

In season 1 episode 7, titled "Neighborliness," Oliver and Lisa discover that being a good neighbor in Hooterville is not as straightforward as it seems. As the new arrivals, they are expected to perform certain neighborly duties, such as giving a gift to their nearest neighbor, Kate Bradley (played by Bea Benaderet). When they visit her farm, they are greeted by a horde of animals and eccentric family members.

Kate, a widow and mother of three, runs the Shady Rest Hotel, which is more of a boarding house for travelers than a hotel. She and her family live in the adjacent farmhouse, which is always bustling with activity. Her youngest daughter, the mischievous Betty Jo (played by Linda Kaye Henning), takes a liking to Oliver and Lisa, but her older sisters, Bobbie Jo (played by Pat Woodell) and Billie Jo (played by Jeannine Riley), are too busy pursuing their singing careers to bother with the new neighbors.

As part of their neighborly duties, Oliver and Lisa decide to help Kate around the farm by fixing her fence and helping her with her chores. However, their efforts are met with resistance from some of the locals who believe that they are trying to show off and outdo Kate, who has always managed with just her family's help.

Meanwhile, Eb Dawson (played by Tom Lester), the Douglases' hired hand, becomes enamored with Betty Jo, much to the displeasure of her mother and sisters. He tries to impress her by helping Oliver and Lisa with their chores, but ends up causing more problems than he solves.

As the day progresses, Oliver and Lisa become more and more frustrated with the locals' refusal to accept their help and embrace them as neighbors. In a last ditch effort to win them over, Oliver invites everyone to a dinner party at their farmhouse, but things don't go quite as planned.

Through the course of the episode, Oliver and Lisa come to realize that being a good neighbor in Hooterville isn't about doing things for others, but rather about being a part of the community and participating in its unique way of life. They learn that each person has a role to play and that it takes time to earn the respect and trust of others.

"Neighborliness" is a heartwarming episode that highlights the importance of community and the value of hard work. It showcases the diverse personalities and quirks of the Hooterville residents, while also highlighting the challenges and rewards of small town life.