In the Christmas Episode (season 1) there are a few flaws I noticed:
1. Ben goes to the back of the jail and stands in an alley. The wall is to his left when he's standing on the crate to look into the jail. If he entered the alley the wall would have been to his right--but there shouldn't have been a wall to begin with when you view the layout from the front of the jail. Floyds babershop is connected to the jail. Second, when Ben is standing in the alley you see trees behind him. Where did the trees come from if he's standing in an alley with a wall to his left? A building would have been behind him, not an open space.
2. There is a door in the courthouse to the left, beside the two cells, near the front. Where does the door open up to if the jail is connected to Flopyds barbershop?
3. When Barny comes in with the mail and all the Christmas cards you see the outside when he opens the door--to me it looked like a curtain with painted scenery on it. The curtain even seemed wrinkled (if that's a good word to use).
4. In the opening scene you see several prisoners in the cells. Each cell only holds one bed. Andy didn't have any more pillows. Where were all the prisoners going to sleep? On the floor? Barny couldn't go to the Christmas party because he had to stay at the jail and guard the prisoners overnight. Also, you don't see a bathroom in any of the cells and you never see a bathroom in the courthouse.
5. How did Ben catch Sam moonshining? Sam said he only made up a batch for Christmas. Was Ben watching Sam's property? Why didn't Ben just call Andy? How far did Ben have to haul Sam in order to reach the jail? Did he catch Sam in town? No. You see Andy driving up the street he lives on with Sam's family when he goes to get them.
These are some fun flaws. Nothing serious. Laughable stuff that someone like me who has watched the Christmas episode countless times begins to notice. I'll watch the Christmas episode coutnless more times, too--and smile with joy each time. No show is ever going to be without flaws.
Season 1 is my favorite season. I didn't care of the later seasons. I don't watch past season 3. When Don Knotts left the show the show plumetted in my view. Warren was plain awful. Andy's character changed from fun to boring and serious. Opie got older and changed. To me Mayberry will always be the Christmas Episode with Barney happily exclaiming, "Merry Christmas!"
Doses anyone else have any fun facts about the Christmas episode?
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