I've watched the first 5 episodes from season 5 and it seems that things are a little different. It seems like Jim is struggling to keep the Gomer character going. It's difficult to describe, he's just different. It's not quite a parody, but getting close. Does anyone else think things were a little different in season 5?

I havent noticed anything too much different, but it's possible by the 5th season Jim Nabors was getting a little tired of being Gomer Pyle. I think he wanted the series to end after the 5th season, if I recall after Gomer was cancelled Jim Nabors went on to do his own TV variety show.

Gomer Pyle is the one military based sitcom I enjoy, I dislike all other military sitcoms. Same goes for sitcoms based on the police, I dislike all of those too. To me, it's poor taste to joke about or make light of the police and military. Gomer Pyle is the one exception. It's a well scripted show, Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton play their roles very well and they made the series a success.