A Strange Little Visitor

A Strange Little Visitor
Season 2, Episode 12 Series Episode 48
Airdate	December 2, 1965
Written by	John L. Greene & Paul David
Directed by	E. W. Swackhamer
Episode Guide
Previous "Aunt Clara's Old Flame"	Next "My Boss, the Teddy Bear"

A Strange Little Visitor is the twelfth episode of the second season, and the forty-eighth episode of the Bewitched series. The episode was completed by July 8, 1965.

Plot

Samantha receives an unexpected visit from her old friends, Margaret and Walter Brocken, who would like Samantha to sit with their ten year old son, Merle, overnight. Samantha is a little wary to do so if only because Merle is a warlock who is just honing his powers, and she does not want to disrupt Darrin's mortal life by any further witchcraft. However, Samantha agrees on the condition that Merle not use his powers while at the house, despite Merle needing to do his "homework", namely practicing his spells and incantations.

Merle ends up being a very polite boy around Darrin, although in a slightly odd way. Half way through Merle's visit, Darrin eventually learns that Merle is a warlock after he catches Merle in the act. With that information out in the open, Samantha and Darrin can guide Merle in a more straightforward manner, including Darrin issuing the directive of no witchcraft whatsoever. Darrin may change his mind about Merle using his witchcraft when a burglar breaks into the house looking to steal the expensive necklace he knows Darrin is keeping for Larry. Convincing Merle of that change of heart for their personal safety may not be an easy task.

Gallery

The Brockens and Samantha are proud of Merle's progress.

Walter and Margaret say goodbye to Merle as they leave for London.

Merle amuses himself in the front yard.

Merle says he wants to be like his father when he grows up.

Merle is amused by Darrin's book on space travel.

Merle complains about dinner.

Darrin thinks Merle stole the toy.

The jewel thief stops Merle and Darrin from interfering.

The thief is captured.

The Brockens pick Merle up from the Stephenses.

The Brockens disappear one by one while Mrs. Kravitz keeps talking.

Trivia

• Agnes Moorehead did not appear and received credit only.

Cast

• Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens
• Dick York as Darrin Stephens
• George Tobias as Abner Kravitz
• Alice Pearce as Gladys Kravitz
• David White as Larry Tate
• Craig Hundley as Merle Brocken
• Tim Herbert as Jewel Thief (credited as "Man in Bar")
• James Doohan as Walter Brocken
• Anne Sargent as Margaret Brocken
• Dick Balduzzi as Policeman

See Also

• Season Two
• Bewitched Episodes