2009/06/21

Greatest Fatherhood Moment on TV

DaGoddess @ 15:03

The Mr. McBeevee episode of The Andy Griffith Show.

Opie’s sent to his room for lying about the man who walks in the treetops, makes smoke come out his ears, and many other “magical” things. Andy walks in the room and tells Opie he better confess to making up his new friend. The boy tries. He tries to tell his pa what he wants to hear, but it’s in direct conflict with another lesson Andy taught him: Always tell the truth.

“I can’t tell you Mr. McBeevee is make believe, Pa. He’s real. Don’t you believe me?” Opie asks in all earnestness.

“Don’t you believe me?”

That line right there, delivered with a heapin’ helpin’ of heartache, is enough for Andy to believe in his son, right or wrong. A father…believing in his son…even though it seems impossible that Opie could be telling the truth. It’s an instant where a father makes that great leap of faith — for the sake of his kid — and wins his child over. It’s a magic moment. And a great reminder for all parents to sometimes suspend disbelief and just follow your child. Just listen. Just be there for them.

Andy did. And he got to meet Mr. McBeevee.

2 Comments

  1. One of the most wonderful moments on film!

    TAGS is my favorite TV show EVER. Each of those early episodes taught us a valuable lesson and I know that I’m better for watching.

    That episode is one of the best, I think, along with Opie the Birdman. And Aunt Bea’s pickles. Okay, so they’re all good.

    Comment by pamibe — 2009/06/21 @ 15:42

  2. The Birdman ep was good, too. But this one says so much about learning to believe in your kids as much as they believe in you.

    Oh, and don’t even start me on the pickle episode!

    Comment by DaGoddess — 2009/06/21 @ 18:38

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