Writing for Media- TV Script

Collaborated re-boot of the classic "Bewitched" series

Bewitched reboot (2018)

FADE IN: INTRO SONG

INT. BANQUET ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

DARREN (late 20s early 30s man) and SAM (late 20s early 30s woman) sit on the couch and look into the camera, holding hands.

Cameraman O.S.

So, how'd you guys meet?

DARREN

Well, we were in college, and since I was studying to be a psychiatrist-

SAM

And I was studying to be a pharmacist.

DARREN

We had a lot of similar classes.

CAMERAMAN O.S.

So who made the first move?

Darren and Sam look at each other, smile and laugh.

DARREN and SAM

I did.

He looks at her in confusion, she looks shocked then laughs it off.

SAM

You're right, I forgot, it was you.

FLASHBACK: INT. COLLEGE DINING HALL - LUNCHTIME

A younger Sam is walking with her tray full of food.

Sam v.o.

I was in the dining hall, and I had this whole tray of food. And then all of a sudden, like a total klutz-

Sam trips and the tray and food goes flying.

SAM V.O.

I tripped and everything went flying. It was so embarrassing. But then, Darren was there-

A younger Darren is right beside her.

SAM V.O.

And, like my Prince Charming, he came to the rescue.

Darren catches her from falling with just one arm and holds her in a tango dipping position.

SAM V.O.

He even caught all of my food. It was incredible.

Darren catches her food with his other hand. They look into each others' eyes and they sparkle.

back to present: int. banquet room

Darren

I honestly don't know what came over me, it was like magic or something. Or, you know, an adrenaline rush.

Sam has an expression of thinly veiled discomfort.

DARREN

(laughing)

And I said something corny, too, like, "I think you just fell for me," and then in my mindeveryone in the room got up and applauded and threw confetti.

Sam laughs awkwardly with Darren. The wedding planner pokes his head around the door.

Wedding planner

Darren? Your parents just arrived and they are already commenting on the service.

DARREN

Oh, okay, be right there!

(to Sam)

I'm gonna go take care of this. See you at the dinner!

Darren kisses Sam and leaves, she has a fake smile. It's just her and the camera now.

CAMERAMAN O.S.

So... he knows, right?

SAM

Um... no?

FLASHBACK: INT. COLLEGE DINING HALL - LUNCHTIME

Back to the memory of her cafeteria fiasco. It's before that moment. Sam watches Darren from the other side of the room. She does the iconic wiggled nose trick at him then gets up with her tray and walks, just like the memory before. Something comes over Darren magically and he runs over as Sam "trips" and her food and tray goes flying.

SAM

Yeah... So I've tried to tell him a few times...

FLASHBACK: EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT

Sam and Darren walk outside. The are still young.

DARREN

Wow, look at the sky. It's beautiful.

SAM

Darren, I need to tell you something. I'm a witch-

DARREN

(talking over her)

Wow, a shooting star!

(turns to her)

What? You're not a bitch! Don't say that!

Darren keeps walking. Sam looks at the camera as it ZOOMS IN on her irritated expression.

BACK TO PRESENT: INT. BANQUET ROOM

SAM

...Many times, actually.

Flashback: Their Apartment - LATE NIGHT

Sam and Darren are entering their place a little tipsy from a date night all dressed up.

DARREN

I swear, Samantha. You are absolutely bewitching.

SAM

Well, maybe it's because I'm a witch.

DARREN

Yeah, you witchy, sexy, sorceress, you.

He kisses her again and with a flick of her finger, all of the lights go off.

DARREN

Oh, wow, did we forget to pay the electric bill?

Darren walks to go inspect the electricity.

EXT. ON BOAT - SUNSET

Sam and Darren are having a romantic dinner on the boat, they're dressed nicely, there's champagne and lobster, there are pedals on the deck. "Beyond the Sea" is playing in the background.

SAM

Darren, this is all so nice! I can't believe you-

DARREN

(puts finger to her lips)

Hush! I wanted to give you everything you deserve.

SAM

Oh, Darren, I love you so much.

DARREN

I love you more than anything, Samantha. And that's why-

He gets on his knee and reaches into his pocket.

SAM

Oh, my God, Darren!

He pulls out the ring, and it's of a mediocre size.

SAM

Oh, my God... Darren.

DARREN

(looking away, holding back the tears)

I know it's not much, but it's everything I could give you-

Sam wiggles her nose and the ring becomes much more luxurious, maybe doubles in size and diamonds.

