Customer Reviews

Bewitched - The Complete Second Season (B&W)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Between 1964 and 1972, TV audiences were mesmerized by a lovely fictional witch named Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery, 1933-1995) who fell in love with an ordinary mortal named Darrin Stevens (for the first five seasons, played by Dick York, 1928-1992). Initially, Darrin didn't know that Samantha was a witch and was initially frightened by the prospect upon learning about it, but his love for Samantha was very strong. Equally in love with Darrin, Samantha promised not to use her powers and learn how to live as an ordinary mortal herself. However, Samantha periodically found that using a little witchcraft from time to time wasn't a bad thing; especially when one of her relatives that didn't approve of her marriage with Darrin decided to pay a visit. In particular, neither her mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead, 1900-1974), nor her father, Maurice (regularly returning guest actor Maurice Evans, 1901-1989), were particularly fond of Darrin and often referred to him as "What's His Name", "Dustbin", "Derwood" or some other unflattering name. However, Samantha's sensitive and very kind Aunt Clara (regularly returning guest actress Marion Lorne, 1883-1968), who had a penchant for collecting doorknobs, liked Darrin; but Darrin (and Samantha) would often get a little nervous when she paid a visit because her powers didn't always do what Aunt Clara expected. Three of Samantha's other aunts who would visit less frequently were Aunt Agatha (occasional returning guest actress Georgia Schmidt, 1904-1997), Aunt Bertha (occasional returning guest actress Reta Shaw, 1912-1982) and Aunt Hagatha (Diana Chesney). Then, there's Samantha's joke-loving Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde, 1926-1982) who made his first appearance in the second season. Recognizing the difficulties that could occur if other mortals found out that Samantha and her relatives were witches and warlocks, Darrin and Samantha do their very best to keep other mortals from learning their secret. This includes Darrin's boss Larry Tate (David White, 1916-1990), his wife Louise (played in the first two seasons by Irene Vernon, 1922-1998), Darrin's often-confused mother Phyllis (Mabel Albertson, 1901-1982) and his sensible father Frank (Robert F. Simon, 1908-1992). After Darrin and Samantha purchase their house in the fictitious neighborhood of "Morning Glory Circle", they must contend with a very nosy neighbor across the street by the name of Gladys Kravitz (first two seasons by Alice Pearce, 1917-1966); but her husband Abner (George Tobias, 1901-1980) always managed to keep her in check.

What made "Bewitched" such a wonderful show was the quality of the acting, the quality of the story writing (for at least the first 5 seasons), the very engaging and interesting characters and the comedy. Sadly, Dick York had to leave show due to health reasons following the fifth season; but the show continued to be produced for an additional 3 seasons with Darrin being played by Dick Sargent (1930-1994). Unfortunately, Dick Sargent wasn't as popular with fans as Dick York had been and in the closing seasons the writing began to suffer as stories from earlier seasons began to be repeated. Overall, though, the show was remarkably entertaining.

The second season had 38 wonderful episodes: "Alias Darrin Stephens" (Samantha is pregnant, but Aunt Clara accidentally turned Darrin into a chimpanzee); "A Very Special Delivery"; "We're in for a Bad Spell"; "My Grandson the Warlock" (Maurice mistakenly thinks that the Tates' baby is his grandson); "The Joker Is a Card" (Uncle Arthur is introduced); "Take Two Aspirins", "Trick or Treat" (Halloween with the Stevens); "The Very Informal Dress"; "...And Then I Wrote"; "Junior Executive"; "Aunt Clara's Old Flame"; "A Strange Little Visitor"; "My Boss the Teddy Bear" (Darrin thinks that Endora turned Larry into a teddy bear); "Speak the Truth" (Aunt Hagatha is introduced); "A Vision of Sugar Plums"; "The Magic Cabin" (one of my favorite episodes with Darrin & Samantha staying for the weekend in Larry's rundown cabin); "Maid to Order" (Alice Ghostley as the accident-prone maid Naomi before she would return in the sixth season as the better-known maid Esmerelda, replacing the deceased Marion Lorne's character of Aunt Clara as the witch with unpredictable powers); "And Then There Were Three" (Tabitha is born); "My Baby, The Tycoon"; "Samantha Meet the Folks"; "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue"; "The Dancing Bear"; "Double Tate"; "Samantha the Dressmaker" (Samantha zaps up fancy dresses); "The Horse's Mouth" (Samantha turns a horse named Dolly into a human, played by Patty Regan, 1930-1996); "Baby's First Paragraph" (Gladys thinks that the infant Tabitha talk thanks to Endora); "The Leprechaun"; "Double Split"; "Disappearing Samantha"; "Follow That Witch" (two parts, a fantastic pair of episodes); "A Bum Raps"; "Divided He Falls"; "Man's Best Friend"; "The Catnapper"; "What Every Young Man Should Know"; "The Girl with the Golden Nose" and "Prodigy"

