MovieChat Forums > Bewitched (1964) Discussion > Samantha's Life after Darrin

Samantha's Life after Darrin

posted 8 years ago by [email protected] (6248)
5 replies | jump to latest

It's a sad question, but what was Sam's life like after Darrin passed away? Do you think she remained in the mortal world? Or did she go back to the witch world? I tend to think she had a foot in both worlds! Her children were raised in the mortal world and she probably had grandchildren. I think Samantha would keep the home she shared with Darrin as a place for the family to gather.

The show alluded to the "brevity" of mortal life in a few lighthearted ways. When Maurice met his son-in-law he was very displeased. By the end of the show he said something like, "I could learn to like you in a few centuries. Too bad you won't be around that long."

Sometimes the reality of it hits home. I just watched season three. In the episode when Darrin learns about Tabitha's powers, the Tates are celebrating the Stephens anniversary with them.

Darrin says jovially, "I'm inviting you to our fiftieth anniversary."

I felt sad thinking that Dick York would only be around for half that time. Of course Darrin did not suffer the ill health his portrayer did. So maybe they did have a golden anniversary!

They were vague as to Samantha's age, but I always guessed a few centuries.

I watch the love affair and marriage of Sam and Darrin in a different way now. Her love always seemed so very intense, very forgiving of any of his faults. She seemed to wring out every drop of joy and togetherness that they could have. As a child I thought it was exaggerated. But as an adult I find it bittersweet. It was always in the back of her mind that she would only have Darrin for a brief part of her life and she wanted to make the most of it.

Every happy couple knows that some day one of them will be left behind. But even if a person is widowed young, he/she will only have to face a few decades without their spouse. Samantha, on the other hand, was facing centuries without Darrin.

Their love was so sweet because it was so brief.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 8 years ago

Your question is one of the things I always thought made Endora even more selfish than what appeared. She knew
that both she and Sam (and Tabitha and Adam) would outlive Darrin, and she only had to give up 50 odd years of
her life. But 50 years IS 50 years, especially when she initially thought the union wouldn't last.

I also tend to think that Sam would've kept herself in both worlds. I don't feel the same about Tabitha, as I believe
that the temptations of Endora and other relatives would've made her gravitate more to her own way of life, and
I don't think SHE would've met a human being that she loved as much as Sam loved Darrin. I don't see Tabitha
living without witchraft, and I don't think Sam would've remained full-time in mortal life. But I also believe Tabitha's
upbringing - living with boundaries - would've been one she looked back on fondly and proudly. And I'd bet she'd
cherish her father's memory. Forever.

[–] [email protected] (6248) 8 years ago

I posted a similar question years ago on the IMDB board. I wondered why Endora was so intent on getting rid of Darrin. She and the other witches used to talk about historical figures which they had known personally. They obviously lived very long lives.

I can't remember exactly, but I think one reply was that Endora didn't like how involved Samantha was in the mortal world. Even after Darrin was gone perhaps his influence would keep her in that world.

Still, very selfish of Endora. Sam was a grown woman who had the right to make her own choices in life. Darrin didn't force her to marry him. Sometimes I think it was envy on Endora's part. Her marriage was nowhere near as happy as her daughter's was.

I started season five again and just watched the episode where Carlotta insists that Samantha married her son Juke. If Sam had been as weak-willed as Juke , Endora would have kept her under her thumb in almost the same way, I think. But her love for Darrin made her strong and she stood up to her mother.

When I watched this show as a child I thought Maurice and Endora were divorced. They lived apart and when they saw each other at Sam's house, all they did was argue.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 8 years ago

Maurice and Endora - an extremely groundbreaking element to Bewitched. They remained married, still enjoyed some
nooky every blue moon for old times' sake (several episodes indicate this), yet had their own various lovers.
(Maurice seemed to enjoy young Playboy bunnies, and Endora had that young Mexican lover in "Ho Ho the Clown").

I just watched (on Youtube) 1977's "Looking For Mr. Goodbar", starring the great Diane Keaton. I thought the film
was out and out awful, but in its own clumsy fashion, it really shows how empty and unfulfilling a hedonistic life
is (countless lovers, empty sex, drugs). In many ways, this is the life Sam's relatives led. Deep down, as I've
written, I think they both resented and were envious of the structure that Sam and Darrin had.

[–] [email protected] (6248) 8 years ago

Oh wow, that's true! I think Maurice and Endora may have had the first "open marriage" on TV.

Just watched the birth of Sam's baby boy last night (I know, one of your "favorite" characters, lol). The proud grandparents were cooing over him at the nursery window. They were getting along fine. They were united in their love for their daughter and grandchildren, but otherwise Maurice and Endora were at odds.

Serena in particular seemed envious of Sam's life. She never let an opportunity pass to make a sharp comment or insult about Darrin or Samantha's "dreary mortal" existence. But every time she popped in, it was with a new hobby. She was a hippy, a flower child spouting poetry, meditating and hanging out with gurus, riding a motorcycle, writing pop songs,etc.

But her cousin Samantha was fulfilled and happy with a purpose in life. She was content to take care of her husband and children and take part in civic affairs to improve her community.

You said it about the hedonistic life! I think of the famous rock stars who "had it all". Talent, fame, adulation, money, cars, mansions, etc., didn't keep some of them from rehab or more tragically, O.D.ing on drugs.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 8 years ago

Or they finally settle down and go with that one lover and "get it together." (Elton John comes to mind).

But if you lead an out of control life, AND have money, the money itself can be the enemy. Or as
Judy Garland once said, "Why should anyone have to pay a price for fame? Fame IS the price!"

I, too, watched the birth of Adam about two weeks ago. It's not a favorite, but it is cute. Maurice is
hilarious with those cigars. When they disappear, the one young father says, "What happened to it?"
Maurice: "You SWALLOWED it." Lol.