Ep 21. Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue

Darrin Stephens, a successful advertising executive in New York City, returns home after a long day at work. As he enters his suburban house, he is met with the familiar sight of his beautiful and talented wife, Samantha. Little does he know that Samantha possesses the extraordinary ability to perform witchcraft, a fact she has managed to keep secret from everyone except her immediate family.

In "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue," an episode from the second season of the beloved show Bewitched, Samantha finds herself caught up in the fast-paced and cutthroat world of advertising. When advertising agency McMann and Tate decides to launch a campaign for a new line of cookie products, they call upon Darrin to come up with the perfect pitch. Darrin, determined to prove himself, dives headfirst into the project, spending countless hours at the office trying to come up with an innovative and memorable idea.

Samantha, feeling neglected by her workaholic husband, decides to pay him a surprise visit at the office one day. Unbeknownst to Darrin, Samantha arrives just in time to witness an exchange between him and advertising executive Larry Tate that sparks her curiosity. Larry brags to Darrin about the new secret weapon they have hired for the campaign, a man named Durwood Moresby known for his uncanny talent for sleuthing out the public's deepest desires.

Intrigued by this mysterious advertiser, Samantha decides to follow Durwood to a fancy Madison Avenue restaurant after spotting him there one evening. Using her magical abilities, she easily tails him without being noticed, taking amusement in watching his aggressive tactics with potential clients and fellow colleagues. Witnessing firsthand the ruthless and competitive nature of the advertising world, Samantha becomes concerned about the toll it is taking on Darrin.

As Darrin continues to devote his time and energy to the cookie campaign, Samantha decides to take matters into her own hands. Determined to show Darrin that there is more to life than work, she devises a plan to teach him a valuable lesson while also putting Durwood in his place.

With help from her mischievous and energetic Aunt Clara, Samantha comes up with a magical scheme to expose Durwood's true nature. She enchants a poster of McMann and Tate's billboard, causing it to come to life and directly challenge Durwood during a big meeting. The animated poster, skillfully impersonating Durwood's fast-talking persona, exposes his deceitful tactics to the rest of the advertising team. Darrin, witnessing this surprising turn of events, realizes the importance of integrity in his work and begins to reevaluate his priorities.

In this episode, "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue," Bewitched offers a humorous and insightful commentary on the cutthroat nature of the advertising industry. With Samantha's magical intervention, the show not only showcases the importance of honesty and authenticity in advertising but also provides a lesson in work-life balance. As Samantha and Darrin navigate the challenges of their respective roles, they prove that love and support are essential in maintaining a healthy and successful relationship.

Featuring the delightful performances of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha and Dick York as Darrin, "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue" brings the heartwarming charm and enchantment that viewers have come to love from Bewitched. With its clever writing and memorable characters, this episode captures the essence of the show's enduring popularity. So, join Samantha and Darrin on their magical journey as they navigate the world of advertising while keeping their love and family intact in this delightful installment of Bewitched.