Overall, I rate "Bewitched: The Complete Second Season" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. Whether you decide to purchase it in its original black and white or colorized version, you'll be sure to enjoy each and every episode.

How great it is that the second season of "Bewitched" is coming to DVD so soon on the heels of the first season, again in both original black & white or colorized options. In my opinion there are some real gems in this season. The one where Uncle Arthur plays a trick on Darrin, making him think he can cast a spell on Endora with an incantation, cow bell and duck call (see the title of this review for how it went) is a real hoot. This season also has the one where Endora had a small statue that made mortals tell the truth when they were close to it, as well as the one where she divided Darren into a "fun side" and a "work side". These three episodes are just a drop in the bucket of the fine entertainment that will await you if you buy this set. I will definitely just go ahead and order it off Amazon from the start this time, since I got a rude awakening real quick in trying to find the B/W version of season one at any retail stores around here. At least this is the last season where any trouble will be had, since from season three to the end the show was in color by default!

Ahh, color is nice, but if you want to enjoy the season the way it was made in the first place, this black and white DVD collection is for you. Remember this season is also offered in remastered color, so you might want to take a gander if black and white seems out of place for you. These episodes have been remastered and look very good considering their age (1965) and fans will love having them in their Bewitched collection. A few of the episodes are basic flashbacks from Season 1, which is a bit annoying because they are just recordings from the previous season. Sure there are only a few, but why do episodes that were in the previous season? Very odd. Anyway...

Season 2 contains a whopping 38 wonderful episodes in all, one gigantic Season for true fans that want to enjoy some serious bewitching entertainment. As fans know, these timeless episodes have easily withstood the test of time, even here in 2005 I'm loving it all. Season 2 still includes the very funny antics of Alice Pearce and George Tobias (Kravitz's)as they reprise their roles as the nosy neighbors across the street. Alice Pearce is a wonderful actress as her nosy-self just makes the series all that more enjoyable. Her relationship with her husband reminds me of the "Roepers" from Three's Company, the crazy one liners from the two will draw chuckles every time!

Unfortunately you'll only be able to enjoy her throughout season 2 as she (sadly) does not return for Season 3 and is replaced by a lesser known, so enjoy the very best Mrs. Kravitz now! Alice Pearce (Mrs. Kravitz) developed cancer in the middle of Season 2 and ask you can see by watching, her weight and health deteriorated. She is missing for most of the second 1/2 of the season and they actually saved an earlier episode with her in it to save it for the last one. I for one believe Bewitched would never have been as successful without her in it.

Season 2 also really shines as Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) is throughout this season and she is wonderful. I would have loved to have an Aunt as sweet and funny as her. Sadly, more tragedy. In the real world, Lorne suffered a massive heart attack during Season 2 and explains her absence the second half of the season. Dick York, the most famous Darrin of them all also suffered "unbeknownst to many" through his life as Darrin. He suffered from a constant back ailment and it slowly progressed to the point where he simply could not continue his role. York recalls his feelings every day as Darrin. " "I took pain pills to get to sleep because I didn't want to go to work the next day exhausted." York suffered, and suffered, but fans know he never let anyone know, he fought the pain and made everyone laugh, and that's why he's so special, he just wanted to make people laugh. York finally succombed to lung cancer and passed away in 1992. Sam (Montgomery) life was also cut short due to "colon cancer" and she died at a very youthful 62 years old. Just a little tidbit note, Montgomery was also a very "avid smoker" and was noted as smoking during breaks of the show and was difficult for her not lightup during filming when everyone else on the show usually did. Ok, enough sad stories!

