MovieChat Forums > Bewitched (1964) Discussion > Marion Lorne's Last Episode

Marion Lorne's Last Episode

posted a year ago by [email protected] (5486)
3 replies | jump to latest

The producers and writers probably didn't know that Marion Lorne would soon pass away. But I wish her last episode had been something better than "Samantha's Secret Saucer."

I gave it another chance a few nights ago and it is just too silly. Sure it was fun and amusing when I was a child but Aunt Clara deserved something better for her last show.

It was a time when sci fi and aliens in the media were catching everyone's interest (Star Trek , Lost in Space anyone?). And the show often portrayed Aunt Clara's mishaps where she zapped up something unintended. But this?

It seems totally unrealistic. Yes, the magic is fantasy of course. And the audience accepts it. But for four seasons we were led to believe that Aunt Clara's powers were waning and her magical abilities were weak. So HOW would her ability be strong enough to reach that far into the galaxy to pluck a space ship and land it in the Stephens' backyard?

I'm sure no one was thinking about it at the time, but the nearest star to Earth is Alpha Centauri. It would take humans about six thousand years just to travel there. And who knows how far away the "canine" aliens planet was?

Just hard to believe that Clara's powers were that strong. She had trouble zapping an item from one room to the next! I just wish her last episode would've been a better one.

[–] Corryveckan45 (131) a year ago

In addition to being a poor episode for Marion Lorne's swansong, I also don't like how vicious Gladys Kravitz is in this episode. Although the series often presents Gladys as a quasi-friendly neighbor to Samantha, here she shows her true colors. She's really out to get the Stephens family, making a citizen's arrest and exulting "You'll all be captured! And put where you belong!" etc.

[–] [email protected] (5486) a year ago

Most people would be thrilled to find a real ship from outer space with aliens aboard, but Gladys only wanted to use the situation to destroy the Stephens family.

Also, she must've had some real pull with the military! They sent officers out to inspect the situation on the basis of one phone call from a civilian. I don't think the average person gets that sort of response. lol

[–] Corryveckan45 (131) 10 months ago

I suspect it took more than one phone call from Gladys. She was nothing if not persistent.

Of course, the only member of the military who continued to hang around was the goofy "Captain Tudwell."

Not exactly an example of "America's Finest."