Ep 31. Mountain Wedding

Andy Griffith Show season 3 episode 31, titled "Mountain Wedding," is a classic episode that captures the spirit of the show perfectly. As the name suggests, the main storyline revolves around a wedding, but there are also plenty of other fun subplots that keep the episode interesting from beginning to end.

The episode starts with Andy driving up to a cabin in the mountains, where he finds Ernest T. Bass (a recurring character on the show) practicing his rock throwing. Ernest is excited because his girlfriend Charlene has finally agreed to marry him, and he wants Andy to perform the ceremony. At first, Andy is hesitant, but he eventually agrees to help out.

The rest of the episode follows the preparations for the wedding, which turns out to be a hilarious and chaotic affair. First, there is the issue of finding a dress for Charlene, which proves to be quite a challenge. Then, there is the question of who will be the best man, which leads to a competition between Ernest and Andy's deputy, Barney Fife. The two of them engage in a series of ridiculous contests, including a pillow fight and a game of marbles, before Ernest ultimately comes out on top.

Meanwhile, Andy's girlfriend Helen is in town preparing for a concert that she is scheduled to perform at that evening. However, she gets caught up in the wedding preparations when she agrees to help Charlene with her dress. This leads to some tension between Andy and Helen, who feels like he is not supporting her career enough.

As the wedding ceremony draws near, things start to get even crazier. Ernest makes his entrance in a ridiculous outfit, complete with white gloves and a hat that looks like a giant mushroom. He also insists on singing a song to Charlene, which is completely off-key and hilarious. The guests are equally colorful, including an old man who can barely hear anything and a group of rowdy hillbillies who keep sneaking moonshine into the punch.

Despite all of the chaos, the wedding ceremony itself is surprisingly touching. Andy delivers a heartfelt speech about love and commitment, and Charlene and Ernest exchange vows that are both funny and sweet. In the end, everyone comes together to celebrate the newlyweds, and even Helen and Andy manage to reconcile.

Overall, "Mountain Wedding" is a classic episode of The Andy Griffith Show that is sure to leave viewers smiling. It combines humor, heart, and more than a little bit of silliness to create a truly memorable episode. Whether you are a fan of the show or a newcomer, this episode is definitely worth watching.