New Doctor, The (TAGS Episode)
Contents
Episode Info
The New Doctor
- S1.E24
- Filmed: 24
- Aired: 24
- Original Air Date: 1961/03/27
- Writer(s):Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart
- Director: Bob Sweeney
Plot Summary
Barney convinces Andy that handsome, young Dr. Robert Benson is moving in on Ellie. Andy decides to act and steps between these "two people lost in a world of pills" to claim Ellie's hand. When he learns that Dr. Benson is actually about to be married to someone else, Andy is forced into a proposal. Ellie, though, turns him down.
Plot
A handsome young doctor, Dr. Benson, arrives in Mayberry, quickly becoming a popular figure in town. His arrival particularly captivates the women of Mayberry, including Ellie Walker, Andy's girlfriend. This makes Sheriff Andy Taylor feel insecure and threatened by the new doctor's charm and competence, especially when Ellie seems to spend more time with Dr. Benson.
Throughout the episode, Andy's jealousy grows, and he becomes increasingly suspicious of Ellie's feelings toward the doctor. Barney Fife, Andy's well-meaning but bumbling deputy, adds fuel to the fire by suggesting that Ellie might be romantically interested in the doctor.
Eventually, Andy realizes that he was overreacting. Ellie reassures him that she has no romantic interest in Dr. Benson and that she cares about Andy. The episode ends on a lighthearted note, with Andy's insecurities resolved, and life in Mayberry returning to normal.
The episode is a humorous exploration of jealousy, relationships, and small-town dynamics, with a heartwarming resolution.
Odd Facts Known by Few
- George Nader, who plays the part of "Dr. Robert Benson", was in Rock Hudson's will.
- In the mid-1970s, Nader was involved in a serious automobile accident. He suffered an eye injury which made him particularly sensitive to the bright lights of movie sets. According to an interview with the German fanzine 'Splatting Image' his eye injury was the result of an accident during the production of the never released movie 'Zigzag'. Nader got injured while using some blank pistol rounds (one of them exploded too early next to his eyes). Since filming took place on the Philippines no adequate treatment was taken in time, resulting in the partial loss of his eyesight and the aforementioned sensitivity.
- Although Dr. Benson moves to Mayberry and plans on settling there, he is never seen or heard from again.
- Andy mentions a band called Bobby Fleet and his Band with a Beat. This was the band that Jim Lindsey, played by James Best, left town with in the third episode "The Guitar Player." They would return later in Season 1 in "The Guitar Player Returns," and they appeared as Freddy Fleet's band in the Season 3 Episode, The Mayberry Band.
- This marks the first time Andy says the phrase, "Yeah boy."
- Barney almost gets run over by a '59 Chevy.
- Barney's medical issues are never addressed again.
- When Barney rushes out of the Drug Store after eavesdropping he pulls the door bell off and drops it on the floor, but when Andy returns a few minutes later the bell is back in place on the door.
Notes
- The previously upside-down map of Idaho behind Andy's desk is now hanging correctly, clearly showing it as Idaho.
- Ellie asks Dr. Benson about the town hypochondriac, Harvey Bullock. The real Harvey Bullock was a prolific writer for television, including The Andy Griffith Show (1960), Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C. (1964), and even The Jetsons. Using the names of production and crew members for characters was a favorite in-joke with the series. In "Mayberry Goes Bankrupt," Frank Myers was named after the series production manager, Frank E. Myers.
- The TV Guide in Walker's Drug Store appears to be the issue from January 21, 1961, with Barbara Stanwyck on the cover. The TV Guide seen in Walker's Pharmacy for many episodes with Lucille Ball on the cover finally changes to a different issue.
- The diploma on the wall of the drug store indicates that Ellie graduated from Bernard University.
- When Andy and Barney are talking at the soda fountain, the strap on Barney's hat changes position several times throughout the scene.
Quotes
- Aunt Bee Taylor: Barney's right! One day you'll go to call on Ellie and her husband will greet you at the door!
- Andy Taylor: Husband?
- Aunt Bee Taylor: That's right! Along with their two children!
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- Opie Taylor: Sure would be nice to have a ma that owns a drugstore with a soda fountain!
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- Opie Taylor: Come on, Pa! Get married! Be a good scout!
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- Barney: Two and two makes four.
More Information
Character List
- Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
- Ronny Howard - Opie Taylor
- Don Knotts - Barney Fife
- Frances Bavier - Aunt Bee Taylor
- Elinor Donahue - Ellie Walker
- George Nader - Dr. Robert Benson