Lookout for Endora and Darrin really battling it out in this grand season. The episode where she turns him into a warewolf on Halloween is priceless entertainment. And I never stop laughing as she still continues to never remember his name...Darwood, Darwin, Darewood, Damian, David, just simply hilarious. And don't worry about Dick York (the favorite Darrin of them all)leaving the series anytime soon, even with his rotten back, he will be around for several more DVD packs, specifically Season 5 and then eventually replaced by Dick Sargeant for Season's 6-8. The big news early in this season is that Sam is going to have a baby! Think she'll be a witch? Do you know what episode Tabitha is born in? If you're fan, you already know the answer! Wiggle your nose and get your copy of Bewitched the Season Season now!

1. Alias Darrin Stephens
2. A Very Special Delivery
3. We're in For a Bad Spell
4. My Grandson the Warlock
5. The Joker is a Card
6. Take Two Aspirin
7. Trick or Treat
8. The Very Informal Dress
9. And Then I Wrote...
10. Junior Executive
11. Aunt Clara's Old Flame
12. A Strange Little Visitor
13. My Boss the Teddy Bear
14. Speak the Truth
15. A Vision of Sugar Plums
16. The Magic Cabin
17. Maid to Order
18. And Then There Were Three
19. My Baby the Tycoon
20. Samantha Meet the Folks
21. Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue
22. The Dancing Bear
23. Double Tate
24. Samantha the Dressmaker
25. The Horse's Mouth
26. Baby's First Paragraph
27. The Leprechaun
28. Double Split
29. Disappearing Samantha
30. Follow That Witch (1)
31. Follow That Witch (2)
32. A Bum Raps
33. Divided He Falls
34. Man's Best Friend
35. The Catnapper
36. What Every Young Man Should Know
37. The Girl With the Golden Nose
38. Prodigy

There are a few things about this dvd set that I can't help but note (since no one else has):

1) The special featurettes on this season & the first season are the stupidest excuses for viewing material that I have ever seen. I feel dumber for having watched them, and endure a slight bitter taste for having bought the dvd sets, which are otherwise wonderful. Basically, the special features are a snotty voice-over pointing out all of the blunders of the brilliant sitcom. Blunders like a lamp being 3 inches out of place on a table in the 2nd of two shots. Seriously. And they state that sort of thing in this mocking, sardonic tone that makes you want to reach through the t.v. and pummel the TV LAND intern who came up with the horrible idea in the first place. ARRRGH. I'm getting mad all over again... So, yeah, they took a wonderful set of classic television (really, some of the best situation comedy ever), and tried to take a dump on it. If anyone involved in the production of future bewitched releases is reading this, PLEASE remember that it would be better to include NO special features than to include insulting ones (insulting to the creators, writers, actors, prop guys (!) and viewers).

2) Why would anyone want to buy a show that was made in Black and White, in color?

3) This is the last season to employ the original cast ensemble, and carries a slight melancholy with it. Poor Gladys Kravitz: she becomes noticibly gaunt in her final episodes; yet maintains her shrieking humor beautifully. The original Louise Tate disappears after this season as well... These are the types of things that would make special features fodder.

4) This marks the ONE & ONLY time that Richard Dreyfuss was cast correctly: as an extremely irritating brat, who tries to steal scenes, but can only muster annoyance from those watching. Well done!

5) Look out for Eve Arden as the nurse in the birth of Tabitha episode... wonderful actress.

Thanks for reading!

THE EPISODES
First of all, watching this second season has been AWESOME!!! These episodes are some of the finest work done by the cast and crew on BW.

Kudos to Sony for including the two remake episodes, #51: "A Vision of Sugar Plums" and #56: "Samantha Meets the Folks". I really didn't think they would, but they pulled through in a pinch. You can tell that they didn't have very good originals to go from for the scenes filmed during the second season as the sound is quite different than the rest of the episodes which were originally filmed in the first season. And the picture isn't as clear, but the very fact that they were included supercedes those minor imperfections.

I did notice on the colorized sets that the coloring this season is not as good as it was for the first season. It gave me the impression that the colorists were in a hurry and didn't really fine tune it. To me, it seems like almost all the characters looks sunburned. So it's good to have the original b&w released as well. I'm glad that this season is the last of the b&ws so that we don't have to worry about more colorized episodes.

I saw very few examples of dust and the other imperfections that come along with film that is this age so that was also pleasing.

