Ep 21. Beaver's Dance

In "Beaver's Dance," the twenty-first episode of the third season of Leave It to Beaver, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver is asked by his crush, Linda Dennison, to go to the upcoming school dance with her. Beaver is over the moon at this prospect, but soon runs into a problem: he doesn't know how to dance.

Unwilling to embarrass himself in front of Linda, Beaver seeks help from his older brother, Wally, who is confident and more experienced in matters of the heart. Wally agrees to give Beaver a crash course in dancing, but things don't go quite as planned. The boys borrow some records from their friend, Eddie Haskell, and begin practicing in the living room. However, their roughhousing and attempts at intricate steps soon lead to chaos and a broken lamp.

With only a few days left until the dance, Beaver is growing more and more anxious about his lack of skills. He decides to turn to his mother, June, for guidance. June tries to teach Beaver a basic waltz, but he struggles to keep up with his mother's fluid movements. Meanwhile, Wally and his girlfriend, Mary Ellen, are preparing for their own dance routine to impress their peers.

As the day of the dance draws near, Beaver's nerves are frayed. Linda seems to be taking their date very seriously, and Beaver worries that he'll embarrass himself in front of her. Wally offers to attend the dance with Linda's friend, Peggy, to help ease the tension. However, when they arrive at the school, Beaver is still feeling self-conscious about his dancing ability.

Fortunately, the dance goes well for Beaver and Linda. They enjoy spending time together and even share a slow dance. Beaver's worries about embarrassing himself are put to rest, and he realizes that Linda likes him for who he is, not for his dance moves. Meanwhile, Wally and Mary Ellen are a hit on the dance floor, impressing everyone with their fancy steps and spins.

"Beaver's Dance" is a heartwarming episode that explores the anxieties and excitement of teenage romance. Through Beaver's struggles with dancing and nerves, the show highlights the importance of self-confidence and being true to oneself. It is a fun and entertaining episode that will make viewers of all ages reminisce about their own first school dances and crushes.