DARREN

(starts to look back at her)

And I wish I could-

He looks at the ring with confusion.

DARREN

Wow, the lighting really makes it look gigantic out here. Magic of the sea, am I right?

Both laugh nervously for their own reasons.

DARREN

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I love you Samantha, no matter what. And I want to always be with you, no matter what. Will you marry me?

SAM

Yes. Yes, yes, of course, Darren!

Darren and Sam kiss and put the ring on her finger.

BACK TO PRESENT: INT. BANQUET ROOM

SAM

I just... couldn't tell him.

CUT TO:

Sam and Darren talk with family and friends.

His family members seem less than enthusiastic, in contrast to Sam's family members who are loud and boisterously happy. Some of them don't seem quite human, especially as some people pass by the mirror and their reflections don't show, and some seem hairier than the typical person, with almost dog-like friendly personalities.

CUT TO:

Sam sits in the interviewing chair.

CAMERAMAN O.S.

Your family seems like a lot of fun. I hope they get along well with Darren's family. Speaking of which, how did his family react to your family's... differences?

Sam pales.

SAM

Uh... well...

CUT TO:

Sam talks with family members.

FAMILY MEMBER

So, what is he? A warlock or a sorcerer, or...?

SAM

Uh, well, he... certainly knows how to play with the mind!

FAMILY MEMBER

Exquisite! An experienced warlock, it seems!

SAM

Uh, sure...

One woman, a very suburban-looking white woman, is having what looks like a pleasant conversation with a woman with a sallow, thin face and long, wispy hair. She's wearing a long dress reminiscent of a nightgown. All of the sudden, the woman screams bloody murder, throwing her head back and her eyes bug out of her skull. The woman talking with her jolts and stares in horror. Everyone in the room jumps and stares.

The long-haired woman, a BANSHEE, stops abruptly, straightens her head, and smiles at the now-very-concerned suburban woman.

BANSHEE

I'm sorry, dear. Looks like someone just had an accident.

Suburban woman

Wha-? Are they okay?

BANSHEE

I don't think so.

The Banshee saunters off like nothing happened, leaving the suburban woman looking quite shaken.

CUT TO

Darren's parents, two middle-aged people belonging nowhere else but in a suburb, in the interviewing chair. They seem very uncomfortable.

DARREN'S MOM

They certainly are an... eclectic group.

DARREN'S DAD

And don't get us started on her mother.

CUT TO

ENDORA, Sam's mother, clad in an exotic, blue and green silken dress, bursts into the room in a cloud of pink smoke. She has a regal air about her, but her irritation is palpable.

ENDORA

(impatiently)

Where's the little boy marrying my daughter?

Everyone turns and stares.

Darren is gazing, terrified, into the camera.

CUT TO:

Darren sits in the interview chair, alone. He sits with his fists on his legs, looking determined.

DARREN

It's just a psychological thing. A state of mind. I'll get through to her. I help get through to my patients all the time...

(a little uneasily)

Easy-peasy...

CUT TO:

Endora sits in the interviewing chair.

ENDORA

I don't like him.

CUT TO:

DARREN

Deep down, I think she likes me. I mean, I'm a likable guy!

CUT TO:

ENDORA

I don't like him.

CUT TO:

DARREN

I mean, you can't hatesomeone you just met, right?

CUT TO:

ENDORA

I genuinely hate him. With every fiber of my magical being.

CUT TO:

Darren gives the camera a confident smile, but it seems a little forced.

CUT TO:

Endora, Sam, and Aunt Clara are in a storage room for decorations for the wedding.

ENDORA

These are really your decorations?

SAM

I thought the wedding could be a little more modest. You know, Darren's family is a little... quieter. I didn't want them to think I was obnoxious.

ENDORA

Obnoxious? It's your wedding day, it's supposed to be a festive celebration.

AUNT CLARA

Oh, these decorations simply won't do, here, let me just-

Aunt Clara waves her fingers about, muddling a spell she's trying to recall. The flowers begin to turn into thorny vines and cacti with flowers on them.

ENDORA

Oh, Clara, you're such a ditz.

AUNT CLARA

I just thought we could go for a desert flower kind of look. You don't see that often.

ENDORA

No, no, no, they ne

ed to be colorful and exotic!

Endora waves her hands around and the flowers start to become large and exotic, colorful and beautiful.

SAM

Please, stop, this really isn't necessary, we already chose them-

AUNT CLARA

That's okay, we can change them now!

SAM

Darren's going to notice and-

ENDORA

Of coursehe's going to notice! Look how beautiful and large these flowers are!

