Darrin and Tabitha - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

McGillicuddy · 02-12-2011, 07:09 PM

Do you think Darrin (both of them) was portrayed in lacking in affection for Tabitha? Especially Dick Sargent, it seemed like he was always scolding her. Dick York was always yelling at Samantha, if Tabitha pulled a no-no. But neither one of them seemed to ever display love for her.

DemandYourPickle · 02-12-2011, 07:27 PM

Man, why is everyone always so critical of Darrin?

Darrin loves Tabitha very, very much. Even Sargent does. Just watch the episode in Season 2 when Tabitha was born. Watch the first episodes of Season 3 and Season 6. Watch all of the episodes of Bewitched if you can and you will see that he has a lot of heart and does much, much more than scold and yell "all the time".

old grouch · 02-12-2011, 11:07 PM

If Darrin didn't love Tabitha, then he wouldn't scold her.

Arfies · 02-13-2011, 02:26 AM

I think Dick York's Darrin was very sweet with Tabitha- see "And Then There Were Three," "My Baby, the Tycoon," "Accidental Twins," "Samantha's Secret Saucer," and more.

biffbronson · 02-13-2011, 07:47 AM

This is an interesting question. I think it's fair to say that during the years Bewitched was produced, it was still somewhat common for the mom to bear the greatest load in raising the children -- at least that's how it was for me and how things were for my parents a generation before (in other words, my mom and grandmother were closest to the kids).

My dad didn't spend all that much time with me because he worked full-time and my mom was a stay-at-home mom who could tend to my needs. When watching Bewitched, especially the Sargent years (and the eps where York was absent) I could relate to being scolded by the father -- it was far from my only interaction, but it was the most memorable. I think with Darrin, he did step in like a typical dad when scolding and/or punishment was in order.

In later generations, it seems that aside from deadbeat dads, the typical father is closer to his children and is expected to take on more of a direct role in raising them. And the earlier fathers sometimes were conditioned not to outwardly display affection so much.

McGillicuddy · 02-15-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemandYourPickle

Man, why is everyone always so critical of Darrin?

Darrin loves Tabitha very, very much. Even Sargent does. Just watch the episode in Season 2 when Tabitha was born. Watch the first episodes of Season 3 and Season 6. Watch all of the episodes of Bewitched if you can and you will see that he has a lot of heart and does much, much more than scold and yell "all the time".

Naw, I'm not trying to bash Darrin. I just think it was kind of an overlook that they didn't show Darrin displaying affection for his kids.

catlover79 · 02-16-2011, 04:08 AM

I think DY's Darrin totally doted on Tabitha, and would've done the same with Adam, had he still been in the role. Then again, that's just my opinion!!

novarrofan · 02-17-2011, 03:32 AM

Yes I agree totally. DY's Darrin was a devoted father to Tabitha (I would have loved to see him with Adam later on too!!) This nonsense about Darrin only yelling at people all the time is just that, nonsense. The mere fact he hung in there through so many humiliations indicates clearly what a special man he was. There are numerous episodes where he is doting towards Tabitha, often far more than most 1960's sitcom dads were (mainly because that was what men were conditioned to be like back then!)and to say he didn't totally love Samantha and feel totally proud of her is such an injustice to him. I think Darrin was a great father AND husband.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I think DY's Darrin totally doted on Tabitha, and would've done the same with Adam, had he still been in the role. Then again, that's just my opinion!!

DemandYourPickle · 02-17-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novarrofan

Yes I agree totally. DY's Darrin was a devoted father to Tabitha (I would have loved to see him with Adam later on too!!) This nonsense about Darrin only yelling at people all the time is just that, nonsense. The mere fact he hung in there through so many humiliations indicates clearly what a special man he was. There are numerous episodes where he is doting towards Tabitha, often far more than most 1960's sitcom dads were (mainly because that was what men were conditioned to be like back then!)and to say he didn't totally love Samantha and feel totally proud of her is such an injustice to him. I think Darrin was a great father AND husband.

