McHale's Navy Season 1 Episode 16 The Ensign Gets a Zero

McHale's Navy season 1 episode 16 "The Ensign Gets a Zero" revolves around the misadventures of Lieutenant Parker, a by-the-books naval officer who has been assigned to work with McHale's crew on PT 73.

Lieutenant Parker is determined to whip McHale's crew into shape and ensure they adhere to naval protocols. However, his rigid and uptight personality clashes with McHale's easy-going and unorthodox leadership style, causing tension and conflict.

The episode opens with Lieutenant Parker attempting to conduct a disciplinary hearing for a crew member who stole a watermelon. McHale intervenes and convinces the crew member to return the stolen fruit, causing Parker to become frustrated with McHale's methods.

As the episode progresses, Lieutenant Parker's attempts to impose order on the crew only lead to further chaos and mishaps. He insists on conducting an inspection of the PT 73, causing McHale and his crew to scramble to hide their various contraband items, including a pig and a roulette wheel.

Meanwhile, a superior officer, Captain Binghamton, is due to arrive for an inspection and Lieutenant Parker is determined to ensure everything is shipshape in his absence. However, his efforts only lead to more problems and as the inspection approaches, things begin to spiral out of control.

The episode culminates in a disastrous inspection that sees McHale's crew receive the lowest possible score. Lieutenant Parker is embarrassed and humiliated, causing him to realize that McHale's unconventional methods may be the only way to keep the crew in line.

In the end, Parker and McHale reach a mutual understanding and respect for each other's leadership styles. They work together to fix the problems with the PT 73 and make amends with Captain Binghamton.

"The Ensign Gets a Zero" is a classic episode of McHale's Navy, showcasing the clash of personalities between a by-the-books officer and a laid-back crew. The humorous mishaps and antics of the crew make for an entertaining watch, while also highlighting the importance of teamwork and compromise.