That's Nydia Westman, an Una Merkel like character actress whose nervous energy in classic comedies of the 1930's and 40's made her a fan favorite even if you didn't know her name. She plays the senile old lady in the rest home where Mrs. Stephens (Albertson) plants herself after she believes that she's fooled herself into thinking that daughter-in-law Samantha is a cauldron stirring, card carrying witch. It all starts off as the battle of the witches (oops, wits) as Samantha and Endora battle over which set of furniture Samantha will entertain her mother in. Endora wants the Louis XV style, and back and forth the different furniture styles flip until Phyllis walks in and faints. Darrin's father (Roy Roberts) is rushed over to find out what is wrong with his wife, and in therapy, Dr. Bernie Koppel (who also played the warlock pharmacist in other episodes), does his best to help his patient. But overhearing her husband and son discussing her case with him, Phyllis decides to disappear, and it's up to Samantha to find her mother-in-law and prove to her that she's A-Okay as well as get forgiveness from the witches' committee who took away some of her powers for revealing her identity to a mortal.
As always, any scenes between the two mother-in-law's are great here as Mabel Albertson and Agnes Moorehead had terrific chemistry working off each other. But the fun really starts when Phyllis is found sitting in a wheelchair, covered in a blanket, resting up and trying to recover the sanity she thinks she is losing. Along comes the forgetful Bryant, and the exchange between her and Albertson is very funny, especially when Bryant helps herself to Albertson's pills and begins to see things (thanks to Samantha's interference), resulting in Samantha making another switch. Realistically, there could have been some serious medical points made about Phyllis having hallucinogenics rather than tranquilizers, but Samantha, knowing that it was her hocus pocus which changed the drugs, guides the doctor's suggestions to make Albertson happy to realize that she was not losing her mid and just happy to be well. It's a fun episode that is another great indicator of why this sitcom had not only the best regulars but recurring players and guest stars as well.
As always, any scenes between the two mother-in-law's are great here as Mabel Albertson and Agnes Moorehead had terrific chemistry working off each other. But the fun really starts when Phyllis is found sitting in a wheelchair, covered in a blanket, resting up and trying to recover the sanity she thinks she is losing. Along comes the forgetful Bryant, and the exchange between her and Albertson is very funny, especially when Bryant helps herself to Albertson's pills and begins to see things (thanks to Samantha's interference), resulting in Samantha making another switch. Realistically, there could have been some serious medical points made about Phyllis having hallucinogenics rather than tranquilizers, but Samantha, knowing that it was her hocus pocus which changed the drugs, guides the doctor's suggestions to make Albertson happy to realize that she was not losing her mid and just happy to be well. It's a fun episode that is another great indicator of why this sitcom had not only the best regulars but recurring players and guest stars as well.
