Andy makes a mistake when he completely missreads Ms Ellie Walker's intentions when she accepts his invitation to the picnic. He thinks it's a precursor to marriage. No no no! Maybe she sort of likes the Sheriff but marriage is not on the horizon. She's new to Mayberry and the picnic gives her an opportunity to meet local folks. We do get to see the short fuse Ms Ellie has when it comes to matters of the heart. Opie innocently tells Ms Ellie what his dad said to Aunt Bee about Ms Ellies' reason for accepting the Sheriff's invitation. That was not meant for her ears. But no that would've eliminated the scenes with the other guys acting strange when they visited the Pharmacy. And of course there's the priceless scene with Ms Ellie trying to poison the Sheriff with a strange concoction. Overall this was a funny episode as the Sheriff got a taste of Ms Ellie's fervor.
8 Reviews
Early Episode Naivety and Charm
scottschada@yahoo.com23 June 2021
If all the episodes were like this, Andy Griffith Show would not have endured for so many generations. It does seem "hokey", including placement of the laugh track and Andy's Southern/mountain accent. Yet the episode succeeds overall, with Elinor Donahue's sprightly energy, and a charming ending. I did notice that Miss Donahue secured a top verbal billing at the beginning of at least one of her episodes that other (male) actors didn't achieve until much later. Aneta Corsaut and Betty Lynn never did receive such recognition.
Storyline Goof
kacarrol-783-57728510 November 2021
Andy asks Ellie to go to a PICNIC on Saturday. She accepts. He goes home, tells Aunt Bee, and suddenly the picnic is now a DANCE! How did the picnic turn into a dance almost in mid-sentence? I'm surprised no one caught this. But it's still a nice episode. Ellie really is too beautiful for Mayberry.
Much Ado About Ellie
TheresaWhetstone16 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This 5th episode of Season 1 ranks at the top of my list as knee-slappin' hilarious in this highly popular tv comedy which ran from 1960 to 1968.
In this episode, the typically fun-loving, level-headed Andy makes an entire mountain out of a molehill, and I mean an itty-bitty molehill.
You see irresistible is what Andy is, or so he thinks. In her second appearance as the new lady druggist, Ellie butts heads with Andy big time.
Synopsis. Sherriff Andy Taylor is convinced that the new town pharmacist, Ellie Walker is out to snag him. And in a classic scene worthy of an Academy Award, bachelor Andy talks himself into believing that Ellie and her uncle Fred, conspired to bait a trap and reel him in for the ultimate catch: matrimony.
And every bit of evidence seems fits too; her walking in at the right time (pitiful-like), her smile, her Uncle talking up the dance, her perfume, her anticipating what he was going to ask, and finally her offering Opie a free ice cream cone.
That did it!
He sets a plan in motion that will steer Ellie directly into the arms of another.
However, his plan had a major flaw... 6-year-old Opie who innocently spills the whole plan to Ellie.
SHE-WAS-LIVID! And her revenge was diabolically, "sweet." Keep watching and you'll find the true conspirators weren't Ellie and her Uncle Fred. They were more so Andy and Aunt Bee!
This episode is a classic example of how people can create unnecessary chaos when jumping to conclusions.
A watch well worth your time.
10/10.
In this episode, the typically fun-loving, level-headed Andy makes an entire mountain out of a molehill, and I mean an itty-bitty molehill.
You see irresistible is what Andy is, or so he thinks. In her second appearance as the new lady druggist, Ellie butts heads with Andy big time.
Synopsis. Sherriff Andy Taylor is convinced that the new town pharmacist, Ellie Walker is out to snag him. And in a classic scene worthy of an Academy Award, bachelor Andy talks himself into believing that Ellie and her uncle Fred, conspired to bait a trap and reel him in for the ultimate catch: matrimony.
And every bit of evidence seems fits too; her walking in at the right time (pitiful-like), her smile, her Uncle talking up the dance, her perfume, her anticipating what he was going to ask, and finally her offering Opie a free ice cream cone.
That did it!
He sets a plan in motion that will steer Ellie directly into the arms of another.
However, his plan had a major flaw... 6-year-old Opie who innocently spills the whole plan to Ellie.
SHE-WAS-LIVID! And her revenge was diabolically, "sweet." Keep watching and you'll find the true conspirators weren't Ellie and her Uncle Fred. They were more so Andy and Aunt Bee!
This episode is a classic example of how people can create unnecessary chaos when jumping to conclusions.
A watch well worth your time.
10/10.
One of the best Opie episodes from that season
jillmbushakra12 December 2021
What a Dork
Hitchcoc21 November 2019
Andy is so under control when it come to day to day business. He is a calming influence in his town. Ellie is new in town and doesn't know people. So Andy asks her to a picnic. She is pleasant and kind and decides to go with him. But he gets suspicious of her motives and acts the complete ass. He talks her up to three nitwit local bachelors who are like the skunks under the porch. There are good moments, but Andy is really hard to admire here. Of course, 1960 was a different time.
If only Andy would tone down the hillbilly clown act.
vitoscotti15 September 2022
Now I realize Ellie Walker (Elinor Donahue) was perfectly fine in season 1. The big problem was Andy Griffith.the hillbilly clown dominating the episodes. When he tones it down the episodes are much better. Elinor Donahue, Ronny Howard, and Don Knotts were all very funny. If Elinor Donahue was brought aboard in season 2 when the Andy character calmed down she might of had a better chance of success. I found this episode a struggle to get through. Andy telling Aunt Bee about "Ellie the hunter" was more like a standup act from one of his records. Fortunately the Andy Taylor character will be molded into a better version in season 2.
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