The sound on all the episodes is excellent as well (with the exceptions I mentioned above).

THE PACKAGING
The overall package design is quite good in the fact that it evokes the magic of the series and the opening credits. I like that the overall hue was changed from the blue to purple and can only surmize from this that subsequent seasons will each have their own color. The choice of cast photos though is puzzling and shows that whoever is designing these packages is not familiar with the series at all, as anyone who is knows that the characters looks changed practically every season. The picture of Samantha that is on the cover would've went PERFECTLY on the first season box as it is from a promo still from Ep. #10: "Just One Happy Family". Endora's photo is also a promo from the first season. I'm not too sure about the season Durweed's photo comes from because he's one of the characters that looks the same in all seasons, well when the same actor is playing him, anyway.

The thin cases which hold the discs are even MORE puzzling than the outside box in regards to picture choices.

Discs 1 & 2's case goes in the right direction by having a second season Samantha picture (it's from Ep. #58: "The Dancing Bear") but then we are treated to a sixth season photo of Serena (from Ep. #192: "Serena Stops the Show") and a fourth season photo of Uncle Arthur (from Ep. #138: "The No Harm Charm"). Yes, their characters are in this second season, but s.2 Serena looks nothing like her later incarnations. And as far as Uncle Arthur goes, they missed out on the PERFECT promo shot from his episode in s.2 (#41: "The Joker is a Card" to include on the cover which is head on the serving platter. That would've been a much better picture over all as 1) Arthur is actually smiling, 2) since this is our introduction to Arthur, you may as well use a photo from the first scene we seem him in and 3) it just makes me laugh seeing his head sitting there on the platter!

Disc's 3&4's case has first season photos for Samantha and Endora and I believe a s.2 Aunt Clara shot so that's all right.

Disc 5's case features Larry, Durweed and Samantha. I'm not sure from what Season Larry is from cause he's like Durweed, pretty much looks the same in every season. I will say though that Durweed's is from a fifth season promo still. Samantha's is from Season One and should've been used on the cover of the Season One packaging.

My biggest complaint about these disc cases is the lack of episode dates given with the episode descriptions not to mention how the episodes are numbered from 1 - 38 rather than the ACTUAL episode numbers from 37 - 74. I don't think it makes any sense to number them any other way than by their actual episode numbers. But on a good note, the episode descriptions are very good and accurate.

THE DISCS
Again, I like the overall designs of the discs, especially that each disc has only one character featured on it. And it looks like they tried to highlight a character that shows up on a particular disc, for instance, Uncle Arthur is on disc one because his episode "The Joker is a Card" is on that disc. And the same goes for Serena being on disc two for her episode "And Then There Were Three". But again, just like the cases, totally random photos of the characters were chosen, rather than S.2 specific photos.

Arthur's is the same unsmiling photo that is on the case. Serena's is the MOST baffling as it comes from that character's LAST episode EVER on the series in S.8's "Serena's Youth Pill"!!! Samantha's photo is from S.6 #183: "You're So Agreeable". I believe Durweed's is actually from S.2 and Endora's is from S.3.

They really should've given one disc to Gladys Kravitz as played by Alice Pearce considering this is her last season.

Now the placement of episodes is discs is really mind-boggling....this season has the most episodes out of any season of BW, two more than the first season which was released on four discs. So when I heard that there would be five discs to house this season I was thinking, "Oh goodie! They can spread them out more so that there won't be compression issues." Instead they put nine episodes on each of the first four discs and just TWO episodes on the last!!! Well, they included the featurette and the previews on that, but still. If they were going to do five they should've done it like 8-8-8-7-7...or even better, released a SIX disc set and went 7-7-6-6-6-6. I mean, they all ready have three cases, where each case can hold two discs, so why not?

THE MENUS & DISC PLAY
I LOVE the animated menus! Well, on the colorized set anway. The b&w set just pops up with the picture of Samantha and Durwood all ready at the stove. These animated menus are the same ones used on the s.1 set but originally they were used on the Japanese DVD release and I was so hoping they would be used here in the US. They capture the essence of the opening credits very well, but also are specific to the DVDs, and very retro feeling. You have your choice of "Play All" (very nice!), "Episode Selection" or on the colorized sets, "Languages". A new addition to the S.2 sets is that the theme music plays in the background of the main menu on the colorized sets. And it plays on loop, which gets really irritating after awhile, if you happen to not be close to the remote control to turn it off.

