Mayberry R.F.D. (TV Series) Sensitivity Training (1970) User Reviews

Howard's new outlook

[JordanThomasHall · 5/10 · 23 January 2020]

Howard walks his date Carol (Maggie Malooly) home and prepares to leave with little emotions. Carol has been taking a sensitivity class and decides to be honest with Howard. She tells him she doesn't want a second date because he is too restrained and inhibited. Howard decides to take the sensitivity class and his group is comprised of free spirit, beatnik types. He discussed his fears with the group and when they weren't judgmental, he suddenly has a new outlook. Howard goes to work the next day relaxed, casually dressed, and happy. He suggests leading a sensitivity class in Mayberry with his friends. Millie talks Sam, Goober and Emmett into reluctantly going to Howard's house for the group lesson. The exercise only leads to hurt feelings and tension. But from it is a moral realization.

This episode works toward a decent moral message, but in getting there is rather flat and strained.

Very imaginative script for MRFD

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 30 November 2023]

We get a rare look at Jack Dodson's true way he carries himself walking down the street casually dressed the day after the original sensitivity class. The actors like he and George Lindsey totally change their gait, facial expressionns, and mannerisms being in character.

The original sensitivity session was each individual opening up. Not participants finding fault with and throwing verbal jabs at the others. It's never pointed out Howard totally botched up the sensitivity session in his home.

We see glimpses of the new studio lot and sets. The painted background out of Emmett's shop window looks quite different. More cute outfits for pretty Millie Swanson (Arlene Golonka).

Only one good scene in this entire episode.

[kfo9494 · 5/10 · 7 October 2014]

The best part of this episode is when stiff Howard takes a class with some beatniks that appears to have been smoking something other than tobacco. But other than that- this show was disappointing in more ways than one.

It starts when Howard wants to be more open with people that he encounters on a daily basis so he ends up taking a sensitivity class where he becomes a man that lives by how he feels. The always stiff Howard begins wearing open collar shirts and bold colors which makes people notice.

Everything is going well until he wants to start his own class with some of the gang from Mayberry. Things do not go as planned at these meetings.

As already stated I enjoyed the one scene discussed above, but after that scene it episode became rather uncomfortable. Has hard it is to think of Howard in a circle exploring his feeling, it was even worse to see aging Emmett in a circle on the floor. Average show at best.