Ep 9. The Ballad of the Betty Lou

Rob, Buddy, and Sally are all excited to go to the big charity ball, but they can't seem to find anyone to go with. Sally's date cancels at the last minute, and Buddy's girlfriend is out of town. Just when they think they'll be going solo, they hear a knock at the door and find a beautiful woman named Betty Lou waiting for them. She's been stood up by her date and is looking for some company for the evening. The trio happily invites Betty Lou to join them at the ball.

As the foursome arrive at the ball, they quickly realize that Betty Lou is the belle of the ball. She's the center of attention with her stunning beauty, "diamond" necklace, and exciting stories about her life as a model and actress. Rob seems to be particularly taken with Betty Lou and dances with her frequently, but Buddy and Sally can't shake their suspicions about her. They begin to wonder if Betty Lou is more interested in being the center of attention than actually having a good time with them.

Their suspicions grow even stronger when a man named Walter arrives at the ball and immediately recognizes Betty Lou as his wife. According to Walter, Betty Lou is not a glamorous model or actress, but a housewife who has been missing for two weeks. Walter pleads with Betty Lou to come home and tells the trio that Betty Lou suffers from a condition called "fugue state" where she loses all memory of her past life. He explains that Betty Lou has been missing for weeks and that this isn't the first time this has happened.

The group is shocked and saddened by the revelation but agrees to take Betty Lou home with them to help find a solution. At the house, Betty Lou begins to remember bits and pieces of her past life, including her husband and children. The group tries to help her remember as much as possible, but Betty Lou still seems unsure of who she truly is.

As they try to figure out what to do next, Betty Lou's husband Walter arrives at the house once again. He explains that this isn't the first time it's happened and that he's tried everything to help her remember. He's even tried to move away and start a new life, but Betty Lou always finds him. In a heartbreaking moment, Walter tells the group that he's tired of living a life where he feels like he's always waiting for her to disappear again.

This revelation prompts Betty Lou to ask the group if she can stay with them for a while. She explains that she wants to figure out who she truly is and that being with them feels like the only safe place she has. The group agrees, and Betty Lou begins to settle in with them before eventually leaving to try to regain her memories and reunite with her family.

The Ballad of the Betty Lou is a heartwarming exploration of the mysteries of memory and the importance of human connection. It's also an entertaining look at the glamour and excitement of the 1960s charity ball scene and features some of the series' funniest moments. Ultimately, it's a memorable and emotional episode that showcases why The Dick Van Dyke Show remains a beloved classic to this day.