Anyway, when you select any of the options which are located in the black smoke from the pan on the stove, the smoke cloud grows bigger and takes you to your new destination, depending on what you chose. If you chose "Episode Selections" the new menu features a screen grab framed and hanging on the walls with the episode title beneath it. The great thing is that Sony has included chapter stops within each episode so that you can skip directly to the point just after where the commercial breaks would've been. On this set, as opposed to s.1, they did place the chapter stop after the opening cartoon right at the beginning of the new episode scene, rather than just before the "Written By" and "Directed By" credits, which I rather liked seeing, but it's all right because then you can just jump right into the episodes themselves.

I do think there is one extra stop on the b&w sets placed just before the opening cartoon starts, which is weird but not big deal really (considering the Munsters s.2 doesn't have ANY stops, and is quite irritating).

Another minor irritation is the first time you play an episode on any of the discs you have to sit through the FBI warning and all, and you are NOT able to skip through that, but I guess I can see why.

THE EXTRAS
On Disc 5 there are two extra options to select from the main menu. The first is for the 'special' (I use that term lightly) feature called "Bewitched, Bothered, and Be-bloopered." It's a collection of the on air flubs and mistakes (like continuity) and such from S.2. I was totally NOT impressed with this feature as most of the bloopers they site aren't even bloopers i.e. Durwood's building having 20+ floors when seen from the outside yet in one episode the elevator only goes to the 15th floor. There are lots of buildings I've seen where there are separate elevators that you have to ride to reach the higher floors. Plus I just think, this space could've been used for the original cast commercials or examples of the original sponsor openings at least! Now THOSE really would've been 'special' features.

The other option as far as extras go are the previews for other Sony DVDs such as the Bewitched movie, the Partridge Family, Classic Comedies and Classic Urban TV Series and, the best of all, I DREAM OF JEANNIE on DVD!!!! It shows a preview for s.1 of IDOJ and says at the end "On DVD Now" but that isn't true, yet anyway. But I take it to mean that any time now.

IN SUMMARY
Like I said in the beginning, these s.2 episodes are some of the finest of the series. The first episode where Aunt Clara changes Durweed into a chimp is hysterical, especially where Endora's concerned ("Come on, precious, try it on!" and "Don't stay and sulk in your room, David. Come down and Mother Endora will comb you!")....the episode where Durwood believes HE is pregnant is spectacularly brilliant as it was so ahead of it's time and DY gives such a wonderful performance...the birth of Tabatha is touching as Endora and Durwood let down their guard for a moment and rejoice in the birth. And EM gets to break out of the nice Samantha role and play her sexy vamp cousin Serena, who as the series goes on goes so far from who Samantha is that it really is amazing that just one person plays both roles.

If you haven't bought at least ONE of the sets, whether colorized or beauteous ORIGINAL b&w, you need to quit reading and order them now!. BW will forever be a prime example of what the medium of TV should be used for and that is to entertain us with superb acting while taking us away from the world for a bit with magic, that not only comes from the special effects but from the actors themselves. Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Agnes Moorehead and just three examples from this series of human beings who are magical in real life as well as on the screen by the type of people they were.

In glorious black and white! The second season is even better than the first. Though Elizabeth Montgomery is the heart of the series as Samantha, my favorite character is Endora. Agnes Moorehead is one of America's finest character actresses. If you haven't already, check out her performances in "The Magnificent Ambersons" and "Citizen Kane."

I absolutely love watching Bewitched, especially the episodes from the first three seasons. Watching them all over again in the Black and White format brings back fond memories of my childhood!

I agonized (OK, it didn't really hurt) about choosing the B&W or colorized versions of these DVD's. I finally decided to be a purist and bought the B&W's. I am so glad I did. On the B&W version, the blooper extra is in the colorized format. While a big improvement over the colorizations of the 1980's, it still looks "colorized", not natural. I will gladly wait for season 3 to see the naturally color episodes.

