Moving into its new 8:30 PM Monday timeslot, The Andy Griffith Show entered its fifth season on September 21, 1964 with the episode titled "Opie Loves Helen" (which was actually the sixth episode filmed for Season Five). When his regular partner doesn't show up for his weekly dance class, Opie ends up tripping the light fantastic with his teacher Helen Crump. As a result, Opie develops a strong crush on Helen-causing no end of embarrassment for Helen's boyfriend-and Opie's father-Andy Taylor. "Opie Loves Helen" was written by Bob Ross.

On the occasion of his fifth anniversary with the Mayberry police departmer, short-and-scrawny Deputy Barney goes into a deep blue funk when the State Police Commission imposes new height and weight requirements. Certain that he'll never measure up, Barney tenders his resignation. But Sheriff Andy and his friends converge upon ol' Barn' to make him fatter and taller-within a matter of a few days. Written by Bob Ross, "Barney's Physical" first aired on September 28, 1964.

The Taylor household is turned on its ear when Aunt Bee's sister Nora (Maudie Prickett), brother-in-law Ollie (James Westerfield) and their obnoxious children arrive for an extended visit. Andy Taylor's patience is sorely tested by Ollie's constant bragging, especially when the big blowhard claims that he'd make a better lawman than Andy. A convenient jailbreak-fabricated by Andy and his pals-has the salutary effect of shutting Ollie up once and for all (or so we hope!) First telecast on October 5, 1964, "Family Visit" was written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum.

Aunt Bee is swept off her feet when her former sweetheart Roger Hanover (Wallace Ford) pays a visit after 20 years. But Andy and Opie are not susceptible to Roger's charms, believing the man to be a gilt-edged phony. When Andy demands to know Roger's intentions, the sharkish Mr. Hanover threatens to wed Aunt Bee unless a $400 payoff is forthcoming. First telecast October 19, 1964, "Aunt Bee's Romance" was written by Howard Bullock.

Ernest T. Bass is back in town, this time demanding to get a grade-school diploma. Teacher Helen Crump allows Ernest T. to participate in her fifth-grade classroom, but is soon driven to distraction by his imbecilic interruptions. Losing her temper, she raps Ernest on the knuckles with her ruler-whereupon the dimwitted hillbilly instantly falls in love with her! Like many of the best "Ernest T." episodes, "The Education of Ernest T. Bass" was written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum. It was first broadcast on October 12, 1964.

Filmed as the first episode of The Andy Griffith Show's fifth season, "Barney's Bloodhound" was not telecast until October 26, 1964, by which time the season was already six weeks old. Hoping to track down an escaped convict (Arthur Banatides), Barney adds a stray bloodhound named Blue to the Mayberry Police Force. Alas, Blue does not respond to Barney's commands-and even worse, the dog develops a strong affection for the fugitive! "Barney's Blodhound" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick.

For the umpteenth time in the past five years, sweethearts Barney and Thelma Lou have another quarrel and stop speaking to each other. Hoping to bring the couple back together again, Andy applies a little reverse psychology. Not only does the plan backfire, but before long Barney and Thel aren't speaking to Andy either-and the situation only gets worse from this point onward. Written by Andy Griffith Show newcomers Gus Adrian and David Evans, "Man In the Middle" first aired November 2, 1964.

Incensed when Deputy Barney gives him a ticket for littering, tough guy Fred Plummer (Allen Melvin) threatens to beat Barney senseless if he ever catches him out of uniform. Accordingly, the nervous Barney wears his uniform on a "24/7" basis-until, fed up by his own cowardice, he finally decides to don his "civvies" and face the music. To save Barney from a pummelling, Andy enlists the aid of local judo instructor Izamoto (Yuki Shimoda) First broadcast on November 9, 1964, "Barney's Uniform" was written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick.

Opie finds a wallet containing $50-and if no one claims the wallet within a week, the money is his. But Opie can't wait that long, and begins spending his own allowance on "spec." The owner of the wallet finally shows up at the courthouse when Andy is out, leaving Opie to make a crucial decision-a decision that, alas, is misinterpreted by the conclusion-jumping Andy. Written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, "Opie's Fortune" was originally telecast on November 16, 1964.

Andy heads to Raleigh, there to interview for a job as that city's sheriff. Assuming that he will be Andy's successor, Barney casts about for a new deputy, but the only candidates turn out to be dimwitted mechanic Goober Pyle, town drunk Otis Campbell and octogenarian Judd (Burt Mustin). By the time Andy returns to Mayberry, chaos is reigning supreme. First aired on November 23, 1964, "Goobye, Sheriff Taylor" was written by Fred Freeman and Lawrence J. Cohen.