Ep 2. The Manhunt

Sheriff Andy Taylor receives a call from Opie's teacher that Opie didn't show up for school. After checking out the situation, it's clear that Opie is okay and he has run off because he was upset. Andrew and Deputy Barney Fife set out to find the young boy.

Meanwhile, an escaped convict is rumored to be headed for Mayberry, and the jail is full of drunks, which makes it a priority for the police to recapture him. As they search for Opie, the Sheriff and his deputy come across the dreadful convict, Snake Munson. He discovers the Sheriff and Barney, but runs away in fear.

The story of Munson is spread around town and everyone begins to become worried about their safety. The Sheriff decides to organize a posse to help recapture Munson. While preparing for the posse, Barney suggests that they take a bloodhound that belongs to the jail.

The posse sets out to catch the criminal, with everyone in Mayberry excited to be a part of it. The hunt is on, and it's all anyone can talk about. As the posse comes upon a cabin in the woods, an unusual sound is heard. It's no ordinary creature; it's a bear. Scared and confused, the group take off running. In the chaos of the moment, Andy discovers that Opie is in the cabin.

With the bear blocking their exit, and Munson hiding elsewhere in the woods, the group is trapped. The Sheriff gets caught in a trap that Munson set up hoping to catch some of the posse. Barney, who had been feeling pretty confident heads for backup. In a stroke of luck, Andy is saved by Opie, who shoots the lock of the bear's cage with a slingshot. This does not sit well with the deputy.

With Munson gone and everyone unharmed, the group heads back to the jail. In the end, Barney is no longer upset with Opie's involvement, and everyone can't stop praising the young boy for his bravery. The town goes back to normal, and the Taylor family's bond grows stronger than ever before.

Overall, The Manhunt is a great representation of the classic The Andy Griffith Show. This episode is a great example of both the comedic and dramatic moments that the show mastered so brilliantly throughout its long series run. It's clear why The Andy Griffith Show is still considered a classic among television shows.