''B.J and the Witch'' -- by far the series' finest episode

I read this description online and I have to agree with it. Years after I forgot everything else from this series, this one S2 episode, "B.J. and the Witch," haunted me. I saw it when I was a kid and I've remembered it my whole life, even though I only viewed it once when it was first aired:

BJ and the Bear was an prime-time American television series of the late 1970s, from the same time period that produced genuine classics such as the original Battlestar Galactica and Buck Rogers. Burdened with painfully unfunny comic-relief elements, such as the chimpanzee who is the "Bear" of the series' name, it was standard, unremarkable TV fare, but entertaining enough for young lads.

Unremarkable, that is, except for "BJ and the Witch" (first aired February 9th, 1980), which was a moody, atmospheric episode far beyond anything else that the series ever produced, and by far the standout show of the series. This episode cast a profound spell upon yours truly as I watched it as a young lad, and the memory of it has never left me all these years.

Having finally obtained it on video, after not having watched the episode since its original broadcast some 20 years ago, I find that it still had a haunting power, especially compared to other television fare of the time.

Again, the series as a whole is nothing special, but this episode is an exceptional bit of film, especially given its genre. Try to imagine watching it while one is still of grade-school age, and its impact upon the user might better be understood.