SAM

That's not what I meant-!

AUNT CLARA

He does have eyeballs, doesn't he?

ENDORA

(catching on; testily)

What do you mean, Sam?

Sam hesitates. Endora's eyes widen.

ENDORA CONT

Sam, you're not insinuating-!

AUNT CLARA

What, he won't like the flowers?

SAM

He doesn't know I'm a witch.

A deadly silence. Endora glares daggers at Sam.

AUNT CLARA

But will he like the flowers?

CUT TO:

dining room of hotel - rehearsal dinner

Everyone sits at assigned seats at circular tables. Darren and Sam sit together at a table with Darren's and Sam's parents. Darren's very normal family is spread out at some tables on one side and Sam's very odd family and friends spread out on the other side. The two groups eye each other with judgment.

The food is served by fancy looking waiters: it's chicken parmesan with asparagus.

ENDORA

Oh, this food looks simply atrocious!

AUNT CLARA

Well, I can fix that.

Aunt Clara wiggles her nose. Her plate of chicken parmesan and asparagus turns into a hearty heaping of lasagna. Sam pales while Darren's parents happen to look over at Aunt Clara's plate as the lasagna steam reaches their nose, missing its transformation.

DARREN'S MOM

How on Earth did you get lasagna?

AUNT CLARA

Oh, it's easy, sweatheart. I just-!

SAM

Ordered lasagna! She ordered lasagna. She's allergic to... asparagus.

Sam shoots Aunt Clara a warning glance.

AUNT CLARA

I thought I was allergic to broccoli?

ENDORA

Oh, well this plate simply won't do for me, either. I'll just have to-

She goes to wave her hand but Sam cuts her off.

SAM

(gritting her teeth)

Mother!You're not allergic to asparagus.You don't needto change your plate.

Endora glares at Sam, who returns the gaze. Everyone at the table squirms under the tension. Endora lifts her eyes away first, averting them to her plate.

ENDORA

Great point, dear.

Darren's mom and dad exchange a confused glance.

INT. BANQUET ROOM - SAME

Darren's mom and dad are sitting on the interviewing couch. They're holding each other's hands, like they're suffering together through a catastrophe.

DARREN'S MOM

It's not that we don't like sweet Sam and her family, it's just...

She glances at Darren's dad for help.

DARREN'S DAD

Eccentric. Yes, eccentric.

DARREN'S MOM

If they had just...

DARREN'S DAD

...told us they had allergies...

DARREN'S MOM

...yes! If they'd told us...

DARREN'S DAD

...We would've changed it!

DARREN'S MOM

Yes! Absolutely! Like, why is communication... so difficult with this family?

They sit and share a collective sigh that would remind one of impatient, privileged customers waiting to see the department store's manager.

INt. hallway outside dining room

Darren's mom and dad meet each other outside the bathrooms. They stand and talk. Darren's mom stops mid-sentence, gazing at something down the hall. Darren's dad turns around to look.

A vampire stands at the end of the hallway, staring at his phone. He appears to be of Romanian descent, and also clad in old-fashioned garb of Romanian royals. He stands in front of a large mirror hanging on the back wall, where his reflection doesn't show.

Darren's mom and dad stand there, gawking. They exchange a bewildered look. Darren's mom says something dismissive, throwing her hands up, and marches back into the DINING ROOM.

INt. dining room

Everyone is sitting down again and chatting. All seems peaceful for the first time. But not for long.

Darren stands up and taps his fork against his glass, making a dainty clinking noise. Sam glances up, looking nervous.

DARREN

Alrighty then, can I have your attention please!

Everyone settles and focuses on Darren.

DARREN

I would just like to say, thank you all for coming. It feels so right to have the whole family together now, don't you think?

Everyone sits uncomfortably and doesn't respond. Aunt Clara smiles, laughs, and claps.

DARREN

Now let's talk about my lovely bride, the star of the show, the main event. Samantha, you're the light of my life, the reason I get up in the morning. You inspire me everyday, and you bring a little magic into my life.

Darren's parentssmile and kind of roll their eyes. Endora looks to Sam.

ENDORA

(under her breath to Sam)

Simply magical.

Sam scowls at Endora and continues to listen and blush at Darren's speech.

DARREN

I couldn't imagine my life without you, and that's why I'm the luckiest man to get to spend the rest of my life with you.

One of Darren's DRUNK RELATIVE, whose tie is askew as well as his once-perfectly-gelled-back hair, raises a flourishing hand that knocks over someone's glass.

