The plot line may be spare along with the two-person cast, but the 60-minutes manages real suspense. Poor Martha's (Lockhart) a lonely-hearts bride, while Luke's (Anderson) her gruff, rough-hewn intended. Trouble is Luke apparently doesn't know how to display tenderness toward the needy Martha. He's more fumbling than ardent, which Anderson brings off well. Then too, as reviewer Maxwell points out, his dwelling is one of the ugliest, coldest, most inhospitable hovels in TV annals. Martha tries to make the best of it, but then finds out about the suspicious death of his first wife. But more ominously, why's he's digging in that dank cellar and what's in the coffin-like box; plus, why were his first words to her about her bankbook. In short, Lassie's mom is in big trouble.
Fine acting from both principals, though Lockhart's a bit too attractive to be convincing. And for TV, that unusual double-bed scene makes sense, otherwise we might wonder if the two ever got together. Brisk pacing by director Newman prevents the sparse plot from dragging. Also, there's the thunderous scoring that insists something bad may happen any moment. Anyway, good ironic ending showing there was still life left in that final year.