"Bewitched-Season 2" continues with this amazing boxset of 38 excellent episodes filmed in glorious black and white. Two of the shows are cut episodes from season 1- "A Vision of Sugar Plums" (that has a new beginning) and "Samantha Meets The Folks". The series continues with its excellent writing, acting, and production values that endeared it to millions. The series finished its second year in the top 10 and was "Bewitched's" last year as a black and white show. This was also the year that Darren learns he is going to be a father, and we wait in anticipation to see whether the child will not only be a boy or a girl, but a witch or mortal. Eve Arden plays the nurse in "And Something Makes Three...", where Samantha delivers her baby and we learn the outcome. The best episodes from this season is the series' first two part episode called "Follow That Wich", where an unsrupulous private detective discovers that Samantha is a witch, and he untilmately blackmails her. Sadly, this was also Alice Pearce's last season as Gladys, as the actress was dying of cancer. She would be replaced in the next year.
Sit back and enjoy a great "Bewitched" season. Like season 1, this season was rarely shown in syndication, as when the series entered into first run syndication in 1974 the studio shelved the first 2 black and white seasons and kept them in their vaults, reasoning no one would want to watch the black and white shows. Only the series' last 6 colored years, 1966-1972, were shown on local channels. It wouldn't be until 1989 that Nick at Nite began airing the beloved first 2 black and white seasons. There is also a companion colorized DVD set of season 2, but these are cut shows, and the color at times isn't up to par. I suggest in buying these black and white season sets, as they are uncut and are the original network episodes. The only problem I have with this season, like season 1, is that the studio replaced the original opening with that of season 3. This is obvious from the color of the cat in the animation, as the cat in the original opening was a shade of grey, and the cat in season 3 was black. You can also see the copyright printing on the bottom of the screen which clearly says 1966. Besides this minor problem I am so happy to have all these shows on DVD. The packaging is near perfect, as the dics come in slim cases that are made of hard plastic. I have had my sets for over 3 years and have had no problem with them.
This was also the season the Television Academy honored "Bewitched" with 2 Emmy Awards; one posthumously to Alice Pearce for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Comedy Series, and one to William Asher for Best Director for a Comedy.
There is also a great book written by Herbi J Pilato on "Bewitched" that every "Bewitched" enthusiast" should own called "The Bewitched Book". This is long out of print, but there's also a follow-up book called "Bewitched Forever", that is also a great read. Look for those on ebay or at a local used book store.

The 1965-1966 season of this Elizabeth Montgomery sitcom continued placing a spell on viewers. These thirty eight episodes had very important series milestones.

In this season alone, we meet the irrepressible Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde) in the "Joker is a card", Tabitha is born, and we say goodbye to Gladys Kravitz #1, Alice Pearce.

In season opener "Alias Darrin Stephens" we lean that Samantha is expecting a baby. She now has to find Darrin---who Aunt Clara (Marion Lorne) accidentally transformed into a chimpanzee. Darrin is enthusiastic about this news, but in "A very special delivery" he takes the `pregnant women should be active' idea which was then-just coming-into-popularity to comedic extremes. Endora (Agnes Moorehead) subsequently decides that Darrin needs to understand what being a pregnant woman really is like. In a supernatural version of `Junior' she gives Darrin many sympathy experiences.

He learns that if Samantha wants to be active during her pregnancy she will do so when and how much she really wants.

Because Elizabeth Montgomery was also pregnant in real life, episodes for season 2 were shot out of order. The camera angles attempted to minimize Mongtomery's real-life pregnancy and flashback' episodes later in the season enabled the recycling of selected Season One episodes as memories while Montgomery was taking maternity leave.

Avoiding the `floppy bow' maternity outfits that Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) had to wear on `I Love Lucy' and were still the common fashion for pregnant women into the 1970's , the maternity outfits on this season of Bewitched are infinitely more stylish

Children are a theme throughout this entire season. In "My grandson the warlock" Samantha's father Maurice (Maurice Evans) is led to believe that his grandchild is already born and thus proceeds to teach the baby which he finds at his daughter's house all about being a witch. The problem is that the baby really belongs to Darrin's boss, Larry Tate (David White), and the Stephens were only babysitting (no doubt to get used to having a kid in their house).

Although this episode replete with `London warlock club' trip was funny, Samantha's own father should have known that his daughter was not due until another couple of months or at least realized that he would have been told when she had given birth since they are on good terms.

"A strange little visitor" is a good example of an episode which used kids to get laughs and did not abandon the plot. Foreshadowing the premise of `Charmed', a witch used their magic to thwart criminals who would otherwise get away with stealing.

