Opie's friend Arnold decides to throw a party for all of his friends, one where they will all have dates and dancing and the like. Opie asks Mary Alice Carter to go as his date and is really happy when she says yes. This is a big deal for Opie and Andy buys him a new suit for the occasion. Out of the blue however, Mary Alice informs him that she will not be going to the party with him after all as she is now going with another more popular boy, Fred Simpson. Opie's enthusiasm for the party fades and when Andy hears why, he realizes that if he does nothing to reinforce Opie's self-confidence and self-esteem, it could scar him for life.