Yes! Yes!!! That's it! That's what I've been trying to tell everyone!

People are a lot more accepting of Darrin here than they are on YouTube...many of the comments on the episodes (especially "Help, Help, Don't Save Me") could seriously make you wonder if people are murderous wrestlers rather than Bewitched lovers.

Sure he gets mad and confused sometimes, but how would you feel if you got turned into a mule and got captured by Animal Control? And don't say that you wouldn't care. You never know how you'll react to something until it happens to you. Bewitched is a show about love---so why the hate? Just be cool. -->

McGillicuddy · 02-17-2011, 11:03 AM

It seems the majority of Bewitched episodes final scenes shows Samantha and Darrin assessing what chaos they just went through and they both conclude their love for each other can pull them through anything.

When some of the chaotic events involved baby Tabitha, thinking back, the episodes might end with Samantha and Darrin looking in on Tabitha, and Darrin would realize his love for his two witches (wife and daughter). But it seems during the Dick Sargent years, Tabitha wasn't around for these concluding scenes which is where Darrin's affection for Tabitha could have been of more focus.

I do understand though that the character of Darrin (whoever was playing him) loved his children.

catlover79 · 02-18-2011, 04:36 AM

Plus Dick York was a father (of 5!!) in real life, and Dick Sargent never had kids. DY was obviously able to channel his love for his real-life kids into his portrayal of Darrin's relationship with Tabitha. But DS seemed to love kids, too. He was involved with the Special Olympics for years, and Erin Murphy has expressed many times that both her "Darrin daddies" were very, very special to her.

Schmoopie · 02-19-2011, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Plus Dick York was a father (of 5!!) in real life, and Dick Sargent never had kids. DY was obviously able to channel his love for his real-life kids into his portrayal of Darrin's relationship with Tabitha. But DS seemed to love kids, too. He was involved with the Special Olympics for years, and Erin Murphy has expressed many times that both her "Darrin daddies" were very, very special to her.

I love how you put this, Monika! If this were Facebook, I'd be putting a "like" after this comment!

I don't know much at all about anyone on Bewitched, so this was really interesting but it does makes sense.

catlover79 · 02-19-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I love how you put this, Monika! If this were Facebook, I'd be putting a "like" after this comment!

I don't know much at all about anyone on Bewitched, so this was really interesting but it does makes sense.

Thank you!!!

old grouch · 02-19-2011, 10:23 PM

If you want an idea of how Dick York's Darrin would have interacted with Adam, at least when he got a little older, watch how he interacts with Michael in 'A Vision of Sugar Plums.' Darrin was stern when he needed to be, but was also kind to Michael and even carried him to bed. I could see York's Darrin playing catch with Adam or giving advise to a teenage Tabitha about boys.

DemandYourPickle · 02-20-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old grouch

If you want an idea of how Dick York's Darrin would have interacted with Adam, at least when he got a little older, watch how he interacts with Michael in 'A Vision of Sugar Plums.' Darrin was stern when he needed to be, but was also kind to Michael and even carried him to bed. I could see York's Darrin playing catch with Adam or giving advise to a teenage Tabitha about boys.

That's right. And you mustn't forget little Kimmy from the episode, "Eye Of The Beholder". He was very nice and cheerful with her, too. Even though she was stronger than he was with that wheelbarrow.

And remember Merle, the little warlock boy they baby-sat? Yes, he was stern and enforced the rules when he needed to (which was often; the kid needed a spanking!), but was very nice to him and even played baseball with him. (Even though the kid nearly took his head off when he threw the ball back.

)

The episodes "Soapbox Derby" and "Little Pitchers Have Big Fears"...enough said.

Even in the Sargent episodes: he tolerated Jack (from the beanstalk) and taught him how to play golf a little bit.

