Introduction
Season 1 episode 12 is about a stranger in the town of Mayberry. Ed is a New Yorker who comes to live to the town of Mayberry. His arrival is marked by controversy from the people living in the town. The fact that Ed knows about the whereabouts of people and the town in general leaves them with many questions. For example, in episode 12, Ed claims that he knows the lifestyle and culture of the people. In addition, he understands their history. He relates their lives with what has transpired over time in the town. Episode 12 of season 1 takes a turning point when the public decides to ambush Ed in a bid to expel him from the town. There is outcry from the public in episode 12 and as things stand, people are not happy about his presence. It is usual for people to be skeptical about the presence of a stranger who seems to know a lot of about them (Tucker 5).
Season 1 episode 12 also details about Sheriff Andy who helps rescue Ed from public lynching. For example, when Ed is almost lynched, Sheriff Andy appears and tells people to calm down. This is aimed at questioning Ed in a bid to understand his intentions. After a comprehensive interrogation, Sheriff Andy establishes that Ed was a retired army officer. During this time, the perception of Sheriff Andy about Ed changes and he offers Ed a chance to explain his predicaments. It is imperative to note that Sheriff Andy is interested in his character and how he came to know about the region. Sheriff Andy is a conscious man whose interest is understanding all the details. After the interrogation, it becomes clear that Ed has always admired the culture and lifestyle of the town.
Issues of interest
The main issue of interest as depicted in season 1 episode 12 of the sitcom is culture. There is a cultural conflict represented in the play. For example, the change of lifestyle and culture as experienced by Ed shows that change could sometimes be hard. The people are concerned about the whereabouts of Ed and question his presence in the town. This clearly shows that culture shock is a reality among many people. Therefore, adjusting to a different cultural setting would imply more changes on the part of the individual. Ed faces a lot of aggression from the people of the town. The residents are not used to living with a person of a different culture. This creates some tension between the people. The adaptation of a person to a culture is normally consolidated and becomes active in the long run. This is the reason why the people in the village had an illusion that Ed was not like them.
Racial difference is another element mentioned in season 1 episode 12. The residents are skeptical that intrusion from a person from another culture is not right. Ed takes time to adjust to the new setting by showing the courage to fight. He fights back by negotiating with the people. His efforts pay off when the sheriff decides to listen to him. The moral of the story here is that racial differences are obstacles towards meaningful associations. The race factor is seen as the dividing line between love and hatred (Waldron 2). The bottom line is that all the parties should be ready to accommodate each other.
Reasons for choosing the episode
The episode that I chose was season 1 episode 12. This episode was about a stranger who received a cold response from residents of Mayberry town. The stranger is Ed and receives aggression from the residents of Mayberry. The people are not comfortable with his presence. He is questioned on several occasions and this reaches the authorities. The presence of the Sherif makes things worse for the stranger. Ed is supposed to explain to the authorities his intentions. He has an objective of integrating with the people of this town. The explanation to the sheriff is a turning point in the sitcom. The sitcom becomes interesting as the officer starts reasoning with him. His ability to convince the officer about his whereabouts is a great milestone. He is able to secure his place in the town and become a resident. The most interesting thing about the sitcom is how Ed becomes a darling of the people. He changes the perception of people and embraces the new surroundings (Leszczak 7).
Conclusion
The episode 12 season 1 is a masterpiece considering that the author develops a commanding story that triggers the imagination of the audience. The audience becomes interested in the episode by sharing their experiences. The twist developed in the episode is a great element that has pushed the storyline forward. The author has been unpredictable and this has consequently attracted the acclaim of the audience. I must say that watching this episode gave me the impression of mastery in drama.
Works Cited
Leszczak, Bob. Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979 a Complete Guide. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland, 2012. Print.
Tucker, David C. Lost Laughs of ’50s and ’60s Television Thirty Sitcoms That Faded off Screen. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2010. Print.
Waldron, Vince. Classic Sitcoms: A Celebration of the Best Prime-time Comedy. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: Silman-James, 1997. Print.