As a big Dick York fan, I have to admit I never totally adjusted to Dick Sargent as Durwood, Derweed or whatever his name was. The seventh season was Sargent’s second in the role and by then he seemed to almost fade of the screen. I kept thinking he might bring some originality to the role but instead, Darrin morphed into the straight-forward, boring dweeb Endora (Agnes Moorehead), always accused him of being.
That said, times they were a changin’ on Morning Glory Circle by the sitcom’s 1970-71 season. Perhaps sensing that the series regular format was played out, the show began to incorporate political humor and an occasionally controversial issue.
Season seven began with an ambitious eight-part story arc in which Samantha and Darrin visit Salem, Massachusetts. The cast and crew went on location in June, 1970 to Salem, Magnolia and Gloucester, Massachusetts. This would mark the only time the series would be shoot outside of the Hollywood, California studios. This was done out of necessity, after part of their Hollywood studio set burned down and had to be rebuilt. Sam, Darrin and Endora head of to Salem after Sam is called to appear at a meeting by the High Priestess of Witches, Hepzibah. It’s great to see the cast of Bewitched outside the confines of their studio set. The setting in Salem gives the series a fresh look and gives the actors (in particular Elizabeth Montgomery and Agnes Moorehead) a chance to spread their wings. Apparently audiences agreed, because the eight “Salem Saga” episodes, as they became known, helped improve the show’s ratings.
The evolving relationship between Samantha and Darrin is tough to pin down. He eagerly agrees to go to the convention with Sam. He vacillates between supporting her powers as a witch and wishing they would just go away. “In Salem, Here We Come,” Darrin admits that he’d get on his knees and apologize to the Witches’ Council if that would mean Sam could get her powers back, because those powers are what make Sam, Sam. And in “Samantha’s Magic Potion,” he finally gives in to his resistance to witchcraft, willingly taking Sam’s (fake) spell that turns him into the world’s best ad man. Later in the season, in “Samantha’s Psychic Pslip,” Darrin rewards Sam with a gift for her not using her powers (which causes Sam enough guilt to affect her magic). At first, I thought Darrin’s ever-changing feelings about Sam’s use of witchcraft pointed to a lack of consistency on the part of Bewitched. However, the more I thought about it, I realized that Darrin is truly a conflicted man. Here, he loves this woman with magical powers; on one hand, he wants her to be who she is, on the other, he wants to be an ordinary American couple.
There’s no doubt that Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher took note of the changing political environment and began to incorporate some of their beliefs into the series. Regularly in the seventh season, references are made to “mortal prejudices” and intolerance. The witches in Bewitched (as well as the increasingly visible hippies in the backgrounds) are obviously more “liberal” in their beliefs. In Salem, Here We Come, a mortal asks Hephzibah, the supreme witch on the Witches’ Council, if her beautiful name is Biblical, to which she sneers, “Hardly.” When Paul Revere is accidentally transported back to 20th century America, a hippie hanging out in park says, “Right on!” to Revere’s call for arms. When Sam takes an aged Darrin to the drive-in in “Samantha’s Old Man,” a young couple next to them flashes Sam a peace sign. Their side bumper sticker says: “America – Change It or Lose It.” And most obviously, in “Samantha’s Psychic Pslip,” when Dr. Bombay (Bernard Fox) is asked what his “Witchfinder” machine does, Darrin offers, “It points out suspected liberals.” While Bewitched could never be called a truly progressive series, during the seventh season Montgomery and Asher made it pretty clear they stood on the more liberal side of the issues.
In “Sister’s of the Heart,” (said to be one of Elizabeth Montgomery’s favorite episodes of the series) Tabitha (Erin Murphy) wants to be sisters with her friend Lisa because they get so well. However, she is discouraged when someone at the playground tells them that’s impossible, because Tabitha is white, Lisa black. The issue is further examined when a potential client of Darrin’s turns him down after thinking Lisa is his child. Tabitha uses witchcraft to blink polka dots on both her and Lisa. Samantha then tells them that they don’t have to look the same to be sisters because they are sisters at heart. Then, after a well-deserved lesson from Samantha, Mr. Brockaway admits that he is a racist and wants Darrin to handle his account as his apology. Though it may be considered politically incorrect today, because some of the actors wore blackface in a scene, the episode remains a highly effective message against racism.
Bewitched being the series that it is, still offers up plenty of episodes just for laughs during the seventh season, much in the “Salem Saga” is fun. “This Little Piggie” has one of the most surreal moments in a series filled with surreal moments: Darrin, sporting a pig’s head, squealing along with Samantha on a spare ribs jingle. And in his final appearance as Uncle Arthur, Paul Lynde delivers with this funny episode where he infuses all his pranking into the Stephens’ home. While the special effects are good, Lynde steals the show with his campy line readings. Paul Lynde was one of the funniest men on television!
Bewitched – The Complete Seventh Season is a must have for all fans.
Here are the 28, one-half hour episodes of the four-disc boxed set Bewitched – The Complete Seventh Season, as described on their slimcases:
DISC ONE
To Go Or Not to Go, That is the Question
Samantha is summoned to appear at the Witches’ Convention in Salem, Massachusetts, but she refuses to attend unless Darrin can accompany her.