The episode is notable because it both acknowledged that crime also happens in the `safe' world of suburbia and Darrin explicitly had encouraged the young warlock named Merle Brocken (Craig Hundley) to use his witchcraft to scare the burglar off. Darrin thus concedes that being a witch is useful after all.

The season also alludes to combating prejudice against witches---and other social groups---in "Trick or Treat:" When Endora transforms Darrin into a werewolf after a disagreement, Samantha chides her mother for giving into the cultural stereotype of a witch as `mean'. Her daughter's reminder subsequently prompts Endora to relent and change him back. The `civil rights' metaphor is not as strong as it was in the first season however because the bulk of season two focuses on Samantha's pregnancy and delivery.

Samatha's impending childbirth `'softens' Endora. She actually thinks about sticking up for Darrin in "My boss the teddy bear" Because she threatened to turn Larry Tate (David White) into something for not allowing Darrin to leave for somebody else's wedding, Samantha and Darrin panic upon finding a teddy bear in the boss's office. All is restored to normal when we learn Larry had just stepped out and Endora left this in his office as a gift. Endora ultimately has a heart of gold beneath her gruff exterior.

Tabitha is finally born in "And then there were three".

After all of the adventures Samantha had during this season(including becoming REALLY sick in "Take two aspirin") Tabitha's `healthy' birth would be considered a miracle if script writers added a little more drama into this family sitcom. Laura and Heidi Gentry play in `Tabitha' role at this time; it (of course) eventually went to Erin and Dianne Murphy. This episode also marks the start of Elizabeth Montgomery's double role as the mischievous cousin `Serena'; even though it's only a wig and a voice change, seeing Montgomery's character versatility is still interesting.

Predictably, Tabitha's birth sets off competition among the grandparents. "The dancing bear" has a toymaker become so enamored with a spell-affected toy Endora gave Tabitha that he plans to market this product for the general public. Endora made a bear dance to so Tabitha would pick her present over what was being offered by Darrin's mom, Phyllis Stephens (Mabel Albertson). Samantha of course prevails and convinces the toymaker that dancing bears would be difficult to produce...etc. Samantha conveniently forgets to tell him that Tabitha's bear had moved only because it was placed under a spell. Tabitha ends up keeping the dancing bear but we do not see it again in the series.

Even the Kravitz's attempt to spoil Tabitha in "My baby, the tycoon". They give Tabitha a share of stock. Because she is too young to immediately appreciate the particular gift, it actually might have been the Kravitz's attempt to ingratiate themselves with the Stephens's---although it did not stop Mrs. Kravitz's legendary snooping. When Tabitha begins to `predict the stock market' initially making the Stephens very rich and causing the Kravitz's to loose a lot of money. Darrin believes that she might also be a witch. To his credit he is remarkably calm about the prospect and also loves her for herself.

Samantha is a `nice witch' but she is certainly not a `goody-goody'. "The magic cabin" has her change back a magic cabin to the original ramshackle state and put a spell over Charles and Alice McBain (played by Peter Duryea and Alice Hammond) which makes them believe that they are still in the glamorous environment they accidentally had observed Samantha and Darrin in.

The idea of `sweet' Samantha doing a `bait and switch' on an unsuspecting couple provides an interesting plot twist. Montgomery deserves yet more props for having her character not always act `perfect'.

The theoretically lighthearted "The horse's mouth" episode at the end of this season has a somber overtone because Alice Pearce died from ovarian cancer by the time it originally aired. A tribute to Pearce either in the series' original run or this releases extra features would have been nice, but overall the season is excellent. Like the first season, getting the black and white DVD is preferable to the colorized version.

Extras include another set of Bewitched outtakes and special effects secrets. Additionally, famous stars such as Charlie Ruggles (Bringing Up Baby), Robert Strauss (Stalag 17) and Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfuss (Best Actor, The Goodbye Girl, 1977) continue making their `guest role' cameos; look for a soon-to-be famous Maureen McCormick (Brady Bunch) in `Trick or Treat' playing the young Endora! An awesome Bewitched trivia game rounds out the official extras in this season release.

This season was (of course) showered with a stream of justly-deserved nominations and awards.

The impeccable class of Elizabeth Montgomery and company ensures that Bewitched-Season 2 enchants all viewers.