“Getting Settled” is the second episode of The Beverly Hillbillies, originally airing on September 26, 1962. In this episode, the Clampett family begins adjusting to their new life in Beverly Hills after moving from their rural home. This episode focuses on the humorous challenges they face as they try to understand and adapt to their luxurious new surroundings while staying true to their country roots.
Setting the Stage
At the beginning of the episode, the Clampetts are still getting used to their massive mansion in Beverly Hills. Despite their new wealth, they have no understanding of how to use the modern conveniences and amenities available to them. This contrast between their simple, rustic background and the opulence of their new home forms the basis for much of the episode’s humor.
Jed Clampett, the patriarch, along with Granny, Elly May, and Jethro, are all trying to make sense of their new environment. They have moved from a life of self-sufficiency on their farm to a life of unimaginable luxury, but they are still thinking like country folk, leading to many misunderstandings.
Learning the Basics of Modern Life
One of the primary sources of comedy in this episode is the Clampetts’ interactions with the household staff and technology. The mansion comes equipped with many modern gadgets that the family is unfamiliar with, such as electric appliances and indoor plumbing.
For example, the family mistakes the mansion’s intercom system for some form of “talking box,” and they have trouble understanding the purpose of household devices like a dishwasher or washing machine. Granny, who had always been the one to do household chores by hand, is especially confused by these newfangled machines, thinking they are either unnecessary or too complicated.
Jed, in his kind and patient way, tries to make sense of everything while remaining calm and open to learning. He is willing to give the Beverly Hills lifestyle a chance, though he remains rooted in his values and common sense. He often reflects on what he sees as the wastefulness or extravagance of modern life, in contrast to the simple, practical life they led in the country.
Granny’s Struggles
Granny, the matriarch of the family, has the hardest time adjusting to their new surroundings. She is set in her old ways and doesn’t trust the conveniences of modern living. In this episode, she becomes convinced that something is wrong with the “city” way of doing things and wants to go back to the old ways.
Granny attempts to cook and clean as she did back home, even though the mansion’s kitchen is full of gadgets designed to make her life easier. She is highly suspicious of the oven and refrigerator, preferring to cook over an open fire and store food in a root cellar, as she did in the countryside.
Her sense of pride and independence is challenged as she grapples with the reality that her old methods seem outdated in Beverly Hills. However, her humorous determination to stick with what she knows is one of the highlights of the episode. Throughout the episode, Granny’s antics, such as trying to find a way to churn butter in a modern kitchen, lead to comedic moments that show the culture clash between rural and urban lifestyles.
Elly May and Jethro’s Adaptation
Elly May and Jethro, the younger members of the family, also have their own unique ways of adjusting to Beverly Hills. Elly May, Jed’s daughter, is an outdoorsy, animal-loving girl who has brought along her pets, including raccoons, possums, and other wild creatures, much to the shock of the Beverly Hills residents.
In this episode, Elly May’s love for animals leads to some amusing situations, as she lets her pets roam freely around the mansion. The high-society lifestyle of Beverly Hills doesn’t quite mix with Elly May’s down-to-earth, country habits, and her animals become a source of both joy and confusion for the family.
Jethro, Jed’s nephew, is more eager to embrace the new, flashy lifestyle of Beverly Hills. In this episode, he is particularly fascinated by the idea of becoming a “big city man.” He is excited about the prospects of wealth and status, and although he is not particularly bright, his enthusiasm for exploring the city’s luxuries is a key part of his character’s comedic charm.
Jethro’s desire to fit into this new world often leads to him overestimating his abilities or misunderstanding the social cues of the rich and famous. His overconfidence provides many laughs, as he tries to act like a sophisticated man but fails due to his lack of understanding of high society.
Mr. Drysdale’s Role
Mr. Drysdale, the Clampetts’ banker, plays a significant role in this episode as he tries to help the family adjust to their new life in Beverly Hills. He is keen to keep the Clampetts as clients due to their immense wealth, so he goes out of his way to ensure they feel comfortable in their new home.
In this episode, Mr. Drysdale tries to explain the many features of the mansion to the Clampetts, but his efforts are often met with confusion and skepticism. He also has to deal with the concerns of his wife, Mrs. Drysdale, who is not as enthusiastic about the Clampetts being their neighbors. She finds their rural ways embarrassing and wishes they would act more like the other residents of Beverly Hills.
Mr. Drysdale’s attempts to bridge the gap between the Clampetts’ old-fashioned ways and the modern world around them are a recurring theme in this episode and throughout the series. His eagerness to maintain the Clampetts’ wealth in his bank often leads him to overlook their eccentricities, resulting in humorous interactions.
Conclusion of the Episode
By the end of the episode, the Clampetts are still far from fully settled, but they are beginning to come to terms with their new life in Beverly Hills. Although they continue to face many humorous challenges as they learn how to navigate modern life, they remain true to their country values and stick together as a family.
“Getting Settled” captures the essence of what makes The Beverly Hillbillies so charming — the clash between two vastly different worlds and the resulting comedic situations. The Clampetts, with their simplicity and sincerity, stand in stark contrast to the opulence and sophistication of Beverly Hills, but their genuine nature wins over the audience, making this episode and the series as a whole a beloved classic.