Salem, Here We Come
The High Priestess Hephzibah moves in with the Stephens family to observe mortal life and to determine once and for all whether or not Samantha and Darrin’s marriage should be dissolved.
Salem Saga
On a tour of the House of Seven Gables, Samantha gets chased around by an enchanted bedwarmer that takes an immediate dislike to Darrin.
Samantha’s Hot Bedwarmer
While Darrin sits in jail, accused of stealing the bedwarmer, Samantha tries to find the spell that will change the antique back into the warlock it originally was.
Darrin on a Pedestal
While seeing the sights of Gloucester, Serena zaps the famed Fisherman’s Memorial statue to life and replaces it with Darrin.
Paul Revere Rides Again
Esmeralda accidentally zaps Paul Revere into the 20th century when she tries to send a colonial tea pot back to Samantha.
Samantha’s Bad Day In Salem
Is Samantha having an affair? It looks that way to Larry Tate who thinks he saw her behind the House of Seven Gables with an old beau.
DISC TWO
Samantha’s Old Salem Trip
Endora sends Darrin back to 17th-century Salem to rescue Samantha, who was sent there by Esmeralda by mistake. But before returning home, Samantha tries to convince the townspeople that those who were convicted in the Salem trials were actually mortals and not witches.
Samantha’s Pet Warlock
Darrin brings home a strange-looking dog in hopes of landing a pet food account. It turns out that the pooch is an old warlock friend of Samantha who is trying to win her heart.
Samantha’s Old Man
Endora changes Darrin into a 72-year-old man in an attempt to show Samantha what she will be in for in the next 30 years.
The Corsican Cousins
Wishing that her daughter were more carefree like Serena, Endora casts a spell that has the two cousins sharing Serena’s personality. This is bad timing for Samantha, as she is about to be interviewed for membership into a stuffy country club owned by a prospective client of McMann & Tate.
Samantha’s Magic Potion
Samantha concocts a scheme to convince Darrin that the recent run of bad luck he has at the office was not caused by witchcraft.
Sisters at Heart
It looks like a white Christmas…and a black one when Tabitha and her friend Lisa, wishing that they could be blood sisters, teach a bigoted client a lesson in racism.
The Mother-in-Law of the Year
Endora is delighted at being selected to appear on a TV commercial for Darrin’s client, but when she backs out at the last minute, Samantha must substitute as her mother in order to save the account.
DISC THREE
Mary, The Good Fairy
After a visit to the Stephenses’ house, the Good Fairy decides that she is tired of her job and wants to surrender her wings.
The Good Fairy Strikes Again.
With the Good Fairy in retirement, Samantha has reluctantly become her permanent replacement, much to the objection of Darrin.
The Return of Darrin, the Bold
Endora and Serena scheme to turn Darrin into a warlock by putting a spell on one of his ancestors who lived in the 14th century.
The House That Uncle Arthur Built
Uncle Arthur is engaged to be married, but only if he can leave behind the practical joking ways that drive his fiancée crazy.
Samantha and the Troll
While subbing for Samantha (who’s off having a one-day medical exam), Serena charms Darrin’s attractive client, much to the objection of his very jealous wife.
This Little Piggie
When Endora gives Darrin a pig’s head to prove how stubborn he can be, she does not realize she is helping him land a spare ribs account.
Mixed Doubles
A strange molecular disturbance causes Samantha and Louise Tate to exchange lives in the eyes of the entire mortal world – including Darrin and Larry!
DISC FOUR
Darrin Goes Ape
Serena changes Darrin into a gorilla after he insults her by refusing to accept the gift she gave him as a peace offering.
Money Happy Returns
When Darrin finds a large sum of money in the back seat of a taxicab, he immediately thinks that it was left there for him by his meddling mother-in-law.
Out of the Mouths of Babes
After being turned into a child by Endora, Darrin uses his youthful disguise to convince a client that his awful-tasting Irish stew would be best served to dogs.
Samantha’s Psychic Pslip
Samantha’s witchcraft goes out of control every time she hiccups. These occurrences begin after she accepts a gift from Darrin she believes she does not deserve.
Samantha’s Magic Mirror
Esmeralda’s ego is badly in need of a boost, so Samantha gives her a complete makeover just in time for a reunion with an old suitor.
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
Nobody is laughing after Endora’s spell provides Darrin with an offensive sense of humor.
Samantha and the Antique Doll
Darrin’s mother is convinced that she has magical powers after she witnesses a doll she gave to Tabitha floating across the room.
The color seasons have been much sharper than the black and whites, and this season is pretty grain-free except for location filming. The colors are bright, with Endora’s outfits and flaming hair as garish as ever. There’s no fading whatsoever. The presentation is 1.33:1.
The music seems louder than the dialogue, and so you have to turn it up to hear. There’s a flatness to the sound as well. The audio once again comes in English, Spanish, or Portuguese Dolby Digital Mono, with English closed captions and Spanish or Portuguese subtitles.
There are no extras except for the episode “Sister’s at Heart,” which includes the original openings and closings featuring Elizabeth Montgomery.
