Ep 7. Lawman Barney

In the season 3 episode 7 of The Andy Griffith Show, titled "Lawman Barney", Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife is feeling down on himself after failing the written portion of his sheriff's exam. Feeling inadequate compared to the more experienced law enforcement officers in Mayberry, Barney decides to resign as deputy and pursue a career as a vacuum cleaner salesman.

Andy Griffith, who is not ready to let Barney go, devises a plan to boost Barney's confidence and prove to him that he's still a valuable member of the Mayberry law enforcement team. With the help of the other deputies, Andy sets up a fake robbery at a nearby gas station, hoping that Barney will rise to the occasion and apprehend the "criminals".

As Andy and the other deputies watch from afar, Barney arrives at the gas station and attempts to apprehend the robbers. However, things quickly go awry as Barney's inexperience and ineptitude are exposed, leaving him feeling even more defeated than before.

Despite the unsuccessful operation, Andy remains determined to help Barney regain his confidence and win back his position as deputy. He orchestrates another fake robbery, this time with a more simple plan, in hopes that Barney will have a more successful outcome.

Throughout the episode, viewers see Barney struggle with his self-esteem and self-worth, while Andy tries to reassure him that he's a valuable member of the team. The episode offers a lighthearted look at the inner workings of a small town police department and the personal struggles of the officers who work there.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers see Barney regain his confidence and enthusiasm for his job, as he successfully apprehends the "criminal" during the second staged robbery. The episode ends on a positive note, with Andy and Barney back to their usual banter and camaraderie, and Barney feeling proud to be a respected member of the Mayberry law enforcement team once again.

Overall, "Lawman Barney" offers a heartwarming look at the bond between two lifelong friends and the struggles that come with pursuing a career in law enforcement.