Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
With Pebbles now part of the Flintstone household, Fred’s pride and protectiveness become recurring sources of trouble. He dreams that Arnold will grow up to take his place in Pebbles’s life, and enters her in a beauty contest. Dino feels neglected as the adults lavish attention on the baby and runs away. The Rubbles’ family also changes in a major way. After Fred’s irritation at their frequent visits makes Barney and Betty confront their longing for a child, the couple wish for one and find Bamm-Bamm left in a basket on their doorstep. His extraordinary strength is apparent from the start, but raising him requires more than affection.
Barney and Betty must petition to adopt Bamm-Bamm and face a custody challenge from wealthy Mr. Stonyfeller. In court, Barney’s testimony falters and the judge awards custody to the richer applicant. Stonyfeller then learns that his wife is expecting their own child and gives Bamm-Bamm to the Rubbles permanently. Barney does not hear the decision at first and leaves the courthouse devastated; Betty, Fred and Wilma bring Bamm-Bamm to him and explain that the adoption is settled. The series then places the two young children within the friends’ everyday life: Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm are present in family outings, Fred and Barney’s work and lodge schemes, and episodes where their parents’ attempts to show off or keep control create fresh complications.