Ep 1. The New Housekeeper

In The Andy Griffith Show season 1 episode 1 titled "The New Housekeeper," viewers are introduced to the peaceful town of Mayberry, where Andy Taylor (played by Andy Griffith) serves as the town sheriff. The episode starts with Andy's aunt and housekeeper, who had been helping him raise his young son Opie, leaving to get married, forcing Andy to find a suitable replacement.

Andy's cousin, who's married to a wealthy woman, suggests a candidate for the job, and Andy agrees to meet her, despite his initial skepticism. Upon meeting her, his suspicions are confirmed, as the woman, a middle-aged British widow named Rose (played by Frances Bavier), seems to be out of place in the small town of Mayberry and appears to be clueless about domestic chores.

Despite her shortcomings, Andy decides to give Rose a chance and hires her as a housekeeper. The episode shows Rose's struggles to adjust to her new job and the town's ways. Her initial attempts at cooking and cleaning result in a series of mishaps, which lead to some comical situations.

The townspeople, who are keenly aware of Rose's shortcomings, are amused by her and her British mannerisms, which they see as odd. At one point, Andy has to intervene to prevent his deputy, Barney Fife (played by Don Knotts), from arresting her for jaywalking.

At home, Rose struggles to bond with Opie, who is missing his previous housekeeper. Despite her best efforts, she fails to win his affection, which worries Andy. Sensing his son's discomfort, Andy puts aside his hesitation and decides to help Rose get accustomed to the town's ways. He shows her around and introduces her to the townspeople, hoping to make her feel more welcome.

As the episode progresses, Rose gradually adapts to her new surroundings, and her relationship with Opie improves. She even surprises everyone with her cooking skills when she makes a delicious pie for Andy's friend and Mayberry's town drunk, Otis (played by Hal Smith). This earns her a lot of praise from the townspeople and cements her position in the community.

In the end, Rose emerges as a competent and beloved housekeeper, and Andy is delighted that he gave her a chance. The episode ends with Andy and Opie enjoying Rose's pie and reflecting on the events of the day, which have brought them closer together as a family.

Overall, "The New Housekeeper" exemplifies the wholesome and heartwarming nature of The Andy Griffith Show, which became a beloved classic and an American television icon. The episode showcases the gentle humor and small-town charm that made the show so popular, and introduces viewers to the talented cast of characters, who would go on to become some of the most beloved TV personalities of all time.