When Barney wants to give the force another weapon in their arsenal to fight crime he brings in a canine who he says is part Bloodhound. That would be the unruly Blue. One look tells whatever breeds are mixed into Blue, Bloodhound ain't the most prominent. Blue is a lovable scruff who prefers laying around to about everything. Andy, realizing this tries to dissuade Barney to no avail. When it is asked of our lawmen duo to search the upper lake area for an escaped convict
Barney seizes the opportunity pressing Blue in the hunt against Andy's pleadings. This is classic and clueless Barney who we love. Naturally Blue gets separated and finds the convict. Finding Blue with what Barney mistakes for a fisherman whom he warns of danger leads to Barney's rattling off a description that he tells the man is quite like him. Then Barney, still not catching on, unfolds the wanted poster. Imagine what happens then? Andy notices, while looking for Barney, one of the old cabins has smoke coming from the chimney. Peering in Andy sees the situation. The convict is napping and Andy gets Barney's attention telling him he's going to surprise the convict. Of course Barney gets mixed up thinking he's supposed to make a run for it the minute Andy opens the door. Now both Andy and Barney are hostages. Yep, this is Barney just as wonderfully dim-witted as we have come to love. But, wait, Blue has one trick he does without fail and Andy uses it surprising the witless convict. Blue mauls him with a body slam and all is suddenly righted. Barney, of course, believes Blue to be the hero as the surprised convict loses his control, and gun.
Back at the jail with the convict in a cell Barney ain't finished. He's still trying to prove to Andy that Blue is coming right along. Of course this almost goes south in a big way! We're left with hoping the egg on Barney's face puts the Bloodhound issue to bed.
True, this episode's premise has been played out at least twice before. What makes it good is Blue the dog. He's just as clueless as Barney, so the combination makes for a funny take on things. Basically, Blue takes Gomers place one could say...it works enough to go the well again. Fun episode.
One thing I never realized until this episode is that Howard Morris plays the never seen radio singing personality, Leonard Blush. You can tell he's also the announcer introducing Blush. Morris makes this a kind of "easter egg" thing for viewers. Plus, as Morris is actually a singer as well as actor it's sure bet he actually sings the Blush song. Nice extra.
Back at the jail with the convict in a cell Barney ain't finished. He's still trying to prove to Andy that Blue is coming right along. Of course this almost goes south in a big way! We're left with hoping the egg on Barney's face puts the Bloodhound issue to bed.
True, this episode's premise has been played out at least twice before. What makes it good is Blue the dog. He's just as clueless as Barney, so the combination makes for a funny take on things. Basically, Blue takes Gomers place one could say...it works enough to go the well again. Fun episode.
One thing I never realized until this episode is that Howard Morris plays the never seen radio singing personality, Leonard Blush. You can tell he's also the announcer introducing Blush. Morris makes this a kind of "easter egg" thing for viewers. Plus, as Morris is actually a singer as well as actor it's sure bet he actually sings the Blush song. Nice extra.
