The Andy Griffith Show season 2 episode 13 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

When Big Jeff Pruitt comes to town searching for a bride, Andy and Barney are roped into helping. Pruitt's brute approach to finding a wife—literally picking up potential brides—leads to a comedic series of events, including a plan involving Thelma Lou's hen party. Barney's jealousy flares when Jeff shows interest in Thelma Lou, but Jeff's realization that he doesn't want to change his lifestyle for marriage leads him to leave town. The episode humorously explores the challenges of matchmaking and the importance of compatibility in relationships.

Full Episode S02E13 Recap

### Introduction - Andy and Barney are surprised by the sudden appearance of Big Jeff Pruitt in town, looking for a bride rather than buying or selling goods. ### Jeff's Search for a Bride - Jeff Pruitt explains to Andy and Barney that he is in town to find a bride, dismissing the idea of marrying Bertha, a woman from his farming community, in favor of finding a "female type" in town. ### The Plan to Help Jeff - Despite Andy's initial reservations, Barney suggests they help Jeff find a bride while carrying out their duties. Jeff decides to scout for potential brides on his own. ### Jeff's Method - Opie tells Andy he saw Jeff picking up girls in town to check their weight, leading to Andy and Barney intervening to stop Jeff from treating women like livestock. ### A Dinner at Andy's - At Andy's house, Jeff enjoys Aunt Bee's cooking but is still focused on finding a wife, leading to a plan involving Thelma Lou's hen party. ### The Hen Party - Barney and Jeff crash Thelma Lou's hen party, where Jeff begins his search for a bride among the guests, much to Barney's concern when Jeff shows interest in Thelma Lou. ### Barney's Jealousy - Barney becomes jealous and confronts Jeff, claiming Thelma Lou as his own despite not being engaged or having asked her to marry him. ### Confronting the Situation - Barney's attempts to assert his claim over Thelma Lou lead to misunderstandings and his eventual realization that he must "fight" for her, despite the physical mismatch with Jeff. ### The Resolution - Jeff ultimately decides against marrying Thelma Lou after realizing the extent of changes he'd have to make, including working indoors and living in town, which goes against his nature. ### Jeff's Departure - Realizing that he prefers someone who accepts him as he is, Jeff decides to leave, and Barney "confronts" him one last time, asserting his dominance in a comedic fashion. ### Aftermath - The episode concludes with Barney reflecting on the importance of standing firm without resorting to physical force, though a humorous encounter with Joe Waters suggests Barney might still have lessons to learn about handling confrontations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Big Jeff Pruitt?

Big Jeff Pruitt is a character who comes to town looking for a bride, preferring a "female type" over his farming neighbor Bertha.

Why does Jeff Pruitt come to town?

Jeff Pruitt comes to town to find a bride, as he wants someone "soft and squishy-like" rather than someone from his farming community.

How do Andy and Barney react to Jeff's plan to find a bride?

Andy is initially hesitant, but Barney suggests they help Jeff while performing their duties, leading to various comedic situations as they try to find Jeff a suitable bride.

What is Jeff's method for choosing a potential bride?

Jeff's method involves physically picking up women to check their weight, which Andy and Barney quickly discourage.

Where does Jeff Pruitt first attempt to find a bride?

Jeff first attempts to find a bride at Thelma Lou's hen party, where he and Barney "casually" drop by.

How does Barney Fife react when Jeff shows interest in Thelma Lou?

Barney becomes jealous and asserts that Thelma Lou is his girl, despite not being engaged or having explicitly asked her to marry him.

What leads to Jeff deciding against marrying Thelma Lou?

Jeff decides against marrying Thelma Lou after realizing the changes he'd have to make to his lifestyle, including working indoors and living in town, which he is not willing to do.

How does the episode resolve the conflict between Barney and Jeff?

The conflict is resolved when Jeff decides to leave town after realizing he does not want to change his lifestyle for Thelma Lou, and Barney "confronts" him in a comedic showdown.

What lesson does Barney learn from the incident with Jeff?

Barney learns the importance of standing firm and asserting oneself without resorting to physical force, although his application of this lesson is humorously questioned at the end.

Does Jeff Pruitt end up finding a bride in town?

No, Jeff Pruitt does not end up finding a bride in town and decides to leave after realizing he prefers someone who accepts him as he is.

The Andy Griffith Show season 2 episode 13

The Farmer Takes a Wife