The best episodes in any series are those, when viewed in hindsight, offer insight both to the times in which they were made and today's society. This classic, filmed in February 1968 shortly after Tet and when "The Graduate" was the top movie, reflects the growing dislike in sixties America of both the US military and the popular notion of "conformity". Today, it raises important questions about both individuality and privacy in a world that is draining both thanks to satellite surveillance and the internet. OK... maybe I'm going a bit overboard here: it is just a TV show, but one could easily write a detailed thesis on an episode as multi-layered as this one.
Darrin and Samantha have the usual marital dispute over her "exposing" some of her witchcraft to keep an obnoxious drunk at bay. Right before bedtime, he admits it might be easier to just "tell the world about our secret". Sam disagrees and uses some additional witchcraft to manipulate her hubby's dreams.
Just what WOULD happen if the world learned that Sam is a witch? Surprisingly, once you decide to no longer hide something, it can actually be difficult to prove it exists initially. Larry Tate refuses to believe their confession... he needs additional convincing. Then he enthusiastically barks to Sam: "With my brains and your voodoo, we could control the world!" and this is where the trouble starts. The Kravitzes prove to be worse; they provide stadium seating outside the Stephens' house! Three-year old Tabitha has no friends because Mommy won't zap ponies for everyone. Mickey Mantle and other celebrities constantly call for Sam's career "help". Finally, a very disorganized pair of US military officials arrive to maintain "home security", since Washington is in a state of alarm. Poor Darrin finishes up his nightmare at a "private and secluded" military base separated from both wife and daughter as they are sent away for interrogation time.
The moral is somewhat inconclusive... perhaps it is left for us to decide, depending on our own notion of privacy and what things we are comfortable exposing publicly. In the dream, Sam actually looks relieved that it is all out of the closet; however, their lives are turned upside down. Darrin decides at breakfast time that it is best to keep things the way they are. Obviously, this is the right decision for HIM and his family, if not for everybody.
