Leave it to Rod Serling to mention the War in Vietnam in America's living rooms when most of the population had never even heard of the place yet. In 1963, Vietnam was as far removed as some of the alien planets that Serling had been writing about. The plot here is simple but heartfelt and direct. Jack Klugman plays a bookie with a soft heart who finds out that his son is dying in Vietnam. After entering the "Zone", he encounters his son ("Pip") as a very young boy (Billy Mumy) while in an amusement park and decides to sacrifice himself in order that his son might live. Simply put, it's all about the love a father has for his child.
On face value, there's nothing unique about this entry in the series except for Serling's prognostications about a far away war that was about to become front page news. The acting from Klugman, who was virtually a "Twilight Zone" regular, is excellent as is the supporting players (Mumy and Bobby Diamond as the older Pip). After viewing this episode, one is left to wonder how many fathers would have done the same thing for their own sons if given the opportunity in this or any other war.
On face value, there's nothing unique about this entry in the series except for Serling's prognostications about a far away war that was about to become front page news. The acting from Klugman, who was virtually a "Twilight Zone" regular, is excellent as is the supporting players (Mumy and Bobby Diamond as the older Pip). After viewing this episode, one is left to wonder how many fathers would have done the same thing for their own sons if given the opportunity in this or any other war.