Ep 1. Opie and the Bully

Opie and the Bully is the first episode of the second season of the American television sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show. It originally aired on CBS on October 1, 1961, and was directed by Bob Sweeney and written by Harvey Bullock.

The episode opens with Opie Taylor, Andy's son, coming home from school upset. Opie tells Andy and Aunt Bee that a boy named Steve Quincy had been picking on him at school. Andy reassures Opie that he doesn't need to be afraid of bullies and that he should stand up for himself. The next day, Opie follows Andy's advice and punches Steve in the nose when he tries to bully him again.

Andy learns about the altercation from the school principal and is disappointed in Opie's behavior. He talks to Opie about the importance of not using violence to solve problems and encourages him to apologize to Steve. Opie reluctantly complies and apologizes to Steve, who accepts his apology. However, Steve continues to bully Opie even after the apology.

Andy tries to talk to Steve's parents about their son's behavior, but they are dismissive and refuse to believe that Steve could be a bully. Frustrated, Andy decides to teach Opie how to defend himself without resorting to violence. He enlists the help of Barney Fife, the local deputy sheriff, to train Opie in self-defense techniques, such as boxing and wrestling.

At school, Steve continues to bully Opie, and Opie uses the techniques he learned from Barney to defend himself. However, Steve gets hurt during the altercation, and Andy and Barney are called to the principal's office. Steve tells the principal that Opie started the fight, but Andy defends his son and explains that Opie was defending himself against a bully. Impressed by Opie's newfound confidence and self-defense skills, the principal decides to let the matter go.

Back at home, Opie thanks Andy for teaching him how to stand up for himself without resorting to violence. The episode ends with Andy and Opie playing catch outside their home, with Opie proudly showing Andy his new skills.

Opie and the Bully deals with the issue of bullying, and the importance of standing up for oneself without resorting to violence. It also highlights the role of parents and authority figures in teaching children how to handle difficult situations and navigate complex social dynamics. The episode is a heartwarming and timeless classic, and showcases the strong bonds of family and community that can help children overcome challenges and grow into confident and resilient individuals.