Ep 8. Jethro Goes to School

The Beverly Hillbillies season 1 episode 8, titled "Jethro Goes to School," follows the Clampett family as they enroll Jethro, their nephew, in school. Jethro, who has never attended school before, is eager to learn and wants to impress his family with his newfound knowledge. However, he soon realizes that things are not as easy as he thought they would be.

The episode begins with Jethro eagerly preparing for his first day of school. Wanting to make a good impression, he dresses up in his best suit and hat and heads to school with his cousin Elly May. Once there, Jethro is surprised to find out that he is not the only new student. His classmates include a young boy with a stutter, a girl with a lisp, and a boy who can't seem to sit still. Despite their differences, Jethro quickly befriends them all and is determined to help them succeed.

As the day progresses, Jethro realizes that school is not as easy as he thought it would be. He struggles with reading and writing and is embarrassed when the teacher asks him to spell simple words. However, he is determined to learn and asks his cousin Jed for help. Jed, who is illiterate himself, enlists the help of the family's butler, Mr. Drysdale, who agrees to tutor Jethro.

With Mr. Drysdale's help, Jethro begins to improve in his studies and is soon able to read simple sentences. He also helps his classmates with their own struggles, such as teaching the boy with the stutter how to overcome his speech impediment. However, not everyone is happy about Jethro's newfound success. His teacher, Miss Hathaway, becomes jealous of his progress and tries to sabotage him by giving him a difficult assignment.

Despite Miss Hathaway's attempts to hold him back, Jethro perseveres and manages to complete the assignment with the help of his family. He is ecstatic when he receives an A+ and proudly shows it off to everyone. However, his joy is short-lived when he realizes that he may have to leave school in order to go back home to Beverly Hills.

The episode ends with Jethro torn between his love for his family and his newfound passion for learning. He ultimately decides to stay in school and continue his education, much to the delight of his classmates and teacher. The episode serves as a heartwarming reminder of the importance of education and the power of perseverance.