Ep 2. Andy's Rich Girlfriend

In The Andy Griffith Show season 3 episode 2, titled "Andy's Rich Girlfriend," the beloved sheriff of Mayberry, Andy Taylor, finds himself the object of a wealthy woman's affection. The woman in question is Sharon DeSpain, a wealthy and glamorous socialite who owns a chain of beauty parlors. When she comes to Mayberry for a visit, she catches Andy's eye and they begin dating.

The episode opens with Andy taking Sharon on a picnic. As they relax by the river, Andy starts to notice how different Sharon is from the women of Mayberry. She's more sophisticated, more worldly, and more cultured. Despite this, Andy finds himself drawn to her. He also recognizes that his feelings for Sharon might be causing him to act differently than he normally would. He's more nervous and more self-conscious around her, and he worries that he's not good enough for her.

Back in town, the rest of the town is buzzing about Andy's new girlfriend. Everyone is curious about who she is, what she does, and why she's interested in Andy. The women of Mayberry are particularly curious, and they watch Andy and Sharon's every move with a mixture of envy and suspicion.

As the episode progresses, we learn more about Sharon and her life. She's a successful businesswoman who's used to being in charge. She's also used to getting what she wants, which sometimes puts her at odds with Andy. When they go out to dinner, for example, Andy wants to pay for the meal, but Sharon insists on picking up the tab. When they go to the movies, Sharon wants to see a foreign film, but Andy would rather watch a Western. Their differences become more pronounced as the episode goes on, but both of them try to make compromises to make the relationship work.

One of the most entertaining subplots of the episode involves Opie, Andy's young son. Opie is fascinated by Sharon's wealth and her glamorous lifestyle. He can't get enough of her stories about beauty parlors, expensive clothes, and fancy parties. When he invites Sharon to his school to talk about her job, everyone is impressed. But Sharon realizes that she's not used to talking to children and struggles to connect with them. Her discomfort in this situation highlights the differences between her life and the simpler, more down-to-earth lifestyle of Mayberry.

As the episode draws to a close, Andy and Sharon's relationship reaches a turning point. Andy decides to break up with her, worried that he doesn't fit in with her world. But Sharon surprises him by admitting that she's fallen in love with him and wants to make their relationship work. Andy is overjoyed, and the two agree to keep seeing each other.

Overall, "Andy's Rich Girlfriend" is a charming and lighthearted episode of The Andy Griffith Show. It's full of humor, warmth, and small-town charm. The episode explores the differences between Sharon's sophisticated life and Andy's simple life and shows that love can bridge the gap between two very different worlds. It's a wonderful example of the show's ability to showcase human connections and relationships in a way that is both heartwarming and entertaining.