The eighth season starts with Opies entrance into that tender age where it's suddenly hard to talk to girls even while it becomes an exponentially important part in a youngster's self image and awareness. I think in that first year of high school us guys sense our female classmates are becoming more interested in the upper class boys making things suddenly tougher. All of this is happening to Opie as he is pursuing a crush as his date to buddy Arnold's birthday party. You gotta love how Opie is feeling insecure to ask his crush, but when she accepts he becomes totally upbeat and confident. That confidence is tender like the age. I think for many of us this stirs up a certain rite of passage in the process of growing up and how brittle it can be. Truly a good idea for the show that really hasn't ever been explored unlike many episodes that have bits and pieces recycled. After a bit of some uncharacteristic early-on ribbing by Andy (and Goober for good measure) it seems it's all coming together nicely when Opie's crush accepts his invitation to be his date, setting up a life lesson. When the chips are down though Andy becomes Opie's true support and confidant. Opie, sensing his dad's advice is spot-on, grows a foot taller. Since this is Mayberry, things take a turn for the best while mimicking something relatable. All in all, a somewhat touching and quite entertaining episode.
Review of Opie's First Love
