Right, Mabel Albertson as mother was a gem with her chronic pains and discomfort and we are introduced to Howard Sprague who lets his mother control him like a small boy. Helen, control freak, gets it into her head to plan a double date with Howard and the new county nurse. Howard acts like the last thing he wants to do is date a female.
I thought there were a few subtle laughs delivered by Andy especially at the restaurant but most unbelievable was that a woman like Miss Fairchild would be available for a date with Howard whom Opie even made fun of. Miss Fairchild was friendly, pretty, patient and almost perfect yet all Howard could think about was Mother. One would think he would at least be embarrassed by his relationship with her.
The Howard Sprague character was certainly an added bonus and was the main character in many future episodes. He seemed to show little interest in the county nurse but later when he meets the sister of the teenager he is trying to help he shirks his studying to be with her. Maybe Howard is a late bloomer. I really enjoyed the Howard episodes especially when he goes to a Caribbean island and throws a bachelor bash. Jack Dodson did a great job playing a guy who goes from being as dry as dust to an adventurous bachelor.
I thought there were a few subtle laughs delivered by Andy especially at the restaurant but most unbelievable was that a woman like Miss Fairchild would be available for a date with Howard whom Opie even made fun of. Miss Fairchild was friendly, pretty, patient and almost perfect yet all Howard could think about was Mother. One would think he would at least be embarrassed by his relationship with her.
The Howard Sprague character was certainly an added bonus and was the main character in many future episodes. He seemed to show little interest in the county nurse but later when he meets the sister of the teenager he is trying to help he shirks his studying to be with her. Maybe Howard is a late bloomer. I really enjoyed the Howard episodes especially when he goes to a Caribbean island and throws a bachelor bash. Jack Dodson did a great job playing a guy who goes from being as dry as dust to an adventurous bachelor.
