“Bewitched: Seasons 5 & 6” (1968 – 1970)

Comedy / Television

Sixty Episodes

Created by: Sol Saks

Featuring: Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Agnes Moorehead, Dick Sargent and David White

Uncle Arthur: [to Endora] “When I think of you as a blood relative, I long for a transfusion.”

With the high-definition restoration of Bewitched continuing across its later seasons, the Blu-ray releases of Seasons 5 and 6 showcase both the creative evolution and the shifting tonal dynamics of one of television’s most enduring sitcoms. These sets also mark two distinct eras: Season 5, the final full year with the original Darren, Dick York, and Season 6, the beginning of Dick Sargent’s tenure. Together, they present an illuminating look at how the series both changed and persevered across its mid-run turbulence.

Season 5

Season 5 benefits enormously from Sony’s ongoing HD remastering project. The clarity, color vibrancy, and cleanup match the high bar set by previous seasons, but with a noticeable uptick in polish. The fifth season’s palette—heavy with late-60s pastels, bright suburban exteriors, and increasingly elaborate magical effects—looks surprisingly fresh.

• Color reproduction is a highlight: Endora’s signature purples and greens have real pop, and Elizabeth Montgomery’s wardrobe, now fully embracing late-60s fashion, looks crisp and richly textured.

• Grain structure remains filmic but fine, consistent with a proper scan of well-preserved 35mm elements.

• Special effects, especially optical composites, inevitably show their seams more clearly in HD, but fans will appreciate the authenticity and lack of digital tampering.

Season 5 also seems slightly sharper than Season 4, suggesting improved elements or more refined scanning.

Season 6

Season 6 marks a modest dip in visual consistency, though not in overall quality. Still beautifully restored, the season occasionally exhibits:

• Minor fluctuations in sharpness, possibly due to varying condition of source elements.

• A handful of softer shots, likely inherent to original production and not the remaster.

That said, colors remain bold, grain is intact, and Montgomery’s performance shines with newfound immediacy thanks to the clarity of the transfer. Dick Sargent’s first appearance is also surprisingly vivid—his lighter hair, different facial features, and newer wardrobe give the season a slightly different visual tone, and the HD transfer captures the shift perfectly.

Overall, both seasons represent faithful, high-quality restorations, with Season 5 the stronger of the pair.

Both seasons present the expected DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono tracks. The remasters deliver clean, hiss-free dialogue with stable levels and no distortion. Music cues—particularly the iconic peppy opening theme—sound brighter than one might expect for their age.

There is no attempt to expand the soundstage or artificially widen effects, but the natural clarity suits the material. Occasional tape wow or minor age-related imperfections persist, but nothing that distracts significantly.

Season 5 Highlights

Season 5 is a transitional but still magical year, anchored by Dick York’s warm, rubbery comic presence even as his screen time begins to fluctuate due to health issues. Elizabeth Montgomery is at her most confident here, seamlessly blending Samantha’s elegance with the series’ playful humor.

Key episodes include:

• “Samantha’s Wedding Present” – A classic Endora mischief episode with strong physical comedy.

• “A Bunny for Tabitha” – A charming, kid-focused story that shows how the writers remained inventive five years in.

• “I Don’t Want to Be a Toad, I Want to Be a Butterfly” – A fan favorite with a whimsical transformation plot.

Recurring characters like Uncle Arthur, Serena, and Dr. Bombay appear frequently, and the show’s comedic rhythm remains strong.

Season 6 Highlights

Season 6 inevitably draws attention for the Darren recasting. Dick Sargent gives a gentler, more subdued performance than York, and the show adjusts accordingly. The comedy becomes slightly more domestic and less farcical, but Samantha’s wit and Endora’s ongoing Darren-vs.-witchcraft conflict remain central.

Strong episodes include:

• “Samantha and the Beanstalk” – A delightful fantasy outing that makes great use of practical effects.

• “Naming Samantha’s New Baby” – A standout family episode that embraces the show’s core themes of identity and acceptance.

• “Samantha’s Tarot Reader” – A fun Endora-driven plot with lively guest performances.

Season 6 isn’t as consistently sharp as the series’ earlier peak, but the charm endures and the episodes look and sound better than they ever have.

The Bewitched Seasons 5 and 6 Blu-ray releases continue the series’ excellent transition into high definition. Season 5 shines with some of the best image quality in the line so far, while Season 6—though a bit more uneven—remains an essential upgrade for fans. The lack of extras is disappointing, but the remastered episodes look and sound better than at any time since their original broadcasts.

For admirers of Elizabeth Montgomery’s iconic performance or collectors committed to classic television in its best possible form, these Blu-rays are highly recommended.