Bewitched (TV Series) Samantha's Power Failure (1969) User Reviews

One of my childhood favorites ;-)

[yboutell-517-761915 · 8/10 · 28 July 2013]

Can't believe this episode has not been reviewed. I remember it as one of my favorites of childhood. Loved, loved, loved Uncle Arthur (wow, was he really only in ten {10} episodes?) and thought it was brilliant to pair him up with Serena.

The story involves the 'Witches Council' stripping Sam of her powers, due to her mortal marriage. When Arthur and Serena offer their support and solidarity, the Council strips them of their powers too. From there, the comedy hijinks abound with Serena and Uncle Arthur trying to find real jobs. Of course the only job they are qualified is "unskilled labor" . . . oh if only that were a job title today. My other favorite moments is when Endora tells Arthur to "button his lip" and literally puts a button on it; then Serena tells Endora to "get with it Endora, buttons are out, zippers are in" so Endora puts a zipper on her lips. For some reason, I always remember that line and it still makes me laugh.

Sam makes a plea to the Witches Council to restore everyone's powers and you can guess that she will be successful. A non-Darrin episode, but definitely one of the best of the season. Enjoy!

Best Line

[michle53 · 10/10 · 27 March 2021]

This episode has one of the best line deliveries in the series. When Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde) is told about the chocolate bananas he will be producing, he remarks, "How revolting." Pure gold!

Button your Lips or I will!

[rangerz-801-345488 · 10/10 · 29 December 2018]

Agnes Moorehead's Endora continues to steal the show! You know, she admits to being 1000 years old. LOL. This particular episode reflects the 'Candy Factory' episode from I Love Lucy show where Lucy and Ethel work in a candy factory with hilarious results. It must have been tiresome for Elizabeth Montgomery changing from the sweet Samantha to the fun loving Serena so often. Paul Lynde's Uncle Arthur continues to bring the laughs with his snarky remarks, especially to Endora.

Uncle Arthur makes any episode good!

[ichbinrebecca · 10/10 · 20 August 2022]

Any episode with Paul Lynde, is a good episode, but this one takes the cake. Definitely in my top 5 episodes. Loved the scene with Uncle Arthur and Serena doing the chocolate bananas. Absolutely lost it, when Uncle Arthur just threw the chocolate and bananas into the freezer without them on their stand. And Tabitha, cute as always.

Bewitched Meets I Love Lucy

[floridacalisurferboy · 9/10 · 1 March 2022]

🌟 Director WILLIAM ASHER who directed years of I LOVE LUCY here on his real life wife ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY'S comedy series BEWITCHED... replays his famous LUCY At The Candy Factory Episode except with Serena (Elizabeth as her look alike cousin) and Uncle Arthur (Paul LYNDE) in an ice cream factory... It's all crazy fun and the fact that Elizabeth gets to play her kookie cousin Serena allows Elizabeth to act wacky and nutty... An episode that proves Darrin wasn't necessary to make BEWITCHED work... ELIZABETH and any special guest can make the show successful without him 😊

I love Uncle Arthur

[rerunwatcher · 9/10 · 30 December 2021]

I love any episode with Uncle Arthur. He is so funny in this one. He and Serena try working in a real job. Fun episode. And look for the guy who would later play the Sheriff on "Murder She Wrote" as their boss.

Underrated and classic episode

[kellielulu · 10/10 · 15 December 2022]

As others have stated the Witches Council strips Samantha of her powers. They can't break up the marriage so they go in a different direction trying to effectively disown her.

Serena and Uncle Arthur arrive to support Sammy. They aren't really against Darrian or the marriage itself much as they find him as a bit of a buzz kill. This is one of the rare non Darrian or Dick York episodes that works.

Endora takes the councils side and admonishes the others will a particularly funny exchange between Endora , Arthur and Serena.

Samantha goes to the council herself. She is told she Tabitha, Serena and Arthur will be permanently stripped of their powers . Samantha bites back . They can take her powers but she will always be a witch . That she shouldn't be ostracized for making a different life choices. The council basically says don't call us we'll call you.

Serena and Arthur try to function without powers and end up in a job that's is in the tradition of Lucy and Ethel at the candy factory with similar results. Elizabeth Montgomery and Paul Lynde had chemistry that just sparkled .

At dinner they all are waiting to hear if they get their powers back. Tabitha wants ketchup but no one seems to hear her . She twitches her nose and it works! Arthur sees and immediately demonstrates his table cloth trip that only works when he has his powers . It works! Samantha and Serena both give it a try and are successful. Samantha made her point and the council has a change of heart ( yeah I didn't know they had hearts either!) . So much happiness and joy is too much for Endora who leaves. Arthur really digs into his dinner!