Bee Taylor decides to do something daring. Instead of having her hair done, the stylist suggests a wig. It really does make her look younger and quite nice. But Andy comes flying in with his insecurities and judgments. Bee holds her ground but not without a severe penalty to pay in her own home.
4 Reviews
OPIE IS GETTING SO ANNOYING!
JSGal19 July 2021
Aunt Bee bought a wig as she believed it would be convenient to wear at times, and even though Andy was not in support of her decision, he did try to help her conceal her secret from a visiting pastor that Aunt Bee was trying to impress. However, Opie, and his big mouth made it nearly impossible for Andy to pull off keeping Aunt Bee's wig a secret. Opie also opens his big mouth numerous times in the later episodes, which I found very annoying!
Andy's lack of support for Bee's new hairstyle
jarrodmcdonald-113 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The stories on this show are very heavy-handed in their message against non-conformity. This episode is a perfect example. Andy refuses to support Aunt Bee's decision to wear a wig and change her look. He doesn't even seem to say one nice thing to her in the entire story. Opie thinks it's cool and Helen is very supportive but not Andy.
The character of Clara Edwards is just as bad, and so are the other women who talk about Bee behind her back. The writers introduce a new reverend character who's never seen Bee in her old hairstyle. Of course, he just so happens to be giving a sermon about "being yourself." This is done by the writers so Bee will feel guilty, believing she is not being herself. The writers conveniently gloss over the fact that maybe a woman her age wants and needs a change in order to feel good about her appearance. Obviously the writers' point of view mirrors Andy's- - Bee's actions are meant to be seen as a folly, untrue to her real nature. The writers fail to use the reverend as someone who might encourage her. No-- Bee has to feel guilty, realize the so-called error of her ways and go back to the frumpy old style she started with at the beginning of the episode.
Despite the ridiculous conformity angle, there are some charming bits in this episode. Most of those are supplied by Howard McNear as Floyd the Barber. He's one of the better cast members, and the scene where he's trying to feel Bee's wig in church is quite humorous. He's also very funny in the next scene which takes place at Andy's home. Floyd and Andy are playing checkers and when Floyd makes a wrong move, and Opie does not support him, he says Opie would naturally side with Andy against him. Floyd feels as persecuted as poor Aunt Bee.
The character of Clara Edwards is just as bad, and so are the other women who talk about Bee behind her back. The writers introduce a new reverend character who's never seen Bee in her old hairstyle. Of course, he just so happens to be giving a sermon about "being yourself." This is done by the writers so Bee will feel guilty, believing she is not being herself. The writers conveniently gloss over the fact that maybe a woman her age wants and needs a change in order to feel good about her appearance. Obviously the writers' point of view mirrors Andy's- - Bee's actions are meant to be seen as a folly, untrue to her real nature. The writers fail to use the reverend as someone who might encourage her. No-- Bee has to feel guilty, realize the so-called error of her ways and go back to the frumpy old style she started with at the beginning of the episode.
Despite the ridiculous conformity angle, there are some charming bits in this episode. Most of those are supplied by Howard McNear as Floyd the Barber. He's one of the better cast members, and the scene where he's trying to feel Bee's wig in church is quite humorous. He's also very funny in the next scene which takes place at Andy's home. Floyd and Andy are playing checkers and when Floyd makes a wrong move, and Opie does not support him, he says Opie would naturally side with Andy against him. Floyd feels as persecuted as poor Aunt Bee.
Great Floyd episode
vitoscotti28 July 2022
The reaction to the wig was the highlight. Andy's disapproval and uncomfortableness was well played by him. Funny Opie the pest getting knocked down a few pegs by Andy. Funny Opie climbed a few stairs to get a better look at the wig and gawk even closer. Bee's back stabbing lady friends behind her back, but pour out the sweetness to her face. Wonderful Floyd (Howard McNear) moments. One of his best episodes. He had a lot of hilarious screen time delivering one funny line after another. Rev. Leighton (Ian Wolfe) played it deadpan dry and needed to be checked for a pulse. Very good epilogue with some Andy Griffith singing. A real hidden gem episode that I'll rewatch sooner that most just for the classic Floyd.
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