DARREN'S RELATIVE

(slurring)

You don't know that!

Everyone stares. Darren is frozen.

DARREN'S RELITIVE CONT

(slurring)

Ya got any proof, sonny boy?

Sam's RELATIVE, who is sober, speaks up.

SAM'S RELITIVE

Oh, my goodness! We almost forgot to do the tarot reading!

All of Sam's family lets out a collective "OHHH!" and all laugh and get riled up with excitement. Darren squints in confusion.

DARREN

The what?

Sam covers her face.

SAM

Oh, no.

SAM'S RELATIVE

Yes! I've got the cards right here! Let's do it now; quickly!

All of a sudden, Sam's guests move, plates of food are shoved away, some of her relatives move him to sit down with Sam at their now cleaned table. A relative sets a chair opposite of them at the table. Darren's parents look in confusion and horror. Endora sits down at the table and holds out an ancient looking box in front of her.

DARREN

I don't understand. Sam, what's going on?

SAM

Um, well, it's sort of a tradition in my family, I forgot to tell you about it-

ENDORA

For centuries, our family has held the tradition of tarot card readings on the eve of the wedding. It is always administered by the mother. My grandmother held it for my mother, my mother held it for me, and now, Samantha-

Everyone focuses on Sam.

ENDORA

I hold it for you.

Everyone is silent and listening intently and giving all of their focus to this reading, even Darren's guests are all watching in curiosity. Darren's parents stare.

CUT TO:

Darren's parents are sitting on the interview couch. A moment of shocked silence.

DARREN'S MOM

What the fu-!

CUT TO:

Endora begins to open the box and pulls out her tarot cards and places them on the table in front of her.

ENDORA

Darren?

DARREN

Y-yes?

ENDORA

Are prepared to know your future with my daughter?

A moment of silence.

ENDORA, CONT.

If there is a future?

SAM

Mother, please. We're not doing this-

Sam begins to get up.

SAM, CONT.

Darren, let's just go-

ENDORA

Now, Samantha, you of all people should understand that this has been a great tradition and it is never wrong.

AUNT CLARA

Endora, dear-

ENDORA

Silence, Clara. The cards do not lie, Samantha. And those who disobey what their fortune claims will suffer the consequences at their own doings.

Sam stands there angry, Darren looks up toher with a smile, trying to be optimistic, and holds her hand.

DARREN

C'mon, Sam, let's be a good sport about this. I'd like to share in your family traditions.

Sam hesitates then sits down.

SAM

Just give me the cards.

Endora hands Sam the stack of cards. Sam shuffles the cards, then hands the deck back to Endora. Endora takes the cards and splays them out in her hands face down for Sam and Darren. Sam chooses her three cards and puts them down in front of her and Darren. Endora puts her stack back in the box and looks at the couple.

ENDORA

The first card indicates your past. The second, your present, and the third-

DARREN

Your future! Wow, that's cool!

Endora gives him a glare for his interruption.

ENDORA

Are you ready to see your future?

DARREN

Absolutely.

Endora flips the first card. It is a picture of a hanged man.

ENDORA

The Hanged Man.

DARREN

What does that mean?

ENDORA

The Hanged Man is a sign of letting go and indecisions.

DARREN

So, the past has been full of indecisions?

SAM

Or maybe there are things to let go of from the past.

Sam and Endora eye each other.

ENDORA

That's certainly a way to read it. Now on to your present.

Endora flips over the second card. It is a picture of two people, a man anda woman.

ENDORA

Of course, the Lovers.

Darren puts an arm around Sam and kisses her.

DARREN

Wellthat's a good sign, I was scared that-

ENDORA

But it also has a double meaning of misalignment of values.

DARREN

What?

ENDORA

Perhaps there may be some things you two don't, or even won't, see eye to eye on.

SAM

But it also means love and unity, mother, don't forget.

DARREN

That's right, and any relationship has its ups and downs. C'mon, Endora, I'm so excited! I wanna see the future!

ENDORA

(with a wry smile)

Be careful what you wish for.

Endora flips over the third card. It is a picture of Death. Everyone gasps.

ENDORA

Death. Endings, distructionsand the like. That is your future.

DARREN

Well there must be a mistake-

SAM

Yes because that's not what all Death means-

ENDORA

But it certainly is its meaning often-

Sam stands up abruptly.

SAM

It also means change and new beginnings, mother.

ENDORA

Samantha, sit down, you're taking this-

SAM

(tersely)

I need some air.

Full scrit available upon request