Remember Lisa from "Sisters At Heart"? He gladly let her stay in the house for a while, and didn't care a bit that she was African-American. He even had an angry/annoyed/defensive look on his face when the racist man came over with toys for the children. If she and Tabitha really were sisters in the show, I'm sure he wouldn't mind.

And he does show affection for the kids. Watch the episodes and you'll see that he can be fatherly and stern, but still calls Tabitha his "sweetheart" and he'll say things like "there's Daddy's little boy" when Adam's around.

Think about it. Darrin is a nice guy who loves kids, no matter who plays him.

02-12-2011, 07:09 PM	#1
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Darrin and Tabitha Do you think Darrin (both of them) was portrayed in lacking in affection for Tabitha? Especially Dick Sargent, it seemed like he was always scolding her. Dick York was always yelling at Samantha, if Tabitha pulled a no-no. But neither one of them seemed to ever display love for her.

02-13-2011, 07:47 AM	#5
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,505	This is an interesting question. I think it's fair to say that during the years Bewitched was produced, it was still somewhat common for the mom to bear the greatest load in raising the children -- at least that's how it was for me and how things were for my parents a generation before (in other words, my mom and grandmother were closest to the kids). My dad didn't spend all that much time with me because he worked full-time and my mom was a stay-at-home mom who could tend to my needs. When watching Bewitched, especially the Sargent years (and the eps where York was absent) I could relate to being scolded by the father -- it was far from my only interaction, but it was the most memorable. I think with Darrin, he did step in like a typical dad when scolding and/or punishment was in order. In later generations, it seems that aside from deadbeat dads, the typical father is closer to his children and is expected to take on more of a direct role in raising them. And the earlier fathers sometimes were conditioned not to outwardly display affection so much.
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02-16-2011, 04:08 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I think DY's Darrin totally doted on Tabitha, and would've done the same with Adam, had he still been in the role. Then again, that's just my opinion!!
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02-12-2011, 07:27 PM	#2
DemandYourPickle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2010 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 184	Man, why is everyone always so critical of Darrin? Darrin loves Tabitha very, very much. Even Sargent does. Just watch the episode in Season 2 when Tabitha was born. Watch the first episodes of Season 3 and Season 6. Watch all of the episodes of Bewitched if you can and you will see that he has a lot of heart and does much, much more than scold and yell "all the time".

02-12-2011, 11:07 PM	#3
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	If Darrin didn't love Tabitha, then he wouldn't scold her.

02-13-2011, 02:26 AM	#4
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	I think Dick York's Darrin was very sweet with Tabitha- see "And Then There Were Three," "My Baby, the Tycoon," "Accidental Twins," "Samantha's Secret Saucer," and more.

02-17-2011, 11:03 AM	#10
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	It seems the majority of Bewitched episodes final scenes shows Samantha and Darrin assessing what chaos they just went through and they both conclude their love for each other can pull them through anything. When some of the chaotic events involved baby Tabitha, thinking back, the episodes might end with Samantha and Darrin looking in on Tabitha, and Darrin would realize his love for his two witches (wife and daughter). But it seems during the Dick Sargent years, Tabitha wasn't around for these concluding scenes which is where Darrin's affection for Tabitha could have been of more focus. I do understand though that the character of Darrin (whoever was playing him) loved his children.

02-18-2011, 04:36 AM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Plus Dick York was a father (of 5!!) in real life, and Dick Sargent never had kids. DY was obviously able to channel his love for his real-life kids into his portrayal of Darrin's relationship with Tabitha. But DS seemed to love kids, too. He was involved with the Special Olympics for years, and Erin Murphy has expressed many times that both her "Darrin daddies" were very, very special to her.

02-19-2011, 10:23 PM	#14
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	If you want an idea of how Dick York's Darrin would have interacted with Adam, at least when he got a little older, watch how he interacts with Michael in 'A Vision of Sugar Plums.' Darrin was stern when he needed to be, but was also kind to Michael and even carried him to bed. I could see York's Darrin playing catch with Adam or giving advise to a teenage Tabitha about boys.