Ep 1. Mr. McBeevee

In season 3 episode 1 of The Andy Griffith Show, titled "Mr. McBeevee," the town of Mayberry is introduced to a new character who is causing quite a stir. Opie, the son of Sheriff Andy Taylor, comes home from the park one day and excitedly tells his father and Aunt Bee about his new friend, Mr. McBeevee. Opie describes Mr. McBeevee as a man who can walk through walls and has a hat that can disappear and reappear.

Both Andy and Aunt Bee are skeptical of this new friend, thinking that Opie has just made him up. However, when Andy goes to the park to investigate, he catches a glimpse of Mr. McBeevee himself. Andy confronts him and finds out that his real name is Bill, and he is a telephone lineman. Bill explains to Andy that he often climbs telephone poles and wears a hat that can sometimes fall off.

Despite Bill's explanation, Andy is still skeptical about Mr. McBeevee's existence. He warns his deputy, Barney, to keep an eye out for him and treats him as if he is a potential danger to the town. However, when Opie goes missing one day, Andy begins to realize that maybe he was wrong about Mr. McBeevee after all.

Andy and Barney search the town for Opie, but it is Bill who eventually finds him. Bill had been up on a telephone pole working when he saw Opie walking through the park. He climbed down and asked Opie what was wrong. Opie explains that he got in trouble at school and was afraid of going home. Bill talks to Opie, giving him some encouragement and helping him to see that he should own up to his mistakes and face the consequences.

When Andy and Barney finally find Opie, he is happily playing with Mr. McBeevee. Andy is surprised to finally meet Bill in person and sees that he is just a regular guy trying to do his job and be a good friend to Opie. Andy apologizes to Bill for not believing in him and thanks him for his help with Opie.

Overall, "Mr. McBeevee" is a heartwarming episode that teaches valuable lessons about judging people too quickly and the importance of owning up to one's mistakes. It also highlights the strong relationship between Andy and Opie, giving viewers a glimpse into the father-son dynamic that is at the core of the show.