Ep 4. Dobie Goes Beatnik

Dobie Goes Beatnik is an episode from the second season of the classic television series, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. The show, which aired from 1959 to 1963, follows the life and loves of high school student Dobie Gillis, played by Dwayne Hickman.

In this episode, Dobie decides to embrace the beatnik lifestyle after meeting a group of rebellious students at college. He ditches his preppy clothes for a black turtleneck sweater and beret, and begins speaking in a language filled with slang and poetic metaphors.

His friends and family are initially taken aback by his transformation, but soon become intrigued by the beatnik culture. Dobie's best friend Maynard G. Krebs, played by Bob Denver, starts wearing a goatee and sandals, and speaking in a similar jargon.

However, Dobie's new lifestyle begins to cause problems in his love life. His girlfriend Thalia Menninger, played by Tuesday Weld, is disgusted by his new appearance and behavior, and threatens to break up with him unless he returns to his old ways.

Dobie is torn between his love for Thalia and his newfound passion for beatnik culture. He tries to convince Thalia to see the beauty in his new way of life, but she remains unconvinced.

Things come to a head when Dobie is invited to perform a beat poem at a club in the city. Thalia attends the performance, but is again disappointed by Dobie's behavior. She storms out of the club, leaving Dobie alone and confused.

Eventually, Dobie realizes that he can't be true to both Thalia and his beatnik lifestyle. He decides to abandon the beatnik movement and return to his old ways, much to the relief of his friends and family.

The episode ends with Dobie and Thalia reconciling and sharing a kiss, while Maynard looks on enviously from the sidelines.

Overall, Dobie Goes Beatnik is a charming and humorous episode that explores the tensions between conformism and individualism in the 1960s. The show's talented cast and witty script make it a must-watch for fans of classic television.