Get Andy and Barney together, throw in an escaped convict, and you have the old show again. A prisoner has his sights on Barney, hoping to exact revenge. We come to realize that Warren idolizes our skinny compadre. Barney is scared to death. What transpires is one of the plots that resurfaced from time to time.
4 Reviews
A Welcome Return
zsenorsock13 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This episode shows how much the show lost when Don Knotts left it after season five. Here Barney returns to town for a visit only to find he's got a huge fan: Warren Lawson. Warren is in awe of the former Mayberry lawman who's gone on to success in the big city, and Barney of course, loves the attention.
But then a convict escapes and heads for Mayberry, determined to get his revenge on Barney for sending him to prison. Warren of course, can't wait to see his hero in action. Barney of course, can't wait to get out of town. In the end, Andy of course helps Barney recapture the escaped prisoner, but in a wonderful twist and a terrific character moment, Barney asks Andy to throw the credit for the arrest to Warren. It's a great moment and it helps illustrate why Andy is friends with this guy.
Knotts is absolutely in top form here and I believe won an Emmy for his guest appearance. Strangely enough, Jack Burns gives his best performance as Warren. It's as if the episode gives us the "passing of the torch" scene that Warren did not get before and perhaps created some resentment. However Burns didn't get a chance to see if he'd made it over the hump. This was the last episode he made and was released from his contract by Andy Griffith. From now on, Andy (with the occasional help from Goober) sheriffed the town alone.
But then a convict escapes and heads for Mayberry, determined to get his revenge on Barney for sending him to prison. Warren of course, can't wait to see his hero in action. Barney of course, can't wait to get out of town. In the end, Andy of course helps Barney recapture the escaped prisoner, but in a wonderful twist and a terrific character moment, Barney asks Andy to throw the credit for the arrest to Warren. It's a great moment and it helps illustrate why Andy is friends with this guy.
Knotts is absolutely in top form here and I believe won an Emmy for his guest appearance. Strangely enough, Jack Burns gives his best performance as Warren. It's as if the episode gives us the "passing of the torch" scene that Warren did not get before and perhaps created some resentment. However Burns didn't get a chance to see if he'd made it over the hump. This was the last episode he made and was released from his contract by Andy Griffith. From now on, Andy (with the occasional help from Goober) sheriffed the town alone.
"Noblesse Oblige"
vitoscotti18 July 2022
Don Knotts elevates scripts, and actors. Having Warren (Jack Burns) idolize Barney was a very clever angle. Some really funny gags with Goober having to take off, and put on Barney's fuel pump repeatedly. Barney's nervous fear of Avery Noonan (Ted White) is played brilliantly to the hilt. Barney puts Andy and all of Mayberry in grave danger concealing Warden Hix's phone call. Andy appears to be ready to admonish Barney after Hix's second call. The train depot whole scene is a TAGS masterpiece. Andy tossing a 50+ lb. Sack of grain like a feather would have surely broke the escapee's neck. Enjoyed Barney's nervous shock first seeing Noonan. Then, Barney's account of delivering his knock out blows to overtake him. A truly wonderful episode. Don Knotts, Andy Griffith, & Jack Burns would have been great together if allowed to make more episodes teamed up. Barney's color episodes are true viewing treats. Ironic we have classic comedy like this when only a few episodes ago a highlight was Clara (Hope Summers) dreadful singing of "Some Enchanted Evening" to dry as dust Harlan Robinson (Woodrow Chambliss).
If Barney had just show Warren in the face, this could have been an excellent episode...
planktonrules24 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
After the 1965-66 season, Don Knotts left "The Andy Griffith Show" to pursue a career in films. It was a mistake in hindsight, as he was sorely missed on the show and Knotts only went on to make a few mediocre films, but considering all the money begin dangled at him, you can't fault him too much. Unfortunately, however, without Barney Fife, the show never again recaptured its original beauty and perfection. And, to make things worse, they introduced a character straight from hell--Warren. Unlike Barney, Warren was not only incompetent but thoroughly unlikable and 100% obnoxious--like a giant walking boil (but even less welcome). Fortunately, Warren's abominable presence only screwed up 8 of the shows and the public couldn't stand him...and he was removed from the show.
Barney is in town and the new Deputy is thrilled to see him and hear Barney's stories of success. Oddly, Warren looks up to Barney and this serves to feed Barney's ego. But, when a prisoner escapes from state prison and he's vowed revenge against Barney, it's up to Andy once again to save Barney's pride and help him avoid being killed.
While this is not a particularly good return episode for Barney because Warren was in it way too often, at least it was better than the previous show--which featured the unpleasing sight of seeing Barney's heart ripped out and thrown in his face (at least figuratively speaking).
Barney is in town and the new Deputy is thrilled to see him and hear Barney's stories of success. Oddly, Warren looks up to Barney and this serves to feed Barney's ego. But, when a prisoner escapes from state prison and he's vowed revenge against Barney, it's up to Andy once again to save Barney's pride and help him avoid being killed.
While this is not a particularly good return episode for Barney because Warren was in it way too often, at least it was better than the previous show--which featured the unpleasing sight of seeing Barney's heart ripped out and thrown in his face (at least figuratively speaking).
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