Ep 17. Betty Jo Catches the Bouquet

Betty Jo Catches the Bouquet is the seventeenth episode of the third season of Petticoat Junction. The episode revolves around the romantic pursuits of the Bradley girls and their suitors.

The episode starts with Betty Jo serving her family breakfast while sporting a new hairdo which gets compliments from everyone. This spurs Betty Jo's sisters and mother to suggest that she should start focusing more on her appearance and finding a husband. However, Betty Jo is content with her current single status and is not actively seeking a relationship.

Soon after, Betty Jo accompanies her mother and sisters to a wedding. As the bride throws her bouquet, Betty Jo catches it, much to the delight of her sisters, who believe it's a sign of her upcoming love life. Meanwhile, Bobbie Jo, Betty Jo's younger sister, is trying to impress her new boyfriend with her knowledge of cars and engines, which leads to some comical moments.

In the meantime, Billie Jo, the oldest Bradley sister, is having trouble with both her love life and her singing career. She is struggling to find inspiration for her songs and is also unsure if her boyfriend, Steve, is really the one for her. This leads to some tension between the two during the wedding ceremony.

As the day progresses, Betty Jo starts receiving attention from various men at the wedding, including a pilot who asks her out on a date. Her family sees this as a positive sign and tries to encourage her to pursue the opportunity. However, Betty Jo is hesitant and does not want to pursue a relationship simply because it's expected of her.

As the wedding reception moves into full swing, the Bradley girls and their suitors engage in a variety of dancing and singing activities. Betty Jo is content to dance and have fun but is not interested in any of the men pursuing her. Bobbie Jo's boyfriend, on the other hand, is encouraging her to pursue her interests in cars and seems to genuinely appreciate her knowledge.

Finally, towards the end of the episode, each of the sisters finds some clarity in their romantic pursuits. Billie Jo breaks up with Steve, realizing that they have different goals in life and that he's not the right fit for her. Betty Jo turns down the pilot's date offer but ultimately decides that she's ready to start looking for love. Bobbie Jo's newfound confidence in her knowledge and interests allows her to connect more deeply with her boyfriend.

The episode ends with each of the sisters feeling more content in their romantic pursuits, and the overall message of the episode is that it's important to focus on things that bring you joy and fulfillment rather than just following societal expectations.